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Shrinkers: Cook up some plastic!
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In this activity (on page 2 of the PDF), learners (with adult help and supervision) investigate how heat affects polystyrene plastic.

Squidgy Slime
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In this chemistry activity, learners transform two ingredients (4% polyvinyl alcohol solution and 4% borax solution) into gooey slime.

Milk Plastic
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In this activity, learners transform everyday milk into small plastic figurines and jewelry. Use this activity to introduce learners to monomers and polymers.

Choose Your Ooze
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During this activity, learners will make different versions of "ooze" using varied proportions of detergent and glue.

Gumdrop Chains and Shrinky Necklaces
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In this activity, learners thread gumdrops together to make a model of a polymer.

Unleakable Bag
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In this activity, learners explore the flexibility of polymer chains by pushing sharpened pencils through a Ziploc bag.

Bounce vs. Thud Balls
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Learners compare the properties of two balls that appear identical. One ball bounces, while the other ball "thuds." The “bounce” ball is made of the polymer polybutadiene (-C4H4-).

Snow Day!
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In this activity (on pages 4-5), learners make fake snow by adding water to the super-absorbant chemical from diapers, sodium polyacrylate.

Toy Chemistry
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In this playful, goopy activity, learners mix two liquids to create a solid (that sometimes acts like a liquid ), using basic household materials such as borax and glue.

Great Balls of Goop
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In this activity, learners mix white craft glue and borax solution together to produce a surprising new material: GOOP!

Polymers are Chains (K-2)
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In this activity, learners make a paper model of a polymer, then make Silly Putty, an actual polymer.

Flubber: Make a polymer!
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This activity (on page 2 of the PDF) features a recipe to create the stretchy polymer Flubber from Borax detergent, white glue, and water.

Slime
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Learners make slime from white school glue and Borax detergent. The long chain molecules of the white glue become cross-linked by the Borax into a big network.

The Unpoppable Balloon
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In this activity, learners explore polymer structure and their ability to reform around objects by attempting to stab a wooden skewer through a balloon without popping it.

Diaper Dissection
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This is written as a display, but can easily be adapted to a hands-on activity. Learners discover how all the parts of a diaper work together to keep babies dry and comfortable.