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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polystyrene Containers

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students conduct experiments to determine the effectiveness of polystyrene containers at preventing heat loss. In this polymers lesson, students design an experiment to determine how effective Styrofoam burger containers are at...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Do Things Come From?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the recycling process. In this recycling lesson, 2nd graders discuss the reasons for recycling and create storyboards to show where a specific material comes from. Students complete a worksheet as a follow-up...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Egg Walk Challenge

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design plastic shoes to walk on eggs without breaking them. In this pressure lesson, students consider all the factors needed to design shoes to walk on eggs without breaking them. Students calculate the PSI pressure, the force...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World of Plastics and Polymers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate plastics and learn they are giant molecules made of carbon atoms. In this polymers and plastics lesson, students perform 3 activities which all include making polymers from household items such as milk and vinegar,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Consider Your Options-Plastics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore plastics and what plastics students use to pack a lunch. In this plastics lesson plan, students observe each other pack lunches and take note of all the plastics used in packing the lunch. They discuss the impact of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plastics by the Numbers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate plastic resins and their uses. In this plastics lesson plan, students describe major plastic resins and what they are used for, they compare and contrast the properties of plastic resins and they list products that...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Recycling Plastics

For Students 5th - 8th
For this plastics worksheet, students read about how important it is to recycle plastics and why sorting the recycle materials is important. Students then complete 4 short answer questions.
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Interactive
Curated OER

Polymer Basics

For Teachers 7th - 10th
In this polymer worksheet, students use an on line site to complete sentences about plastics, their chemical make-up, their uses, their history and information about recycling plastics.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Integrating Environmental Science: Plastics

For Students 9th - 11th
In this plastics worksheet, students read about the uses of plastics and their environmental impact. Students answer questions about plastics and their use.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WS 10.9 Plastic Recycling

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this recycling worksheet, students search for as many types of plastics categorized with the resin identification codes and fill in a chart for each plastic type. They identify the product name, the category the plastic is in, the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plastic Peas

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the life cycle of certain plastics products and propose improved recycling legislation in their own communities.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thermoset Polymers

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students complete a lab activity with polymers to allow them to better understand how to make "observations".  In this science lesson students make measurements and collect data.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glurch II

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students make glurch using materials provided. In this chemistry lesson, students identify the physical properties of glurch. They compare its properties to commercially prepared ones.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plastic Packaging

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students collect data. In this math instructional activity, students collect data about recyclable materials. Students develop a plan that will help the environment. Recycling plastic containers is discussed.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Recycling Worksheet

For Students 2nd - 3rd
For this recycling worksheet, students sort recycling items into paper, plastic, or aluminum bins. Students sort 7 items total on this worksheet.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Industrial Processes of Polymers: How toys Are Made

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore how technology and science have created the plastics that make toys.  In this industrial processes lesson students work on their own injected molded product and a blow molded product.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Are What You Eat: Plastics and Marine Life

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students study the different types of plastics and see which ones sink or remain buoyant.  In this ocean environmental lesson students complete several handouts, and view a film on PBS.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Polymer Schoolhouse

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners study various objects and determine plastic and non-plastic.  In this creative lesson students get into groups and create a diorama to show the different properties they discovered. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Materials and Process: Plastics

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students investigate the development of plastics in the twentieth century. For this plastics lesson, students complete image based discussion activities for the pictures and methods of polymers. Students create an object timeline...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Mysterious Magic

For Students 2nd - 5th
In this salt moving instructional activity, students move salt with rubber bands, plastic, cans, and more, but don't touch it. Students follow 5 directions and answer 2 questions, and relate this to sound waves.
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Organizer
Curated OER

Plastic Parade: Recycling

For Students 3rd - 4th
For this recycling worksheet, students use ten plastic containers, collect data on the recycle number on each one, and conclude if most plastics are or are not recyclable in their town.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plastic Polymers

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students learn about plastic. In this plastic polymers lesson, students examine the properties of plastic, its variety of uses and how it is recycled.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling Relay Race

For Teachers K - 4th
Learners identify the reasons why recycling is important. In this recycling lesson plan, students practice sorting plastics into categories using recycling bins and types of plastics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Plastic

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students experiment to create a plastic solution. In this science lesson plan, students use sodium borax and polyvinyl alcohol to create their solution, then identify, discuss, and chart observations on the end product.