Winter Session Week 4

It’s been fun playing in the snow with all of you!

Next Week:  Time to clear away all the snow.  We’ve got places to go.  Let’s get to work with tools and trucks.  Make way for the cars.

Monday:  Playtime in the gym!

Dance Like Snowflakes!  (Frere Jacques)

Dance like snowflakes; dance like snowflakes

In the air; in the air

Whirling, twirling snowflakes; whirling twirling snowflakes

Falling here.  Falling there.

Flubber!  (Information from OMSI:  https://www.omsi.edu/for-kids/flubber)

**Think a science museum is just for older kids?  OMSI has an awesome play area for toddlers!**

Flubber is a polymer made by a chemical reaction. Polymers are very long chains of repeating units. When the two solutions are combined, polyvinyl acetate chains (a polymer from the white glue) are linked together in a 3-dimensional arrangement by borate ions (from the Borax) and other chemical bonds. This produces the thick, sticky polymer called Flubber.

How to Make Flubber at Home:

The Ingredients

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3 cups Warm Water
2 cups Elmer’s White Glue
Liquid Water Color (food coloring stains)
20 Mule Team Borax, available in the grocery store laundry section.
(Please see NOTES section below for safety information about Borax.)
Glitter (optional)
White Vinegar (for cleaning)

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The Steps

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In a large container combine and mix:
1 ½ cups very warm water
2 cups Elmers white glue
A few drops of water color and/or glitter if using clear glue 

Make sure this combination is completely mixed

In a small container combine and mix:
1 1/3 cups very warm water
2 level tsp 20 Mule Team Borax. Adults, please do this step.
(Please see NOTES section below for safety information about Borax.) 

Make sure the Borax is completely dissolved.

Combine the glue and borax mixtures:
Mix well using your hands until all the liquid is absorbed. You may need to squish, mix, and break up the flubber to get it fully combined. Store the flubber in a plastic, air-tight container at room temperature. For best results, measure precisely and mix well as noted above.

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Notes About Saftey

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Adults, please keep the box of powdered borax out of the reach of children. If kept in an airtight container, the Flubber will keep for up to 2 weeks. Vinegar dissolves Flubber from carpet, hair, furniture, clothes, and pets. This recipe makes enough Flubber for six children.
 

We have the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on 20 Mule Team Borax available for you to read. Please click the link below to access the important safety information on the product.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) (PDF)  (https://www.omsi.edu/for-kids/flubber)