Glue

Humans have been using glue to hold things together for a long time. The oldest know glue is thought to be over 8,000 years old. This glue was determined to be collagen-based. Collagen is a fibrous protein found in cartilage and various connective tissue. If you boil it, it becomes gelatin or glue. Other substances that have been used as a glue or an adhesive , down through the ages, include flour, beeswax, tree pitch, egg whites and fish glues. It has been estimated that there are now more than 15, 000 glues sold today.

Humans are not the only creatures that have found uses for glue. Take the mussel. The gooey secret of mussel power has recently been discovered. The mussel uses protein as a "glue" to bind itself to rocks and ships. This glue was found to contain iron. The more iron, the stronger the glue. Scientists now believe that iron gives the glue it strength. It is hoped that this discovery will help scientists develop new superglues for surgical and household use.

One can do a lot of interesting things with glue. For example, one can make a "stick-o-meter" (or Zoom glue or A WonderNet Stickyometer!). Which glue is the stickiest? Or find out which tape is the tackiest. Or perhaps invent one's own glue (or milk glue or glues and adhesives or stick 'em up). Stained "Glass" Glue (or Glue Glass) anyone? The Elmer's Glue site has several activities for younger children.

Another option, is to investigate the properties of glue. What happens when glue is heated? What glue is the thickest or strongest? What else can one find to investigate about glue? What about making a glue polymer?

And finally, this to that site suggests what glue to use when gluing one material to another.

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