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In this activity, learners explore how nanotechnology is being used to create new types of protective fabrics.

In this chemistry activity, learners use guar gum to make slime. Use this activity to introduce learners to polymers, viscosity, and colloids.

In this up-cycling activity, learners recycle plastic bags and repurpose them into useful wallets.

In this activity, learners use chemistry to “self-assemble” gummy shapes. Learners discover that self-assembly is a process by which molecules and cells form themselves into functional structures.

In this activity, learners make a paper model of a polymer, then make Silly Putty, an actual polymer.

In this activity, learners discover how a super-absorbing material can be used to move a straw.

In this activity learners compare the bounciness of warm and cold racquetballs to see if temperature makes a difference in how well they bounce.

Heat makes some materials expand, and it makes others shrink.

In this activity, learners investigate the movement of water into and out of a polymer. Learners test the diffusion of water through gummy bears, which are made of sugar and gelatin (a polymer).

In this activity, learners thread gumdrops together to make a model of a polymer.

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

In this activity, learners discover how gelatin can be used as a medium for drug delivery. Learners create colored gelatin and then cut out pieces of the gelatin to simulate medicine (pills).

In this activity on page 8 of the PDF, learners make a slimy substance very similar to mucus, and sprinkle it with glitter to imitate the way that allergens are trapped.

In this activity on page 7 of the PDF, learners explore how engineers characterize building materials.

In this chemistry activity, learners make a slimy non-Newtonian fluid called "Gluep." Use this activity to introduce learners to polymers and viscosity.

In this activity, learners investigate the properties of plastic bags. Learners find out what happens when they slowly push a pencil through a plastic bag filled with water.

In this activity on page 4 of the PDF (Behind the Scenes with Chemistry), learners make some special effects, including snow and breaking glass, with supplies found in the home.

In this activity on page 10 of the PDF, learners develop an experiment to answer the following question: "How much water can the hydrogel in a baby diaper hold?" Use this activity to explore polymers,

Learners experiment with a piece of Silly Putty® by stretching, bouncing, and snapping it. They then create flubber, a similar substance, by mixing diluted glue and a solution of sodium borate.

In this activity, learners concoct some stretchy green goo called Gak. This activity will introduce learners to polymers, chemical reactions, and how scientists invent new materials.