Do you want to show your pupils or your children an experiment that is fun, safe, easy to clean and capable of producing truly amazing results? Well, with a little milk and vinegar you can create a plastic-like material in minutes. The experiment does not involve any risk, so you can later use the plastic obtained as you like.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Making the "Plastic"
Step 1. Get the supplies
For this experiment you will need 250ml of milk, 60ml of white vinegar, a saucepan or container for the microwave oven, a cotton cloth or strainer, a bowl, a tea towel and adult supervision. If you want to get more plastic or repeat the experiment, you will need more milk and vinegar.
- Any type of milk of animal origin will work: fully skimmed, 1% or 2% fat or whole. Whole milk or cream will work best. 1% or 2% fat milk may be less effective.
- To filter, you'll need an old T-shirt or cotton cloth.
- Since liquid ingredients will need to be heated, adult supervision is recommended.
Step 2. Heat 250ml of milk
Take 250 ml of milk. You can do this experiment by heating the milk in the microwave or on a stove. If you opt for the microwave, get a special container. If, on the other hand, you use the stove, pour the milk into a saucepan. Heat it until it comes to a boil.
- If you have a cooking thermometer, make sure the temperature reaches at least 50 ° C.
- Stir the milk continuously if you heat it on the stove.
- Ask an adult to help you during this stage.
- If you intend to use the microwave oven, put it on 50% of its power for about two minutes. Then increase the temperature in 30 second intervals until the milk is hot.
Step 3. Add 60ml of vinegar and mix
Even if the milk is still hot, pour all the vinegar into the container and stir for about a minute. In the meantime, you will notice that lumps begin to form. If not, the milk is likely not hot enough to trigger this reaction. Try again by increasing the temperature.
When the hot milk comes into contact with the vinegar, the casein separates from the rest of the liquid, aggregating to form lumps
Step 4. Filter the hot milk
If you're using an old shirt, wrap it around the opening of a jar or over a container. Secure it with a rubber band so it doesn't move. If you use the colander, just place it on the bowl. Let the milk cool a little and then filter it with the method of your choice.
As you pour it, you will see lumps settle inside the instrument of your choice
Step 5. Collect the lumps on a paper towel
If you are using a cloth, remove the elastic and wrap the contents. Squeeze it out to remove as much liquid as possible. If you use the colander, transfer it to a paper towel with your hands or a spoon.
Squeeze the residue into the napkin to get rid of the excess liquid
Part 2 of 2: Modeling and Decorating the "Plastic"
Step 1. Get the supplies
If you want to use the resulting plastic, you must do it within an hour, i.e. while the lumps are still malleable. You can use scalpels and cake molds, food coloring, glitter, and any tools to create decorations.
- If you want to get better results, try using modeling and sculpting tools.
- You can also use paints and markers once the plastic is completely dry.
Step 2. Knead
Before starting, you need to press all the lumpy residues so that you get a dough similar to plasticine. Once you have obtained a lump, knead it well. Work it with your hands for a few minutes until it is malleable and moldable.
Wait until the lumps have completely cooled before processing them
Step 3. Shape the dough using the scalpels and cake molds
Once you have finished kneading, you can roll it up and cut it the way you want with the cake scalpel. You can also use a stencil to give it other shapes. Remove the piece from the mold and set it aside so that it hardens. Alternatively, try modeling it to your liking, like you would clay or playdough.
Try adding a food coloring if you want all the shapes obtained to be the same color, or you can wait for them to harden and color them later. Add some food coloring and knead the dough until all the color is evenly distributed. Gel dyes are more effective than liquid ones
Step 4. Create spheres to assemble into a piece of jewelry
Work the dough into balls and make a hole in the center with a toothpick. This way, you will get some beads to thread into a necklace or bracelet. If you add a little glitter when they are still damp, they will stick as the dough dries.
Set them aside so they harden. Check them after a few days to make sure they are completely dry
Step 5. Wait a few days
Plastic made from milk takes a few days to dry completely. If you don't want to create anything else with the material you have obtained, do not touch it for a few days until it has hardened. If you have modeled it, you will have to wait until it is dry to use it.
Once ready, you can paint or decorate it as you wish
Step 6. Paint or color your creations
Using gouache or permanent markers, color your creations as you like. You must wait until the plastic is completely dry before using these colors.
