Naked Science Forum
On the Lighter Side => Science Experiments => Topic started by: pieguana on 16/01/2014 16:10:56
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My Girl Scout troop of 8- and 9-year-olds is working on their "Potter" badge-- as in clay, not Harry. We've worked with polymer clay and will also work with mineral clay. I'm looking for a good, hands-on demonstration of the properties of clay-- perhaps something about plastic deformation. We made "slime" (aka "flubber"), from glue and borax already. My girls are very science-oriented and love these sorts of activities, so I'm hoping to bring some materials science to what is currently a very non-science project.
I welcome your suggestions!
Thanks, Jen
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I've seen soil with grey clay that is almost pure enough to make stuff out of, although I've heard that impurities cause problems with firing objects. Perhaps there would be a good place around your home town to dig some.
Here is a nice video about making one's own clay, along with some notes about plasticity of the clay, and what to select.
http://ceramicartsdaily.org/ceramic-supplies/pottery-clay/going-local-how-to-dig-and-process-your-own-clay/
As well as a description of making one's own clay.
http://www.goshen.edu/art/DeptPgs/rework.html