*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.

This workshop is part of the thematic project "Invigorating Lives," and is held at the pavilion "Playground of Life: Jellyfish Pavilion" as part of a series of fun, sensory Playful Inclusive STEAM Workshops.
At the Jellyfish Pavilion, there are intuitive instruments that, when touched, generate sound and light, and even influence the central "Tree of Creation." In this workshop, participants will create slime together while enjoying the experience of mixing various materials to form slimes with different textures. They will then decorate their slimes with colors, scents, and other embellishments. At the same time, by wearing special magical devices, they will experience the wonder of seeing and hearing sounds and lights emanating from the slime they created. In the end, participants will have the chance to enjoy the sound of their own slime and perform, creating a harmonious symphony where their body and slime come together as one, playing the "music of life."

Jelly Harmony enjoyable for all the people, even who cannot see or hear or move hands. Through this workshop, many students will be involved, and we hope participants will feel a sense of excitement and anticipation, and embrace the joy of diversity, realizing that they too are helping to shape the future and experiencing the invigorating feeling of life in motion.
*This workshop will be led by students.
*We would hold several workshops within these 2 hours.

【Reflection】
On August 4, the Jellyfish: Playground of Life Pavilion hosted a “Slime Instrument Workshop,” led primarily by a team of university students and young facilitators. In this hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) program, children created their own slime and transformed it into a playable instrument using a small “magical tool” — a simple electronic component.

The workshop space was filled with colorful samples and materials, sparking excitement among the children as they exclaimed, “I want to make this one!” Participants freely chose their favorite colors, scents, beads, and glitter to design unique creations. Although slime-making might appear easy, it came with its own challenges — some mixtures wouldn’t solidify, while others turned too runny. Yet, rather than giving up, the children experimented again and again, asking, “What if I try this?” or “Maybe I should mix a little more.” Through this process of trial and error, they displayed remarkable creativity and problem-solving — like true young researchers.

As soon as the signboard was set up, children began pulling their parents by the hand toward the booth, and within minutes the space was full of laughter and enthusiasm. Many siblings and friends joined together, each crafting entirely different designs and textures, teaching one another and comparing results. Their interactions — filled with curiosity, sharing, and discovery — embodied the essence of learning through play, a core principle of STEAM education.

In the final stage, participants attached a small electronic part prepared by the staff and experienced the moment when their handmade slime transformed into a musical instrument. The slime produced sound when touched, with pitch and tone changing based on movement and texture. The children’s astonishment was palpable — “Why does it make noise?” “Is it electricity?” “The sound changes when I touch it!” — and in their excitement, a natural curiosity for science began to bloom. In reality, the mechanism used the conductive properties of slime combined with a simple electrical circuit, subtly embedding real scientific and engineering principles into a playful experience.

This workshop also succeeded as a co-creative learning space where young facilitators and children created, experimented, and learned together. Through the familiar material of slime, science connected with art, and music merged with technology. The result was a joyful expression of the Jellyfish Pavilion’s mission — nurturing diverse forms of creativity and fostering a living rhythm of curiosity and imagination.
(University Students Team: Sou Nakajima, Sayaka Akiyama, Moe Shimada, Syouki Ichihashi)

【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Through the Slime Instrument Workshop, we—university students from steAm, the organizers—learned deeply from the boundless creativity and curiosity of the children who participated. Their innocent questions, such as “Why does it make sound?”, “Is it electricity?”, and “Why does the sound change when I touch it?” captured the very essence of learning itself and embodied the spirit of STEAM education, which bridges science and art. Building on this experience, we aim to further evolve the program into one that deepens both curiosity and understanding.

In future iterations, we plan to expand the variety of slime types available and, more importantly, move beyond simply making and playing slime-based instruments to co-creating the instruments themselves with the children. By assembling simple electronic circuits and using slime as a conductive medium, participants will be able to experience firsthand the principles of electricity and sound. This hands-on approach will connect science, engineering, music, and design in a natural and playful way—an authentic embodiment of the creative power of STEAM.

The university and youth team will continue to lead the workshop’s design and refinement. We will improve materials, recipes, and procedures to ensure consistent results while preserving the freedom for participants to express their own ideas. Enhanced reference samples and explanatory materials will also be prepared, creating an environment where children can actively explore their own “why?” questions and develop their sense of inquiry.

Looking ahead, we hope to expand this workshop beyond the Jellyfish Pavilion to schools, community centers, and science museums. Using slime—a familiar and enjoyable material—as a medium, we will provide opportunities for people of all ages to experience the intersection of science and art, bringing the spirit of STEAM learning into educational and public spaces.

This initiative, led by young people and co-created with children, is becoming a model for learning together across generations and disciplines. Through the Slime Instrument project, we aim to further develop a learning cycle that integrates making, understanding, and expressing, cultivating a future culture of education where creativity, curiosity, and life itself resonate in harmony.

steAm, Inc.