Sticky Science

This slime recipe is based on the classic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) formula with sodium tetraborate as the cross-linking agent. Doesn't that sound impressive?  What makes our slime formulation unlike anything else on the market is the addition of our stabilizing agents that help to reduce the growth of bacteria while preserving the stretchy, stringy, gooey properties of slime that everyone loves. Turn this ever popular science activity into a real learning experience that is filled with real fun.

What does it teach?Slime is a great way to introduce your class to the chemistry behind cross-linking solutions. The long-linking chains of molecules in the PVA are called polymers; the Borax solution acts as a cross-linking agent for these polymers and helps the chains connect. Slime solution is also a great illustration of what scientists call a “Non-Newtonian Fluid”… when you apply pressure it forms a sort of solid and breaks. When you let it flow like a liquid it easily stretches. All of these science secrets are made even better with the addition of our special coloring agent that fluoresces under black light. When the energy from the black light “excites” the fluorescent dye, you end up with a brightly glowing, very exciting, ooey, gooey experiment! (For the full glowing effect, you will need to purchase a large black light.)