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This strange stuff can’t make up its mind- is it a liquid or a solid? If it can’t make up its mind, can you? Here is a clever way to play with the boundaries between states of matter. A little bit of this, a little bit of that and physical boundaries are not so immutable.

What do I need?

• newspaper
• measuring cups
• 1 cup of dry cornstarch
• large bowl or pan
• food coloring (if you want)
• 1/2 cup of water

What do I do?

1. Put newspaper down on your counter or table top
2. Put the cornstarch into the bowl. Add a drop or two of food coloring. (Use whatever colors you like.) Add water slowly, mixing the cornstarch and water with your fingers until all the powder is wet.
3. Keep adding water until the Ooze feels like a liquid when you’re mixing it.
4. Play around with your Ooze!
5. Pick up a handful and squeeze it. Stop squeezing and it will drip through your fingers.
6. When Ooze is just right, it won’t splash-it will feel solid. If your Ooze is too powdery, add a little more water. If it’s too wet, add more cornstarch.
7. Try putting a small plastic toy on the surface. Does it stay there or does it sink?

Special thanks to the Exploratorium Museum in San Francisco for this project.