Creating slime fascinates students. Unfortunately, though intrigue is at its peak, the educational aspect of this activity is often minimal. This article describes a chemistry lab that closely relates to the slime lab and allows high school students to explore the concepts of chemical bonding, properties, and replacement reactions. It involves the synthesis not of slime, but of another cross-linked polymer: hydrogel. The hydrogel used in this activity is similar to those used in common medical applications--and just as entertaining as slime. It connects chemistry concepts to a modern medical issue and the cutting-edge research being done to address it. (Contains 2 figures and 6 online resources.)