Curated OER
Bouncing Balls
Students create a polymer ball in the lab. In this chemistry lesson plan, students identify the different properties of the polymer they created. They explain what type of chemical reaction took place.
Curated OER
Oil Embargo!
Ninth graders generate and analyze data to determine which and how much of two polymers best absorb oils, formulate procedure to accurately determine how many times its own weight particular polymer can absorb, and develop understanding...
Curated OER
Superballs
Young scholars mix two different solutions to become more familiar with molecules and polymers. In this chemistry lesson, students decide whether or not the reaction between two solutions is chemical or physical. Young scholars then...
Curated OER
Biology E3 Project Instructional Plan
Ninth graders design a device to treat aneurism. For this biology lesson, 9th graders create a polymer in the lab and explain its uses. They identify the different diseases affecting the circulatory system.
Curated OER
Making Slime: An Exercise in the Scientific method
Young scholars make a polymer but they won't be getting instructions. They'll get materials and they must figure it out on their own and report the actual steps needed back to the teacher.
Virginia Department of Education
Soap, Slime, and Creative Chromatography
Do you think chromatography paper suffers from separation anxiety? Young chemists make soap, slime, silly putty, and experiment with chromatography in this lesson. The material includes clear instructions for each experiment along with...
Curated OER
Condensation Polymerization: Preparation of Nylon 6/6
Students participate in a lab activity in which they synthesize nylon 6/6, calculate the percent yield by mass, identify the polymer as thermoplastic or thermoset, and determine the melting point, density and end-product use of the polymer.
Curated OER
Intrinsic Viscosity
Students treat a high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol polymer with potassium periodate. They measure the viscosity of polyvinyl alcohols.
Curated OER
Elastomers: The Best Bungee Cord
Students examine elastomeric polymers in a lab activity in which they design a bungee cord. Students must determine the tensile strength, percent elongation, and plot stress versus strain graphs for their experiments on rubber bands...
Curated OER
Condensation Polymerization: Preparation of Two Types of Polyesters
College-level or AP chemists use phthalic anhydride to synthesize two different polyesters, one linear and one cross-linked in structure. A detailed materials list and well-written procedures are provided on a lab sheet. Learners write...
Curated OER
The Influence of Initiator Concentration on the Molecular Weight of Polystyrene
This in-depth organic chemistry lab walks learners through an investigation of the effect of initiator concentration on the resulting molecular weight of polystyrene. It is important that you use this activity with experienced chemistry...
Curated OER
Monomer and Polymer Chemistry
Students explain monomer/polymer chemistry of starches and sugars.
Curated OER
The Chemistry of Life
Students study atoms and chemical compounds. They identify certain elements essential to human health, describe physical and chemical properties of water, and name four types of polymers unique to all life forms. They explain how each...
Curated OER
Polymerization Experiments
Students study the concepts of polymerization and the function of crosslinkage. For this polymer lesson students complete a lab activity and write down their observations.
Curated OER
Science Lesson: Chocolate Flavored Cherries
Students are able to identify start and stop sequences in DNA. They are able to model using restriction enzyme and ligase to remove sections of DNA and reattach them. Students are introduced to the process of recombinat DNA through the...
Curated OER
Plastic Polymers
Learners learn about plastic. In this plastic polymers lesson, students examine the properties of plastic, its variety of uses and how it is recycled.
Teach Engineering
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is one of several garbage patches around the world where garbage accumulates naturally. As part of a GIS unit that combines oceanography, environmental science, and life science, class members investigate...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math Lab
Students examine fabric. For this Applied Science lesson, students look at the fibers of fabric through a microscope. Students compare and contrast a variety of fibers.
Curated OER
Oobleck, Goop, and Glurch
Sixth graders use teacher prepared samples of substances. They perform the same observations and complete charts for each substance. After recording and analyzing their results, 6th graders make changes in the recipes to create a better...
Curated OER
Building Polymer Cup Speakers
High schoolers construct their own speaker using a cup, coil and magnet. In this physics lesson, students establish a criteria to test them. They present their working speakers in class.
Curated OER
Mystery Polymers
Students examine how some natural substances are polymers. In this polymer lesson students complete a lab and give examples of a physical change.
Curated OER
Building Polymer Cup Speakers
Students investigate sound waves and they build audio speakers. In this audio speakers and sound lesson, students explore how to make quality audio speakers. As a team they build their own speakers to have clarity in sound, quality in...
Curated OER
Make Slime
Students make slime. In this chemical reaction lesson, student use Borax to make a gel like solution. Students add all ingredients listed, add food coloring, and mix well. Students see first hand how chemicals react together and...
Cornell University
Polymerization
Explore condensation polymerization and additive polymerization through hands-on activities. Young scholars first model additive polymerization with paperclips. They finish the activity by using condensation polymerization to create a...