Mess Around and Find Out Science Series Kicks Off (and It Was Slimy!)
The seasons are turning, kids are back in school, and that means a new program in Children’s Services at the Library: Mess Around and Find Out Science.
Kids are natural scientists, full of curiosity and a sense of adventure. In this three-session series running on the first Wednesdays September through November, we want to engage children’s need to learn hands-on. To this end, we provided materials and a basic outline of what to do. Then the children engage and the fun begins.
Slime-making was our first offering, and it didn’t disappoint. Everybody loves that tactile experience of slime, and when it’s a bright color, so much the better. We learned about how Elmer’s PVA (polyvinyl acetate) school glue and borax-based contact lens solution along with baking soda yields a wonderfully viscous gel-like substance this is more like a solid when pressure is applied, and more like a liquid without pressure, due to the cross-linking of borax with PVA molecules. The result is known as a non-Newtownian fluid with properties of both solid and liquid depending on the force exerted against it.
Upon witnessing this fascinating chemical transformation, one youngster queried in awe, “Am I doing science?”
This is exactly the response we were hoping for. There will be more science fun in the months ahead to inspire youngsters to mess around and find out!
Mess Around and Find Out is a new program aimed towards introducing S.T.E.M. to youth through engaging and hands-on activities. Join in on the fun every first Wednesday of the month at the San Rafael Downtown library.