Dispense about 20 mLs of the sodium silicate solution into a styrofoam cup. Avoid contact with the sodium silicate, it is irritating to the skin, so wear the vinyl gloves.

Pour 5 mL of 95% ethanol into your 10 mL graduate cylinder. This is an approximate volume. If you get a little more or a little less volume do not worry. If get too much pour the excess down the drain of the sink. If you would like to add food coloring, do it now.

Add the ethanol to the sodium silicate solution.

Stir the mixture until a solid forms. It should not take too long. Get all of the solid out of the styrofoam cup and put it into the center of your hand (be sure you have your vinyl gloves on!). Now using both hands carefully form a ball, or as close to a ball as you can get, by pressing your hands together. You may need some water to add some moisture to keep the 'ball' from coming apart.

Check out some of the properties of this polymer. Does is bounce? Do not bounce it too hard.

Find a ziplock bag, you get to keep this polymer also!