Using Tools
Flubber Exploration
R
Childrenwilluseavarietyoftoolstoexploreflubbertohelpgainconceptsofmeasurement,shapes,sizes,
andagreatwaybuildvocabulary.
Materials
Flubber(seerecipebelow)
Trays
Toolsincluding
o
Rulers
o
Measuringcups
o
Scissors
o
Cookiecutters
o
Scale
Try This!
Invitechildrentousetoolstoexploreflubberatthesetupstations.
Next,letchildrenusethetoolstomakedifferentshapesandthen
measurelength,volume,andweightofdifferentamountsof
flubber.
Followchildren’sinterestandsupportexplorationbyaskingquestionsandmodelingways
tomeasurethematerials.
Science Process Skills
Usingtools
Observations
Communication
Measuring
Classroom Implementation
Whilechildrenareexploringyoucanaskopen-endedquestionsbyasking:
Whattypesofshapescanyoumake?
Whatdoesthisremindyouof?
Howcanyoumaketheflubbermove?
Howmanysizescanyoumake?
Whatareotherwaysyoucansorttheshapes?
Dependingontheageofthechildren,howitispresentedwilllookdifferent.Thisisavery
openended,explorationactivity.Keepingthatinmind,herearesomesuggestions:
Grabaplasticcontainertosquishtheflubberaroundtomakedifferentnoises!
Placeflubberinabagandletchildrensquishitandmoveitaround.
Challengechildrentostretchtheflubberasfarastheycan–slowandsteadywins
therace!
FlubberRecipe
Materials and steps
3cupsofwater
2cupsofElmer’swhiteglue
Liquidwatercolor
2tsp20MuleTeamBorax
Inalargecontainercombineandmix:
1½cupsverywarmwater
2cupsElmerswhiteglue
Afewdropsofwatercolorand/orglitterifusingclearglue
Makesurethiscombinationiscompletelymixedbeforemovingon.
Inasmallcontainercombineandmix:
11/3cupsverywarmwater
2leveltsp20MuleTeamBorax.Adults,pleasedothisstep.
MakesuretheBoraxiscompletelydissolved.
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Combinetheglueandboraxmixtures:Mixwellusingyourhandsuntilalltheliquidis
absorbed.Youmayneedtosquish,mix,andbreakuptheflubbertogetitfullycombined.
Storetheflubberinaplastic,air-tightcontaineratroomtemperature.Forbestresults,
measurepreciselyandmixwellasnotedabove.
Whitevinegarremovesflubberfromcarpet,clothes,andhair.
Creditsandrights
DevelopedbytheSciencenterfortheCollaborativeforEarlyScienceLearning.
Contact:[email protected]
Copyright2017,Sciencenter,IthacaNY
ThisprojectwasmadepossibleinpartbytheInstituteofMuseumand
LibraryServices
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