Museum of Science, Boston

Books for Kids

  • Bartholomew and the Oobleck
    , by
    Dr. Seuss
  • Oobleck-GEMS Book
    , by
    Steve Spangler Science

Contact Us

Contact the Discovery Center and Living Lab staff at livinglab@mos.org

Oobleck: Early Elementary-Schoolers






  

    

  
Oobleck can be a fun science activity for people of all ages. We provide these generalizations as guidelines about what children at different ages might do during Oobleck explorations at the Discovery Center’s Experiment Station, in the kitchen at home, or at school.  Listed below are science and technology process skills that children may be practicing during their explorations. Please remember: each child develops at a different rate, so some children in each age group may be able to do some of the things described in the age group before or after their own.




How might early elementary schoolers explore Oobleck?



  

      


  

    
Experiment - Early Elementary Schoolers




Try This!


Fill a small, plastic cup with Oobleck.


Hypothesize (make a guess about) whether or not you can pour Oobleck out of a small cup. 


Now, test your hypothesis, and see if your guess was right!  


Think about possible reasons for why you got the results you did.  


Oobleck becomes firm (it acts like a solid) when force is applied - what forces could have been acting on the Oobleck as it was being poured?
  





  

    
Observe and Explore - Early Elementary Schoolers




Early elementary aged children can explore the unique properties of Oobleck.  They can try rolling Oobleck into a ball, and passing it to another person.


Grown-ups can ask children if they think Oobleck is a solid or a liquid.  Grown-ups can discuss the different properties of solids and liquids, and help kids think about which substance Oobleck is most like.


Oobleck Challenge: Can you pick up all of the Oobleck in your tray without it oozing through your hands?  


What can you do to the Oobleck to keep it from oozing?
  





  

    
Use Tools - Early Elementary Schoolers




Early Elementary Schoolers  can use the tools to pick up, move, or press the Oobleck. They can think of additional tools that they want to try using on the Oobleck.


Have you child try cutting Oobleck with a plastic knife.  


Is it easy or hard to cut Oobleck?  


Can you think of a way to make it easier for you to cut the Oobleck? Hint:Try moving the knife quickly and slowly through the Oobleck- which works better?
  





  

    
Very Special Clean Up - Early Elementary Schoolers




Remember our special clean-up instructions!


Oobleck can clog your sink drains, if not disposed of properly!  To clean up, rinse off your infant’s hands, and any tools/containers used, in a bowl filled with water.  Then let the bowl sit for several hours, or overnight.  


In the morning, all of the cornstarch will have settled to the bottom of the bowl.  You can then pour off the water into the sink, but make sure to dump the remaining Oobleck (which will be at the bottom) into the trash.