Skip to main content

Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation: 03 Battle of the Glues

Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation: 03 Battle of the Glues
Contributors
Beyond Benign
Beyond Benign, Inc.
Learning Objets
Summary
In this hands-on laboratory lesson, students create and compare two different glues made from household materials to explore how chemical reactions can produce new substances with distinct properties. Students evaluate each glue using green chemistry criteria—cost, safety, and performance—and investigate how starting materials, energy use, and waste generation influence sustainability. Through experimental design, observation, and evidence-based comparison, students deepen their understanding of mixtures vs. chemical reactions, properties of matter, and how biomimicry and green chemistry enable safer, more sustainable adhesive technologies.
Keyword Tags
Adhesives
Green Chemistry Criteria
Chemical Reactions
Biomimicry
Sustainable Materials
File (PDF, PPT, image, etc)
battle_of_the_glues-updated.docx
Learning Goals/Student Objectives
- Create a new substance with new properties by mixing substances that undergo a chemical reaction.
- Distinguish between mixtures and chemical reactions based on evidence.
- Evaluate and compare two glues using green chemistry criteria (cost, safety, performance).
- Analyze how starting materials, energy use, and waste affect sustainability.
- Communicate conclusions using data and observations.
Object Type
Laboratory experiment
Audience
Elementary School
Other Faculty Educators/Teachers
Green Chemistry Principles
Waste Prevention
Designing Safer Chemicals
Use of Renewable Feedstocks
Safer Chemistry for Accident Prevention
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Good Health and Well-Being
Gender Equality
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Responsible Consumption and Production
Safety Precautions, Hazards, and Risk Assessment
Hot water may cause burns; teacher dispenses and supervises use

Acidic whey must be neutralized with baking soda before disposal

No ingestion of materials; hand washing encouraged after activity

Standard supervision required when handling heated liquids

Overall risk level: Low to Moderate with appropriate controls
NGSS Standards, if applicable
5-PS1-4: Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.

5-PS1-3: Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.

3–5-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints.

3–5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions based on criteria and constraints.

Share This

Submitted by

Tyler Schisler
Published on
Moderation state
Published
Collection
5th Grade Resources
Related Learning Objects
Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation: 01 What Do We Learn From Animals?
Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation: 02 Testing Tape
Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation: 04 Just Glue It!