Oobleck, a curious non-Newtonian fluid that behaves as both a liquid and a solid, has fascinated both children and adults for years. This amazing substance offers an interactive and engaging learning experience for students, stimulating their curiosity in science. In this article, we will explore the concept of Oobleck and discuss how educators can successfully incorporate it into their lesson plans.
What is Oobleck?
Oobleck derives its name from the Dr. Seuss book “Bartholomew and the Oobleck,” where a mysterious substance falls from the sky. It is a simple mixture of cornstarch and water that displays unique properties based on pressure applied. When handled gently, it behaves like a liquid; however, when sudden force or pressure is applied, it acts more like a solid.
Why Teach About Oobleck?
Teaching students about Oobleck provides an opportunity to introduce the concept of non-Newtonian fluids and encourage them to observe and think critically about what they are experiencing. It also promotes hands-on experimentation and connects scientific concepts to real-world phenomena. Furthermore, creating Oobleck is safe, easy, and inexpensive, making it perfect for classroom activities.
Creating Oobleck in the Classroom:
1. Materials: To create Oobleck, you will need cornstarch, water, a mixing bowl or container large enough to hold your mixture—a spoon for mixing and optional food coloring if you’d like your Oobleck to be colorful.
2. Mixing: Instruct your students to mix two parts cornstarch with one part water in the container. They should start by adding small amounts of water while mixing continuously until they achieve the desired consistency.
3. Observations: Invite your students to observe the properties of their mixed substance closely. Encourage them to use various objects or their hands to explore the liquid-solid duality of Oobleck further.
4. Experiments: To engage your students further, consider experimenting with adding more water or cornstarch incrementally to explore how the Oobleck’s properties change. You can also introduce the concept of forces by diving deeper into how Oobleck responds to different pressures or impacts.
Lesson Plan Ideas:
1. Science Talk: Begin with a brief discussion about Isaac Newton and the properties of Newtonian fluids. Explain the difference between Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids using Oobleck as an example.
2. Hands-On Activity: Divide your students into small groups and let them make their own Oobleck. Encourage them to document their observations while they experiment with the substance, take notes, ask questions, or make hypotheses about its behavior.
3. Extension Activities: Incorporate creative writing, storytelling, or art projects that relate to Oobleck. For example, students could write a poem, create a comic strip, or develop an original science fiction story incorporating Oobleck as a plot element.
