Magnetic Slime VWR Essentials

Formulate Compounds and Test Physical Properties • Teach students about magnetism, states of matter, mixtures, and metric units. • Build problem-solving, inquiry, and engineering skills. This inquiry activity takes exploration of solids and liquids a step further by challenging students to formulate and test magnetic slime. Students observe physical properties of “pure” substances and track properties as they create various mixtures. Students then test and evaluate the performance of slime with a set of standardized challenges: the “gravity test,” “travel test” and “tower test.” Students synthesize their results and create a recipe for the “perfect” magnetic slime. Ordering Information: Kit includes 10 setups with metallic powder, compounds for formulating slime, disposable graduated cups with metric units, neodymium magnets, and a teacher’s guide. NGSS Standards: 5-PS1 Matter and Its Interactions 5-PS1-3. Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties. 5-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions 5-PS2-1. Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down. 3-5-ETS1 Engineering Design 3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. MS: Engineering Design MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success. MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.