Mind Body Soul Summer: Gelatin Slime Time

This can be a messy experiment but a great one for even the biggest slime expert!  We love to make slime so of course we were very excited to find a gelatin slime recipe to test!  Technically, it’s edible but it doesn’t taste that great!  We like to think of it as more “edible safe” than edible!  

MATERIALS:

Knox unflavored gelatin- three packs, corn syrup, water, food coloring, ¼ measuring cup

(The recipe will make some messy, slimy slime)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Boil water, amount to follow the packet recommendations(3).
2. Add drops of color to the water
3. Slowly combine the gelatin and colored water.  The mixture will be a little lumpy.  
4. Slowly add ¼ cup corn syrup  
5. Get ready for some messy fun!                                                                                                                                                       

WHAT’S HAPPENING:

The science behind slime involves polymers and Gelatin Slime is no different!  So what is a polymer?  A polymer is something that is made up of a chain of molecules.  In this case, when the water/gelatin mixture combines with the corn syrup, a new substance is formed.  No longer are the molecule chains of the gelatin mix able to freely flow.  The molecule chains are now intertwined with the corn syrup chains and together, create our Gelatin Slime.

TAKE IT A LITTLE FURTHER:

You can add more of the corn syrup, depending on the desired texture and consistency.  For example, if you add more corn syrup, you should see the slime will have long strands instead of being chunky.  The less corn syrup used, the more contained.  

This recipe calls for unflavored gelatin.  Will flavored gelatin give you the same results? 

Thanks to our sponsor, National Grid.