Fun Science Recipe: Super Putty Polymer

Science is pretty dull for most kids if the science lesson is only about reading and answering questions. But scientific theory is all about investigation, exploration, hypothesis and evaluation. Science is supposed to be interactive. Students need to use their hands, feet, bodies and all of their senses. Kids need to be inquistive, curious and inventive. They want to touch, probe and see how it works.

Here is a recipe that I have used with about 15 different groups of kids of all ages and interests: Super Putty (just like Silly Putty but I won’t plagarize the name). This recipe has never failed to turn out right. It is easy to make, have very few ingredients and are completely non-toxic. Although it produces lots of sticky and gooey fun and learning, it is not messy or difficult to clean up. Silly Putty is inexpensive to make also. You’ll find extension questions at the end of the article that will tie the activities into lesson plans and curricululm.

Using two ingredients, students will learn how a polymer (plastic) is developed. Polymers are the chemical equations for all sythnethic plastics like Teflon, nylon, vinyl, dacron, rayon as well as the more generic household plastics like bags, containers and dishes. A precursor to this lesson would include making a list or collage of all the different uses and kinds of plastic. Students can also explore and brainstorm on the characteristics of plastic (sturdy, yet pliable; non-living; melts in heat).

To make this simple plastic, Super Putty, mix equal parts of white school glue and liquid Laundry starch. I use only known and trusted brands of glue, like Elmers. I bought some from a dollar store that was grainy and did not work. The laundry starch comes in a bottle and is blue. You will find it with the laundry aides. I have used dollar store version and this works fine.

Place about two to three tablespoons of the glue and the starch into a styrofoam cup or other disposeable container. The starch will sit on the glue. Tell students to mix it with their fingers. As it blends, the starch will cause the glue to lose its stickiness. When the putty is blended thoroughly it will be rubbery and stretchy. It will not stick to the kids’ fingers. Students will have to ‘work’ it as you would with taffy or dough. If it doesn’t loose its stickiness, it either needs more starch or, more likely, it just needs more stretching and mixing. The more they stretch and play with it the more rubbery it becomes. This putty will stay fresh in a zippered plastic bag in the refrigerator for quite awhile. It will dry out if left out overnight, however.

When the putty is nice and rubbery, show students how to make air bubbles and pop them. They can actually rip the putty and it will just refirm itself. The putty will also take on the shape it occupies. You can show students that this putty is a liquid(it spreads to fill the area it is in) and a solid (it can hold a sort of shape and has solid mass). It also has some ability to bounce (a characteristic of some kinds of plastics and rubbers). It is a kind of latex also.

You can show students a picture of the actual rubbers trees which rubber comes from. Rubber is a very expensive product. These new polymers or plastics are a sturdy, less expensive alternative, although some are more toxic or involve toxic processes to produce.