Kids and Chemistry
Polymers
Includes Activities #1 - #5

Materials marked with an asterisk (*) are not included in the chemistry kit and need to be furnished by the teacher or parent.


Materials in Kit


Activity #1
How Can You Make Jiggle Jelly?

Materials needed:
     1 vial of borax powder
     1 container of water
     1 vial
     1 large spoon
     1 small spoon
     1 jar of Jiggle Jelly mix
     1 stirrer
     1 sealable storage box

Additional materials for everyone to use
     basin of soapy water
     paper towels
Activity #2
What are the Properties of Jiggle Jelly

Materials needed:
     1 bag of Jiggle Jelly (from previous activity)
     1 cup

Additional materials for everyone to use
     basin of soapy water
     paper towels
 
 
 
 

 
Activity #3
Can You Change the Properties of Jiggle Jelly?

Materials needed:
     1 large spoon
     1 jar of Jiggle Jelly Mix
     1 vial
     1 container of warm water
     1 wooden stirrer
     1 small spoon
     1 vial of borax solution
     plastic bag or plastic wrap (for take-home)

Additional material for everyone to use
     basin of soapy water
     paper towels
Activity #4
How Can You Compare the Rate of Flow of Polymers?

Discuss this question with your group: 

One important property of some polymers is their ability to flow. Imagine that you are an industrial chemist. Your boss has asked you to solve this problem. 

How can you compare the rate at which various 
polymers flow?
 
 

 
Activity #5
What is a Water-Grabber Polymer?

Materials needed:
     1 bag of water-grabber polymer
     1 vial
     1 small spoon
     1 large spoon
     1 container of water
     1 wooden stirrer

Additional material for everyone to use
     basin of soapy water

  
Students should be divided into groups of four. An adult supervisor for each group would be helpful, but is not required. Adult supervisors may be other teachers, volunteers, or parents.

Note: These are kitchen chemicals. Caution students not to eat, drink, smell, or splash chemicals of any kind. Safety goggles are recommended, but not required for this program.

See Chemistry Kit Booklet for activity details.

Demonstrations


 

Please contact Dr. Marie Hankins through email or by calling 800/813-4238 (outside Evansville) or 812/464-1716.

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