Mad Science Goo
Experiment: Investigate a very different kind of liquid
In the 17th century, Sir Isaac Newton conducted experiments with liquids and declared that all liquids have a constant thickness. Well, he never played with Mad Science Goo!
This slime, which you can make at home, takes the shape of whatever container it is in (like a liquid), but can also act like a solid.
What You Need
Newspaper
Large bowl
Cornstarch
Water
Measuring Cup
Food coloring (optional)
Tablespoon
What To Do
Lay some newspaper under your work area. This could get messy.
Place a bowl in the center of the newspaper.
Pour a cup of cornstarch into the bowl. Add a few drops of food coloring if you wish.
Slowly pour some water (start with 1/2 cup) into the bowl, mixing the water and cornstarch together until all the powder is wet.
Keep adding water, little by little, until the mixture feels like a liquid when slowly mixed.
Try tapping on the surface with the back of a spoon. When the Goo is just right, it won’t splash like you would expect; it reacts like a solid! If your Mad Science Goo is too powdery, add a little water and mix again. If it’s too wet, add more cornstarch and mix.
Pick up a handful and squeeze it. Stop squeezing all of a sudden. What happens? What did you notice?
— Carole Jevons, Mad Science of Yakima County
What’s Going On?
The mixture feels solid when squeezed but flows like a liquid when released. This is because Mad Science Goo is a non-Newtonian fluid. This means that it does not have the same properties that most other fluids do (the ones described by Newton). Non-Newtonian fluids all share a unique property: Their thickness changes in response to pressure!
When you tapped the goo with the back of your spoon, you caused a sudden increase of pressure on the surface of the goo and the goo thickened. If you move your hand quickly through the goo, it resists your movement by becoming even thicker.
Did You Know?
The same principle applies to quicksand. If you ever find yourself trapped in quicksand, move very slowly toward the shore. The quicker you move, the thicker the quicksand will become around you, causing you to sink even further.
West Valley Church is launching a new ministry called Girlfriends Unlimited, which aims to connect women and help them establish meaningful relationships. A kick-off meeting titled “Let the Games Begin” will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 23. The cost is $7. Childcare provided for children ages 12 and under.
“Women are so busy today living life that they rarely take time for themselves,” says Girlfriends Unlimited Director Nichole Hamblin. “Here at Girlfriends Unlimited, we are all about having fun, giggling and getting to know other women.”
Members can get to know one another through participation in shared-interest groups, including scrapbooking, shopping, cooking, exercising, hiking, quilting and book clubs. “Another way is through Girlfriends Night Out, which includes time to pamper yourself, laugh, hang out and chat with girlfriends, play games, oh! and we always include chocolate,” Hamblin says.
West Valley Church is located at the corner of 72nd Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard in Yakima. To register, or for more information, call Nichole Hamblin at 966-1550 or visit girlfriendsunlimited.com/westvalleychurch.
SELAH LIBRARY, 115 W. Naches Ave., Selah; 698-7345. Preschool story time and craft from 10-10:45 a.m. Thursdays, except Nov. 26.
TERRACE HEIGHTS LIBRARY, 4011 Commonwealth Dr., Yakima; 457-5319. Story time from 10:15-11 a.m. Thursdays, except. Nov. 26.
CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE FAIR. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. “Fair-N-Dipity” is the theme of this annual agricultural fair featuring livestock exhibitions, concerts, rodeo, car racing, commercial exhibits, food concessions, carnival rides and games. Runs through Oct. 4. General admission: $12 adults, $9 seniors 65+, $7 youth ages 6-12. Tonight’s headline entertainment: REO Speedwagon at 7 p.m. State Fair Park, 1301 S. Fair Ave., Yakima. 248-7160. fairfun.com
YAKIMA LIBRARY, 102 N. Third St., Yakima; 452-8541. Preschool story time from 10:30-11 a.m. Thursdays, except Nov. 26.
TODDLER AND PRESCHOOL ART STUDIO. 10 a.m. to noon. Drop-in open studio for children age 5 and under. Cost: $5. Red Art Gallery, 30 N. Third St., Yakima. 469-2766.
CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE FAIR. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pro-West Rodeo Finals at 7 p.m. Headline entertainment: Curtis Salgado at 7:30 p.m. General admission: $12 adults, $9 seniors 65+, $7 youth ages 6-12. State Fair Park, 1301 S. Fair Ave., Yakima. 248-7160. fairfun.com
FUNKY FRIDAY NIGHT. 7-8:30 p.m. Rockin’ recreational swim featuring loud ‘80s music. Cost: $1 adults, $.50 youth, or $3.25 family. Lions Pool, 509 W. Pine St., Yakima; 575-6046.
LITTLE DRIBBLERS — SELAH | Boys and girls, ages 4-6. Learn basic basketball skills, as well as sportsmanship and teamwork. Group exercises and games. Parent assistance encouraged. Meets 6-6:45 p.m. Mondays, Nov. 2-Dec. 7 at Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St. Cost: $28-$38, depending on residency. Register with Selah Parks: 698-7302.
HOME DEPOT KIDS WORKSHOP. 9 a.m. to noon. Free drop-in projects for kids 5-12. The Home Depot, 2115 S. First St., Yakima. 452-3016.
ACE KIDS CLUB. 10 a.m. to noon. Free drop-in projects for kids ages 3-12. Hometown Ace Hardware, 3700 Tieton Drive, Yakima. 972-4400.
BORDERS BOOKS, 1700 E. Washington Ave., Union Gap; 248-4018. Story time at 11 a.m. Saturdays.
OFFICIAL YU-GI-OH! DUELIST KING TOURNAMENT. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Ron’s Coin & Book, 6 N. Third St., Yakima. 248-1117.
YAKIMA FARMERS MARKET. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In front of the Capitol Theatre at Third Street and Yakima Avenue. yakimafarmersmarket.org
Last Day! CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE FAIR. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pro-West Rodeo Finals at 2 p.m. Headline entertainment: Little River Band at 7:30 p.m. Breast Cancer Awareness Day; wearing pink is encouraged. General admission: $12 adults, $9 seniors 65+, $7 youth ages 6-12. State Fair Park, 1301 S. Fair Ave., Yakima. 248-7160. fairfun.com
MOPS — CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF SELAH. 9-11:30 a.m. Casual discussion group. Breakfast, coffee and childcare provided. Craft fee: $3. Christian Church of Selah, 112 N. Wenas, Selah. Erin: 594-1198.
MOM & BABY. 10 a.m. to noon. Discussion group for moms with infants under 1 year; bring your baby. Free. Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital’s Community Education in the Nob Hill Plaza, 2506 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima. 575-8484.
PRESCHOOL H2O PLAY. 10-11 a.m. Drop-in playtime for parents and tots, 6 months to 3 years. Cost: $3.75 adults; kids 3 and under are free. Lions Pool, 509 W. Pine St., Yakima; 575-6046.
Here on the farm, the changing of the seasons is just another opportunity for fun: Why not get lost in a massive corn maze, hop on a hay ride to pick the perfect pumpkin or sip a cup of just-pressed cider? For a cheap thrill, don’t miss Thompson’s pumpkin cannon. It’s a blast — guaranteed.
APPLE FEST AT THOMPSON’S FARM, 9535 Old Naches Hwy., Naches; 949-3450. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends in October and Oct. 30-31. Pumpkin cannons fire on the hour. Pumpkin patch, hay rides, corn maze, antique blacksmith shop and goat ladder. Homemade pumpkin donuts and hot cider for sale. Admission: $2 per car; small fee for some activities.
APPLE FESTIVAL AT BILL’S BERRY FARM. Saturdays in October. 3674 N. County Line Road, Grandview. Hay rides, homemade cider, pumpkin patch, other family activies. Bring a picnic. Info: Grandview Chamber, 509-786-3177.
GRANGER BERRY PATCH. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. through Oct. 31. 1733 Beam Road. Admission: $6 ages 13 and older, $5 ages 3-12. Walking tours of the grounds, corn and straw mazes, hay rides to the fort, games, exhibits in the barn, pumpkin carving contest, petting zoo. 509-854-7851.
JONES FARM FRUIT STAND, 2020 Thacker Road, off East Zillah Drive, Zillah; 829-6024. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Straw maze, hay bale pyramid with slide, duck pond and pumpkin patch, self-guided orchard walk, picnic area. Free admission. Pumpkins and produce for sale at the fruit stand.
OCTOBER DAYS AT THE BIG RED BARN, Washington Fruit Place at Barrett Orchards, 1209 Pecks Canyon Road, Yakima; 966-1275. Pumpkin patch, hay maze, self-guided orchard trail and apple tasting daily in October. Weekend hay rides and cider pressing. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission by donation.
SCHELL’S MASSIVE CORN MAZE AND FALL HARVEST FUNLAND, Schell’s Produce. Two locations: 3213 Tacoma St., just off Columbus and Main streets in Union Gap, 453-3200; and, three miles east of Toppenish on Highway 22 at Harris Road, 865-4511. Huge “UW v. WSU” corn maze and mini corn maze, straw bale maze, straw pyramid with slides, hay rides, pumpkin patch, farm animals, pumpkin chucker, bonfire pits and barbecues. Open daily through October: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Haunted corn maze and haunted house from 6:30-9:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 14 at Toppenish location. Admission includes a carving pumpkin: $8 adults, $6 children ages 3-10 and seniors 65+, children ages 2 and under free with paid adult.
One day only!
OCT. 17 — PUMPKIN PAINTING FOR CHILDREN. 10-11 a.m. Yakima County Master Gardeners invite children to paint a mini pumpkin grown in the Demonstration Garden at Ahtanum Youth Park, 1000 Ahtanum Road, Union Gap. Free. Doris: 966-0978.
OCT. 31 — PUMPKIN RUN. 10-4 p.m. Caboose ride, museum tour and free pumpkin for each child. Cost: $5 adults, $3 ages 12 and under. Northern Pacific Rail and Steam Museum, 10 S. Asotin Ave., Toppenish; 509-865-1911.
OCT. 31 — GOOD LIFE HARVEST FESTIVAL. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Demonstrations by regional artists, Halloween art activities for children, storytelling. Museum admission: $7 adults; children under 17 admitted free with paid adult admission during Family Fun Day events. Maryhill Museum of Art, south of Goldendale on State Route 14; maryhillmuseum.org; 509-773-3733. (Updated 10/26)
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LITTLE DRIBBLERS — SELAH | Boys and girls, ages 4-6. Learn basic basketball skills, as well as sportsmanship and teamwork. Group exercises and games. Parent assistance encouraged. Meets 6-6:45 p.m. Mondays, Nov. 2-Dec. 7 at Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St. Cost: $28-$38, depending on residency. Register with Selah Parks: 698-7302.
