STEAM at Fairsted- Space Slime

As the site of the nation’s first full-scale, professional landscape architecture office, we have many examples of creative uses of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. We would love you to try out something inspired by the happenings of the Olmsted office!

Space Slime

To make outdoor spaces (landscapes) interesting for visitors, the Olmsteds mixed plants, structues, water, rocks, and other items so that there would be many kinds of colors and textures to experience, just like there are in nature. At Fairsted In the early 1900s, the Olmsteds designed landscapes for two observatories. An observatory has tools such as telescopes that help you see the colors and textures of outer space. Explore colors and textures of your own design with space slime!

Supplies needed:

Clear Washable School Glue
Water
Liquid Starch (Liquid starch can be found in grocery, craft, and online stores near laundry detergent)
Food Coloring
Glitter/Confetti stars (optional)
Optional: printable PDF of activity

Directions:

1. In a container or bowl, mix 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup glue.
2. Add food coloring and glitter and mix.
3. Add 1/4 cup liquid starch and stir vigorously. The liquid will thicken.
4. Knead the slime then set aside for 3 minutes. Play with your space slime!

The Science of Making Slime...The glue is a polymer, which is made of identical molecules that flow past each other, keeping the texture liquid along with the water. When you add the liquid starch, the borate ions in it connect to the molecules and cause them to tangle and become rubbery like slime.

Close up of Olmsted plan for University of Chicago Observatory (Job #03079)