Shrinking Styrofoam Objects Safely

Cathy Cullicott

Here's a foolproof and very safe method for shrinking Styrofoam objects (no toxic fumes!). Unfortunately, it is a little expensive.

Ingredients:

• One ocean-going research vessel
• One deep dredge net and chain
• Over 1 mile of ocean water

Method:

• Decorate Styrofoam cups with permanent markers (Sharpies, etc).
• Stuff cups with paper towels
• Loosely place cups into a pillow case
• Tie off end of pillow case and attach to chain right above dredge net
• Lower dredge to ocean floor, drag until net is filled with rocks
• Bring dredge back up, untie pillow case

Cups are now shrunk to size of a thimble

By the way, what's happening scientifically is that the increased water pressure at depth in the ocean compresses the Styrofoam, and forces out the air. The deeper you go, the higher the pressure.

Science is so much fun!