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6. Be patient! If the slime mixture is too dry, add a few more drops of water
until the slime is the right consistency. If the slime mixture is too wet,
simply add some more cornstarch. Try to get the mixture to flow like
honey.
7. When finished mixing the slime, hand clean the Discovery Lab with warm,
soapy water.
Note: This recipe for slime is non-toxic. However, do not taste or place the
slime near your eyes or mouth.
Use your Discovery Lab to build a beautiful terrarium!
What you need to supply:
Coarse pebbles (several cups; you may also use sand)
Sphagnum moss or Spanish moss (or use a 13” x 8” piece of fine mesh screen)
Potting soil (several cups)
Activated charcoal (several cups; available at pet stores or aquarium supply
stores)
Seeds or seedlings for small house plants or flowers (see “Choosing Plants”)
Small ornaments or decorations (optional)
What you need to do:
Note: If building the terrarium with gloves, make sure to not build layers
above the glove holes. Otherwise, terrarium materials will spill out of the
glove holes when removing the gloves. If creating a terrarium for long-term
use, start by installing the lab’s side caps.
1. Wash your Discovery Lab with warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly.
2. Begin with a layer of pebbles (or sand) on the bottom of the lab. Create a
layer about one inch thick.
3. Add a layer of activated charcoal to cover the pebble layer. The charcoal
helps filter the air and water, and keeps it fresh.
4. Add a layer of moss on top of the charcoal to keep the soil from falling
down into the pebbles. A very fine mesh screen will work too. Use mesh
screening instead of metal to prevent rusting.
5. Add a good layer of soil on top of the moss or screening (several inches is
fine). Don’t pack the soil down too much. It will settle over time and you
can always add more soil if needed.
6. Gently plant your seeds or add plants to the soil (see “Choosing Plants”).
Before you plant, think about what you want your terrarium to look like
over time. You may even want to sketch a plan on paper before you start.
Take care to give plants plenty of room to grow. Overcrowding your
terrarium can cause plants to compete for light and nutrients.
7. Make the terrarium yours. Add small ornaments, trinkets, or any other
decorations you like. Use your imagination.
8. Try adding some life! You may want to try housing a caterpillar or other
small creatures in your terrarium for a short time. Before you do, always
research what the creature needs to help it survive and to ensure your
terrarium is a good home. Caterpillars and other creatures might munch
on your plants, so make sure you make a good match.
9. If you add any type of animal to the terrarium for a long stay, you will
need to change the potting soil frequently to prevent waste buildup.
Choosing Plants:
• Most types of house plants can be grown in a terrarium. A very small mix
of plants of different colors and shapes works very well.
• Make sure the plants you choose will not grow too large to overcrowd or
shadow smaller plants.
• Use plants with similar sunlight and watering needs. Plants that grow
well in moderate, indirect sunlight work best.
• You may want to try a desert terrarium with cacti and other desert plants.
If you do, use sand or other potting soil that is specifically made for
desert environments.
General Care:
• Make sure you water your terrarium lab appropriately. Use a spray bottle
and moisten the plants and soil. The biggest mistake to make is watering
too much! If water builds up, leave the lid off to help water evaporate.
plants
moss or
screening
pebbles
or sand
soil
charcoal
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