Sewer Slime

Guar gum comes from the guar plant (also called the guaran plan), and people have found a lot of different and interesting uses for it.  It’s one of the primary substitutes for fat in low-fat and fat-free foods. Cooks like to  use guar gum in foods as it has 8 times the thickening power of cornstarch, so much less is needed for the recipe. Ice cream makers use it to keep ice crystals from forming inside the carton. Doctors use it as a laxative for their patients.

When we teach kids how to make slime using guar gum, they call it “fake fat” slime, mostly because it’s used in fat-free baking.  You can find guar gum in health food stores or order it online. We’re going to whip up a batch of slime using this “fake fat”. Ready?

Here’s what you do:
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Download Student Worksheet & Exercises

1. Fill a cup with 7 tablespoons of cold water.
2. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of guar gum, stir with a popsicle stick 10 times and stop, leaving the stick in.
3. Cautiously dip a pinkie into the cup, then rub it in their fingers. Does it smell?
4. Leave it for 2 minutes to thicken.
5. In a fresh cup, mix 1 teaspoon borax (sodium tetraborate) in one tablespoon water.
6. Add ½ teaspoon of the Borax Solution to the Guar solution. Stir and it will form a gel that looks like real boogers!

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