menu
search
person
The Science of Guinness World Records is a new travelling exhibition that allows visitors to break a world record for themselves!
On 19 June 2022, the exhibition visited Montreal Science Centre in Canada, where 491 people participated in the world’s largest slime making lesson.
Led by "local slime star" Yannick Bergeron, participants learned how to make slime from scratch, in addition to learning the science behind the process.
Here's the slime-making recipe used for the record attempt:
"Our slime recipe that we have been making at public events for years has broken a Guinness World Records title. It was so great!" - Christine Beaulieu, lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal
Making these slime worms is a great way to teach students about the science of polymers. Polymers are large molecular structures built up from smaller molecules bonded together.
When sodium alginate is mixed into the calcium chloride solution, the calcium serves as a binding molecule to produce long polymer chains.
Scientifically speaking, the sodium atoms present in the sodium alginate solution are replaced by calcium atoms. This phenomenon is called "cross-linking", which considerably solidifies the whole material as the polymer chains are unable to move independently of each other.
Sodium alginate is commonly used to soften and thicken processed foods such as ice cream or fruit pies.
In order to achieve the record, at least 90% of all students must remain in the lesson until the end. Additionally, every pupil must create the finished product by the end of the lesson.
Sara Arsenault, who helped organize the event, had her doubts about achieving the record: "What if the slime doesn't take? What if people left because the kids were tired?"
However, once the adjudicator revealed the result, all of Sara’s doubts were put to rest.
"When we heard that the Guinness World Records attempt was successful, it was euphoria! A record with 491 participants when we had 493 people admitted is almost a perfect score!"
"For me, as someone who flipped through the Guinness World Records books all my teenage years, it seemed impossible to ever set a record. It seemed out of reach. But no, anything is possible with a good starting idea and organization!" – Sara Arsenault
In September 2022, The Science of Guinness World Records exhibition travels to Imagination Station in Toledo, Ohio, which is one of the most prestigious science museums in the world.
The highly-interactive exhibition immerses visitors in experiences that will allow them to explore the science behind some of the most iconic world records.
By presenting real facts and stories, the exhibition will give visitors an understanding of their body and how it reacts and focuses when attempting to break a record.
Best of all, visitors get the chance to break a world record for themselves!
Visit Ripley’s website to learn more about The Science of Guinness World Records