Curated OER
WS 10.9 Plastic Recycling
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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Simple Tensile Testing of Polymeric Films and Sheeting
Chemistry classes pretend to be consultants to a grocery story trying to decide what polymer to use for therir new non-paper bags. They prepare tensile bars and use them to test plastic film samples for strength and stretchability. Both...
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Investigation of Crystallinity in Polymeric Materials
A kaleidoscope is constructed using polarizing polymer paper and then low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and polypropylene are all melted onto individual glass slides and examined through a microscope. The intent is to...
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The Study of Molecular Orientation by Linear Dimension Change of Polymeric Films
Students investigate the linear dimension change of heated plastic film and relate the results to processing and service use of the materials. They calculate percent change in dimension as related to anisotropy and molecular reorientation.
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From Polymers to Bioplastics: Looking Toward Finding Renewable Resources
Students investigate the properties of polymers. In this chemistry lesson, students explain the importance of energy sources. They produce a bioplastic from the lab and evaluate its structural integrity.
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Playing With Polymers
Students explore the world of polymers. In this chemistry lesson, students make polymers and observe their properties. Follow-up questions and extension activities are included.
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Polymer Rockets
Students examine polymer rockets and complete an activity. In this rockets activity students design, create and test a polymer rocket and have a blast off competition.
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Cross-Linked Polymer Lab
High schoolers use short-chain polymers and borate ions to produce cross-linked polymers in the lab. In this cross-linked polymer lesson plan, students produce polyvinyl acetate slime and polyvinyl alcohol slime and test their physical...
American Chemical Society
Man and Materials Through History
From the start of the Industrial Revolution, it only took 147 years for someone to invent plastic. This may seem like a long time, but in the history of inventing or discovering new materials, this is incredibly fast. An informative and...
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Thermoset Polymers
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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Industrial Processes of Polymers: How toys Are Made
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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Materials and Process: Plastics
Students investigate the development of plastics in the twentieth century. In 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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The Polymer Schoolhouse
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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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.
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Exploring the Physical and Chemical Properties of Polymers
Students identify the physical and chemical properties and explore the differences. In physical and chemical property lesson students test polymers for the differences between the physical and chemical properties, record their...
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Polymers, Where Are You?
Students study polymers and what they are used for. For this investigative lesson students view a video on ploymers, and research on the Internet specific polymers and processes.
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Making Plastic
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.
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Properties and Perfectly Polymeric Sodas
Students examine physical and chemical properties of plastics, interfaces of plastics, and forms of plastics. In three lab activities, students discover the two characteristic responses of plastics to heating, thermoplastic or...
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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...
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Egg Walk Challenge
Middle schoolers design plastic shoes to walk on eggs without breaking them. In this pressure lesson plan, students consider all the factors needed to design shoes to walk on eggs without breaking them. Middle schoolers calculate the PSI...
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The Polymer Schoolhouse
Students investigate polymers by discovering and examining plastics and creating a diorama.
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How Are Polymers Utilized in Everyday Life?
Students identify the different types of polymers. In this chemistry lesson, students research information about an area of polymer science they chose. They create a PowerPoint presentation to share their findings in class.
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Exploring the Physical and Chemical Properties of Polymers
Students determine the physical and chemical properties of polymers. In this chemistry lesson, students test them for biodegradability. They collect data and compare their results.
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Plastics and Rubber: What's the Difference?
Students classify household items into either plastic or rubber. In this chemistry lesson, students justify their classification system. They explain the difference between observation and inference.