DOWNEY, Calif. — At first, you might think, "Ewww, slime," but you might change your mind if you learn more about it. For science, technology, engineering and math, often referred to as STEM, educator Socorro Sperati, slime is the perfect gateway to get young minds interested in science. 

"Did you know that slime is science! It is a great way for kids to learn about STEM and how molecules turn into monomers and polymers," Sperati explained as she played with slime in her hands. "You can do it all with ingredients you find at home."

What You Need To Know

  • City of STEM will be held from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday on three different streaming channels at https://cityofstem.org/march27

  • Bill Nye and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will kick off the event with an exclusive conversation as part of the award-winning podcast "Science Rules! with Bill Nye"

  • Over 100 STEM partners will provide exciting live and recorded STEM content such as demonstrations, updates from real scientists and engineers, and special guests

  • This year, key additions to the event include a separate online stream of Spanish-language programming and features focused on women in STEM

The mobile learning center illuMINDS founder, Sperati, introduces children to STEM and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education through project-based and hands-on activities. And slime is perfect because it's safe to make at home with stuff you probably already have.

"Once you add the contact lens solution, this is where the science starts," Sperati said after mixing baking powder and Elmer's glue. "The contact lens solution is the activator, and this is what's going to start binding all the molecules together and making them into monomers. And the more you mix, the monomers turn into polymers and give it that stretchy texture that we love about slime."

Sperati will be participating in City of STEM, an annual science program organized by the Columbia Memorial Space Center. Because it will be virtual, they're producing three channels of content, 21 hours total, and one will be entirely in Spanish, which not only opens doors to more students but across generations as well.

María Elena Serratos is the program director at Discovery Cube Orange County, and she'll also be presenting for the Spanish language channel.

"I'm really excited about City of STEM being in Spanish not only because they're going to have access to more families, but also it's going to be in their language," Serratos said. "As a first-generation Mexican that came here at 15, having this access is just amazing because not only will the students be able to be a part of it, but the families as well."

Diana Trujillo is an aerospace engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and currently leads the team responsible for the Perseverance rover's robotic arm on Mars. She credits STEM education for making it all possible.

"If we want to answer one of the most fundamental questions, which is 'Are we alone in the universe?' we need to bring everybody's perspective," Trujillo said. "And speaking Spanish to actually convey the understanding of STEM education is something that is required. It's not a nice-to-have. It's a must."

Sperati couldn't agree more.

"Science and STEM are so important to teach our children, and it can be challenging, especially for families where English is a second language," Sperati said. "But that's why we need to bring these programs and make them accessible for all kids to be able to experience STEM and what STEM possibilities are out there for them."