Gak (Polymer Slime)

I learned this recipe for Gak (there are many out there) from my friend Les Stubbs.

Materials (per participant):

1 tsp Borax

6+1 tbsp water

1 tbsp elmer's school glue

Food colouring

Directions: Mix 1 tsp. Borax with 6 Tbsp. Water. In a separate container mix 1 Tbsp. Elmer’s School Glue with 1 Tbsp. Water. Add 1 or 2 drops of food colouring and mix well. Add Borax mixture to glue mixture and stir until a blob forms. Remove from the container and play with it.

Observe what happens as you knead it, play with it, let it sit on a flat surface, cut it with scissors, bounce it, pour it, hit it with your fist, roll it, snap it, etc. but DON’T EAT IT !!!!!

To keep it, place it in a Zip-lock bag and seal.

Explanation: By mixing the borax and glue, long stringy molecules called polymers are created. A polymer is a chemical made up of repeating identical components. Cellulose, which holds all plant cells together, is a good example; a single cellulose molecule is made up of billions of glucose (sugar) molecules. The "gak" polymer works in a similar way.

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