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Sustainable STEM: Polymer Properties

Sustainable STEM: Polymer Properties
Contributors
Annette Sebuyira
Retired K-12 Educator | Beyond Benign, Inc.
Beyond Benign
Beyond Benign, Inc.
cover image with picture of shark and leaf and mushrooms and megaphone and a hand holding a cellphone
Summary
In this lesson, students will explore the basics of polymer science, using pipe cleaners and colored penne to create models. Then, students will create two different slimes using chemical reactions and consider the difference between naturally derived and synthetic materials.

This project came about from a collaboration between Beyond Benign and Steelcase.
Keyword Tags
Natural Fibers
Synthetic Fibers
Plastics
Slime
Engineering Design
Polymers
Cross-Linking
Steelcase
File (PDF, PPT, image, etc)
sustainable_stem_polymer_properties.docx
Link to external
Natural vs Synthetic Polymers
What are Plastics
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.59877/WSVC5749
Learning Goals/Student Objectives
-Make several polymers
-Make qualitative observations about monomers, cross-linking chemicals, and polymers
-Compare the properties of natural versus synthetic polymers
Object Type
Laboratory experiment
Lecture or course slides/notes (e.g., PPT, Prezi, PDF)
Activities/Technology (e.g., in-class activities, online games, hands-on activities/manipulatives, outreach, virtual tools, etc.)
Case studies
Audience
Middle School
Common pedagogies covered
Collaborative/cooperative learning
Context-based learning
Hands-on learning
Problem-based learning
Student-centered learning
Green Chemistry Principles
Less Hazardous Chemical Syntheses
Designing Safer Chemicals
Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries
Use of Renewable Feedstocks
Reduce Derivatives
Design for Degradation
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
No Poverty
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Responsible Consumption and Production
Safety Precautions, Hazards, and Risk Assessment
Aprons, goggles, and gloves(optional) must be worn. Wash hands and clean work area before and after the lab.
Disposal information: All products in this lab should be placed in a trash receptacle, as slimes can clog drains and pipes. Remember to have your students neutralize the whey waste from the Polymer 1 lab. If the slimes go into the sink, flush with copious amounts water to dilute.
Teacher Recommendations or Piloting Data (if available)
This activity uses the 5E model, be sure to read the whole article before assigning to your students.
NGSS Standards, if applicable
MS-PS1-1. Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.

MS-PS1-2. Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

MS-PS1-3. Gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society.

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Submitted by

Annette Sebuyira
Published on
Moderation state
Published
Collection
Sustainable STEM Unit
Time required (if applicable)
One 45-60 minute class period
Related Learning Objects
Sustainable STEM Overview
Sustainable STEM Lesson 1: Beginning an Investigation by Gathering Evidence
Sustainable STEM Lesson 2: Using Engineering Design to Make a Prototype
Sustainable STEM Lesson 3: Life Cycle
Sustainable STEM Lesson 4: Making Mushroom Material
Sustainable STEM Lesson 5: Testing the Cell Phone Cases
Sustainable STEM Lesson 6: Presenting a Sustainable Solution
Sustainable STEM: Fabulous Fabrics
Sustainable STEM: Surefire Sharklet Lab
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.