How to Make Goo With Corn Starch & Water

Corn germ is ground and separated to extract the starch.

Materials with strange consistencies like jello and slime are always interesting to play with. Corn starch and water make not only a mixture with an interesting consistency but also a consistency that changes. The cornstarch is suspended in water and looks and acts like a liquid but, when pressure is applied, the cornstarch gathers together and the mixture solidifies. When the pressure is released, it returns to a liquid form. Corn starch goo is slightly messy but easy to make.

Things You'll Need

• 1 box of cornstarch
• 60 oz. pitcher of water
• Food coloring
• Large bowl

Instructions

1. Put the cornstarch in the bowl.

2. Add a few drops of food coloring to the pitcher of water. The more food coloring you add, the more intense the color.

3. Slowly pour a third of the pitcher into the bowl while mixing until all of the cornstarch is wet.

4. Slowly pour in more water until the consistency is like honey.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix with your hands to feel the consistency change as you add water.

• There is no exact amount of water, so add water very slowly to make sure you get the right consistency.

• The cornstarch can clog drains and should not be poured down them. Pour the mixture into a bag and then dispose of it in the garbage.

References

• Steve Spangler Science: Cornstarch Science- Quicksand Goo
• Science Bob; Oobleck --- The Corn Starch And Water Experiment; December 2009
• Little Shop of Physics: Cornstarch and Water Goo