Read or listen to a story together called, “Matter: See It, Touch It, Taste It, Smell It” by Darlene Ruth Stille. Then, have the child do a science experiment to make oobleck by gathering their materials, making a plan, making a prediction, testing their hypothesis, and comparing the results.

Families, check out this video for a tutorial on this learning plan.

Materials:

• 1 cup cornstarch

• ⅔ cup water

• Large mixing bowl

• Optional: tempura paint or food coloring to add color

• Space to get messy!

Start the activity by reading a story together about the different states of matter. Recommended reading, “Matter: See It, Touch It, Taste It, Smell It” by Darlene Ruth Stille which can be borrowed from a local library or purchased here. Or, families can play this read aloud video that can be viewed for free online here. During the story, talk about the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. 

After the story, talk to your child about how they are going to do a messy experiment now to make oobleck! First, make a plan with your child by describing that you are going to do an experiment to see what happens when you mix cornstarch, a solid, with water, a liquid. Tell your child the list of materials needed, and encourage them to help gather the materials. Have your child be the one to use measuring cups to measure 1 cup of cornstarch and ⅔ cup of water. The cornstarch can be pretty messy, but it washes right off clothing and can be cleaned up with just water. If your child does not enjoy being messy, you can have a wash cloth or paper towel nearby to help contain the mess.

Before the experiment begins, ask your child to make a prediction, or an educated guess, about what they think the oobleck will feel like, and if it will be solid, liquid, or gas. Then, explain that after you make a prediction, you test your hypothesis with an experiment! To make the oobleck, first pour in the water to the large mixing bowl. If you want to add color, you can add in tempura paint or food coloring. Adding color is optional. Next, have your child pour in the cornstarch. Now the messy part! Encourage your child to hand mix the cornstarch and the water together. They should dig in with both hands, and mix in all of the cornstarch with the water. Once it is fully incorporated, ask your child to take their hands out of the bowl and make an observation about the oobleck.

Can you roll the oobleck into a ball?

How about if you release the ball of oobleck?

Does the state of matter change? 

Talk about what happened with your child. Ideally, the oobleck will feel solid when it is patted or rolled into a ball, but when pressure is released, it acts like a liquid. Ask questions such as:

What do you predict will happen when we add in the cornstarch?

What happened? What did you observe?

How does our result compare to our prediction?

Should we try that experiment again?

Explaining the science of this experiment: Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid and acts differently than a normal solid or liquid. Making oobleck is a great science experiment to show how changes in pressure can change the properties of some materials. This is similar to how temperature changes the properties of water. Cold temperatures change water into ice. Whereas warm temperatures melt ice and turn it into a liquid.

You can support students in communicating what they learned by discussing what is happening in the experiment and making predictions about what will happen next. If children need additional support, grown-ups can model using scientific talk. For example, by saying, “I predict the oobleck will be bouncy!”

Through further practice, children can continue to explore solids, liquids, and gasses with the recommended learning activity at the end of the book to compare qualities of different solids. Also, you can talk to your child about solids, liquids, and gasses in daily routines as you witness changes in states of matter. For example, when boiling water, point out that the water is changing from a liquid to a gas. Also, when making ice, discuss how the water changes from a liquid to a solid.

Learning Standards:

Goal P-SCI 1. Child observes and describes observable phenomena (objects, materials, organisms, and events).

Goal P-SCI 2. Child engages in scientific talk.

Goal P-SCI 3. Child compares and categorizes observable phenomena.

Goal P-SCI 4. Child asks a question, gathers information, and makes predictions.

Goal P-SCI 5. Child plans and conducts investigations and experiments.

Goal P-SCI 6. Child analyzes results, draws conclusions, and communicates results.

Download the full Science Learning Plan here.