My Granddaughter's Science Fair Project - "Walking On Water (Ooblech)"

My granddaughter's project for her school's science fair was titled "Walking On Water."  Actually, she walked on a mixture of cornstarch and water (240 pounds of cornstarch and 24 gallons of water).  The mixture, named Ooblech by Dr. Seuss, is a liquid until it is stressed (pushed or pulled) then it becomes a solid only while it is stressed.  This allowed Priscilla to walk on top of the otherwise liquid Ooblech.  If she walked slow or stopped while on the Ooblech she would sink as if she was in quicksand.  And, as with quicksand, it is hard to get out after you sink!  If the Ooblech is allowed to dry completely, it returns to the original cornstarch powder.  Red food coloring was added for the pink color.

"Walking On Water"