1. TAKE A 7 OUNCE PLASTIC CUP AND SQUEEZE OUT ½ INCH OF WHITE GLUE INTO THE BOTTOM. (YOU CAN ESTIMATE THIS AMOUNT.)

2. ADD WATER INTO THE CUP UNTIL IT IS ABOUT 1/3 FULL.

3. PLACE TWO SPOONFULS OF BORAX (SODIUM BORATE) INTO THE SAME CUP. YOU CAN STILL BUY THIS AT SOME GROCERY STORES (MULE- TEAM BORAX WORKS GREAT!) LOOK IN THE LAUNDRY SOAP AREA.

4. TAKE YOUR PLASTIC SPOON AND STIR FOR ABOUT THREE MINUTES. AS YOU STIR, OBSERVE WHAT IS HAPPENING.

5. AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES (OR LESS) OF STIRRING, SCOOP OUT THE BLOB WITH YOUR HANDS. SQUEEZE IT TO REMOVE EXCESS WATER. IF THERE IS STILL GLUE PRESENT, PUT IT BACK INTO THE CUP AND ADD A LITTLE MORE BORAX. IF THE BLOB SEEMS TOO DRY, PUT IT BACK INTO THE CUP AND ADD A LITTLE MORE GLUE.

6. CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE JUST MADE A POLYMER! YOU CAN TRY TO BOUNCE IT , OR YOU CAN USE SMASH IT OUT ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND WATCH AS IT ABSORBS THE INK.

CLEAN-UP: THROW AWAY THE CUP, GLUE /BORAX SOLUTION, AND PLASTIC SPOON. TAKE YOUR GLOB AND PUT IT INTO A PLASTIC BAG. IF YOU STORE IT IN THE REFRIDGERATOR, IT WILL LAST FOR NEARLY ONE WEEK.

CAUTION: ADULT SUPERVISION IS RECOMENDED.

What's a polymer? A polymer is a large molecule formed the chemical linking of many smaller molecules into a long chain. Small molecular building units are called monomers. Monomers are joined into chains by process of repeated linking called polymerization. Useful polymers include: starch and wool (natural polymers), nylon, polyethylene ( a tough plastic material), and rubber.