Glowing Goo: DIY Glow-in-the-Dark Slime

 

Ages: 7-12

Objective: Engage children in a fun and hands-on experiment to create their own glow-in-the-dark slime while learning about polymers and phosphorescence.

Materials Needed:

1. Clear school glue (such as Elmer's Glue)
2. Liquid laundry detergent
3. Glow-in-the-dark paint or fluorescent pigment powder
4. Mixing bowl
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Stirring utensil (spoon or craft stick)
7. Optional: Blacklight or UV flashlight for enhanced glow effect
8. Optional: Glitter or sequins for added sparkle

Procedure:

1. Start by pouring 1/2 cup of clear school glue into the mixing bowl.

2. Add 1-2 tablespoons of glow-in-the-dark paint or fluorescent pigment powder to the glue. Stir well to mix the paint or pigment evenly into the glue.

3. Slowly add 1-2 tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent to the mixture, stirring continuously. As you stir, the slime will start to come together and thicken.

4. Continue adding small amounts of liquid laundry detergent and stirring until the slime reaches the desired consistency. It should be stretchy and slightly sticky, but not too runny.

5. Optional: Add glitter or sequins to the slime for added sparkle and visual interest. Mix well to distribute the glitter evenly throughout the slime.

6. Once the slime is fully mixed and has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the bowl and knead it with your hands for a few minutes to smooth out any lumps and improve its elasticity.

7. Turn off the lights or dim the room lights to see the glow-in-the-dark effect of the slime. If available, use a blacklight or UV flashlight to enhance the glow.

8. Store the slime in an airtight container when not in use to keep it fresh and prevent it from drying out.

Explanation:

• The DIY glow-in-the-dark slime experiment demonstrates the principles of polymer chemistry and phosphorescence.
• Clear school glue contains polyvinyl acetate, a type of polymer that forms long chains when mixed with the liquid laundry detergent. These chains give the slime its stretchy and elastic properties.
• The glow-in-the-dark paint or fluorescent pigment powder contains phosphors, which absorb and store light energy when exposed to light. When the lights are turned off, the phosphors release this stored energy in the form of visible light, causing the slime to glow.

Extensions:

1. Encourage children to experiment with different ratios of glue, laundry detergent, and glow-in-the-dark paint to see how it affects the consistency and glow intensity of the slime.
2. Discuss with children the science behind polymers and phosphorescence, using the experiment as a hands-on demonstration.
3. Explore other variations of the experiment, such as adding different colors of glow-in-the-dark paint or combining multiple colors to create swirls and patterns in the slime.
4. Challenge kids to create hypotheses and conduct experiments to test how factors such as temperature, light exposure, or the type of phosphorescent material used affect the glow-in-the-dark properties of the slime.
5. Host a "slime party" where children can make their own glow-in-the-dark slime and share their creations with each other.

Safety Note:

• Remind children not to ingest the slime or any of the materials used in the experiment. Supervise younger children closely to ensure they handle the materials safely and avoid getting slime in their eyes or mouth.