Squishy Turkeys

Introduction

Greetings! I am thankful that you have joined me today at Fizzlebop Labs. In fact, I’m feeling besonders dankbar (which means “extra thankful” in German). Our experiment is quite fun, and I think it’ll have you giggling a bit when you’re done. Be sure to have everyone participate and make their very own squishy turkey.

WARNING! This experiment requires borax. Safety first! Do not ingest borax.

Fizzlebop Supply List:

• Nitrile exam glove 
  
• Tall glass 
  
• 1/2 cup (120 mL) white glue 
  
• 1 cup (240 mL) water 
  
• Measuring cup (1 cup or 240 mL) 
  
• 1 tsp (5 g) borax powder 
  
• Colorful markers
  

The Experiment: ​

• Put the glove fingers down in a tall glass, and stretch the opening of the glove over the rim of the glass.
  
• Pour the glue into the glove.
  
• Pour 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of the water into the glove.
  
• Take the glove out of the glass, hold the glove closed, and carefully squish it to mix the contents.
  
• In a separate measuring cup, mix the borax with another 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) water. Pour the water and borax mixture into the glove.
  
• Knot the glove like a balloon, then squish the glove to mix all the ingredients.
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FIZZ TIP: Do not squish the glove too hard.

• Decorate your squishy turkey with markers.    

“Dr. Fizzlebop, what’s happening?” ​

In this experiment, two of the ingredients—glue and borax—mix together to form long chains of molecules. These chains are called polymers. The water allows these polymers to move around inside the glove. When they do, they stretch and stick together. ​

Collecting Your Family’s Data ​

• Describe the feeling of the glue-borax turkey when you squish it between your hands.        
• What do you think it would feel like if you had only filled the glove with water? ​