Elizabeth Reed, 15, of Kings Meadows High School, Sammy Newell, 16, of Poatina, Chloe Pavia, 15, of Cressy District High School, and chemistry PhD student Adele Wilson at the university's Newnham campus yesterday. Picture: WILL SWAN
To the average person it might look like slime, but this gooey substance is the basis for everyday plastic.
The creation of slime is part of the University of Tasmania's Science Experience summer series, and 27 grade 9-10 students from throughout the North have converged on the Newnham campus for three days of experiments.
Event co-ordinator Adele Wilson said the simple chemistry concoction of glue and borax, with a drop of food colouring for effect, created the slime that was the focus of day one of activities.
``We're looking at polymers and plastics and the different ways of making plastics,'' Ms Wilson said. ``Taking two liquids that are different and that we can make into a solid.''
Today students will examine body functions and medical laboratory techniques, and that will be followed tomorrow with a look at robotics and testing model boats at the Australian Maritime College.
The science series has been running for more than a decade and gives high school students the opportunity to try experiments usually only performed at a university level.
Ms Wilson said it also allowed students to try something they may not be offered in general science school classes and could pique their interest in studying it at university.
