STEM Activity: Magnetic Slime

Looking for a fun sensory activity? Make stretchy, gooey slime that’s magnetic!

Materials Needed

• Slime activator (4 ounces), such as the Colorations^® slime activator
• Liquid school glue (8 ounces)
• Large mixing bowl
• Iron filings (8 ounces)
• Magnet
• Safety glasses
• Disposable gloves

At-Home Instructions

This activity uses iron filings, so as you follow these instructions, it’s important that you have adult supervision for a safe process. When handling the iron filings, make safety your top priority – avoid inhaling, ingesting, or making any contact with anyone’s eyes or skin. You also should make sure you have proper ventilation and safe storage for all your activity materials.

1. In the mixing bowl, combine the slime activator and glue.
    
2. Mix and knead the solution until it turns into a slime.
    
3. Wearing the safety glasses and disposable gloves, fold in all the iron filings from the container and mix well.
    
4. Knead your slime until its consistency is smooth.
    
5. Explore how the slime interacts with the magnet.
    
6. Remember to wash your hands after exploring the slime!

Educators: Use this activity in the classroom with these modifications

Scale up this activity for a classroom setting by using a larger slime kit, such as the Colorations slime activator and glue kit, and iron filings ordered in bulk.

Use this activity to kick-start a discussion about magnetism in the classroom. Introduce National Inventors Hall of Fame^® Inductees Lubomyr Romankiw and David Thompson, who invented magnetic thin-film storage heads. These innovators used magnets to revolutionize how we store data on computers. Lead a brainstorming session with your class and ask your students to come up with different ways magnets and magnetic inventions could improve everyday life.

What Are We Discovering?

Some materials change states from solids to liquids to gases when the temperature changes. When you boil water, it turns into a gas. When you freeze water, it turns into a solid. You probably already knew that, but did you know that other materials change states when they are under pressure? Magnetic slime is special because it is non-Newtonian. That means that when you apply quick pressure to the slime, it increases its viscosity, or thickness. When you slap the slime, it feels hard because it forces the molecules to bind together. When you slowly lower your hand into the slime, it will sink right in. Slowly applying pressure gives the slime particles time to move out of the way.

Looking for More STEM Activities?

Discover more fun and educational science activities by exploring our blog or by visiting our Camp Invention Facebook page.