• Home
  • BLOG
  • Shop
  • Jarring Science Club Login
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

STEM Activities for Kids- STEAMsational

Science experiments and STEM activities for kids!

  • Home
  • About
  • STEM Activities
  • Science Experiments
  • Jarring Science Club

in STEM Activities

CORNSTARCH QUICKSAND: A LESSON IN VISCOSITY AND NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS

Save this idea for later!

790shares

We love science and STEM activities. A couple of years ago, we did a whole month of STEM activities with our 31 days of STEM activities series. Today’s cornstarch quicksand science experiment was our favorite science experiment for kids of the month.

We loved how the cornstarch mixture became a solid and a liquid at the same time. This classic oobleck science experiment is always a hit for kids, and makes the perfect quick science experiment! You’ll love how much fun it is to do with kids, and kids will love how messy it is.

Since the experiment is messy, it’s best to do it outside, or warn parents in advance to dress their kids in play-safe clothing on the day you’ll be doing this oobleck science experiment.

Need a quick science experiment? Cornstarch quicksand is easy to make and teaches an interesting science lesson in non-Newtonian fluids at the same time. Science experiments with cornstarch are tons of fun, and this conrstarch science project is suitable for kids of all ages! #science #stem #stemed #scienceexperiments #kidsactivities #handsonlearning

HOW TO SET UP A CORNSTARCH QUICKSAND SCIENCE EXPERIMENT WITH KIDS

Kids will love doing this messy science experiment! For more messy science, try making laundry starch slime, make an erupting slime volcano, or make exploding eggs!

WHY DO SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS WITH KIDS?

Science is a logical system for exploring our world. Each science experiment should include:

A Question

Kids should start every science experiment with a question, even if that question is just “what will happen?”

A Hypothesis

Before doing any experiment, children should record what they believe will happen.

An Experiment

This is where the fun part comes into play. Test the hypothesis to determine if it answers the question fully.

A Recording and Analysis

As the test is completed, record what happened and analyze why.

A Re-test

Try different variables and try a new test to see if the original answer is confirmed or disproved.

When you include these elements in your science experiment, you can learn a lot about the world, creative thinking, and applying logic to problem solving. Even if kids don’t go into science-related fields when they grow up, these skills can be taken anywhere in life.

You may also like: Quick STEM Activities for Kids

GET THE SCIENCE EXPERIMENT WORKSHEETS FOR KIDS!

science experiment worksheet

Expand on your science experiments with the free printable science experiment worksheet. It’s the perfect way to help children go through the scientific process with every science experiment they try.

 

CORNSTARCH QUICKSAND OOBLECK SCIENCE EXPLANATION

Cornstarch and water mixed acts both like a solid and a liquid. Cornstarch and water is a suspension mixture with a solid dispersed into a liquid. When you press the mixture quickly, the starch molecules close together.

This causes the water to get trapped between the starch chains and create a semi-rigid structure. When you press slowly, this starch chain “block” doesn’t happen and the mixture flows like a liquid.

Because the viscosity of the mixture changes with force rather than heat, the cornstarch mixture is known as a non-Newtonian fluid.

Slime is another fun non-Newtonian fluid.

Need a quick science experiment? Cornstarch quicksand is easy to make and teaches an interesting science lesson in non-Newtonian fluids at the same time. Science experiments with cornstarch are tons of fun, and this conrstarch science project is suitable for kids of all ages! #science #stem #stemed #scienceexperiments #kidsactivities #handsonlearning

Don’t Miss: Classic Science Fair Projects

WHAT DO KIDS LEARN DOING THE CORNSTARCH QUICKSAND SCIENCE EXPERIMENT?

The biggest takeaway from this science experiment are non-Newtonian fluid science and viscosity science. Pressure causes the molecules in the starch to cling together, seizing up the mixture. But when you relax, the molecules relax and flow around your hand or foot or whatever they are on. Challenge your class to see what other non-Newtonian fluids they can think of. What makes these fluids different from regular fluids like water and syrup? Experiment with different amounts of cornstarch and water to see how long it takes for the mixture to become a full liquid, when it becomes a full solid, and what levels of viscosity there are in between those extremes.

You’ll Also Love: STEM Activities You Can Do in Jars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR THE CONRSTARCH QUICKSAND SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

This post contains affiliate links.

Need a quick science experiment? Cornstarch quicksand is easy to make and teaches an interesting science lesson in non-Newtonian fluids at the same time. Science experiments with cornstarch are tons of fun, and this conrstarch science project is suitable for kids of all ages!

For this experiment you will need:

  • 1 box of corn starch
  • Water
  • A large bowl
  • Food coloring

Argo Corn Starch 16 oz. Box (Pack of 4)Argo Corn Starch 16 oz. Box (Pack of 4)18 x 26 Inch Plastic Tray White18 x 26 Inch Plastic Tray WhiteFood Coloring Liqua-Gel - 12 Color Variety Kit in .75 fl. oz. (20ml) BottlesFood Coloring Liqua-Gel – 12 Color Variety Kit in .75 fl. oz. (20ml) BottlesEngino Discovering STEM Newton's Laws Inertia, Momentum, Kinetic & Potential Energy Construction KitEngino Discovering STEM Newton’s Laws Inertia, Momentum, Kinetic & Potential Energy Construction KitThe Science Book (Big Ideas Simply Explained)The Science Book (Big Ideas Simply Explained)The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You!The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You!The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It WorksThe Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works

DOING THE CORNSTARCH SCIENCE PROJECT

Need a quick science experiment? Cornstarch quicksand is easy to make and teaches an interesting science lesson in non-Newtonian fluids at the same time. Science experiments with cornstarch are tons of fun, and this conrstarch science project is suitable for kids of all ages!

Mix the corn starch and the water together at a ratio of about 10 parts starch to 1 part water. Start the mixture by adding about ½ of a cup of cornstarch to about 1 cup of water.

Need a quick science experiment? Cornstarch quicksand is easy to make and teaches an interesting science lesson in non-Newtonian fluids at the same time. Science experiments with cornstarch are tons of fun, and this conrstarch science project is suitable for kids of all ages!

Play with the mixture until it reaches the consistency that you want. You’re aiming for a texture that is runny when relaxed, but still firm enough to seize up when they hit the mixture.

Need a quick science experiment? Cornstarch quicksand is easy to make and teaches an interesting science lesson in non-Newtonian fluids at the same time. Science experiments with cornstarch are tons of fun, and this conrstarch science project is suitable for kids of all ages!

CONRSTARCH QUICKSAND SCIENCE EXPERIMENT RESULTS

Need a quick science experiment? Cornstarch quicksand is easy to make and teaches an interesting science lesson in non-Newtonian fluids at the same time. Science experiments with cornstarch are tons of fun, and this conrstarch science project is suitable for kids of all ages!

This cornstarch science experiment is messy, but is always a favorite with kids. Take it outside and make a big batch in a bucket or shallow pan. Then have the kids run across it really quickly. This makes it appear as if they are walking on water! Since they apply force when running, the mixture remains firm. But if they relax and stand still, the will sink into the goo. It’s just like quicksand!

Need a quick science experiment? Cornstarch quicksand is easy to make and teaches an interesting science lesson in non-Newtonian fluids at the same time. Science experiments with cornstarch are tons of fun, and this conrstarch science project is suitable for kids of all ages! #science #stem #stemed #scienceexperiments #kidsactivities #handsonlearning

Read the other posts in the 31 days of STEM activities for kids series!

science experiment worksheet

STEM Projects for kids

Looking for science experiments for kids? These school science projects for kids are the perfect science projects for kids to use for school science fairs and science learning with kids! #science #scienceexperiment #stemactivities #stem

Interested in STEM activities for kids? These must-have supplies for science experiments and STEM activities will keep your STEM learning going year-round!

 

Save this idea for later!

790shares

Filed Under: STEM Activities

About Brenda Priddy

Brenda grew up thinking she hated science. But when her 4-year- old daughter was more interested in reading science facts than fairy tales, Brenda realized she had to learn more. Through simple at-home science experiments, Brenda developed a passion for science and now works as a STEMed advocate with a team of science educators to create hands-on STEM projects and curriculum for kids.

« Classic Baking Soda Volcano Science Experiment
Bread Mold Experiment »

What is STEAM?

STEAM activities for kids promote the idea that science, technology, engineering, art, and math can all work together to help kids become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators!

Join us on our journey to discover just how much fun science experiments can be.

What we do… 

STEAMsational offers STEM and science lesson plans and teaching resources to provide a firm STEM foundation for children in the classroom or home.

All you need to do is find your supplies, gather your scientists, and let the innovation unfold.

RSS Latest Activities

  • How to Trap a Leprechaun STEM Activity
  • 8 Creative and Fun March STEM Activities for Elementary
  • St. Patrick’s Day STEAM Activities for Elementary
Featured on:

Privacy Policy   Store Policies
STEAMsational is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Copyright © 2021 · Market theme by Restored 316