Curated OER
Diaper Challenge
Students investigate the absorbency of certain diapers. For this inquiry lesson, students examine how much water the crystals absorb. They collect data and share their results in class.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Sports Helmets and Impact Testing of Polymers
Students test various polymers resistance to impact. For this technology lesson, students collect data and formulate a conclusion. They design their own helmet and present it to class.
Curated OER
Polymers
Students explore online tutorial on polymers. In this chemistry lesson, they create two polymers in the lab and compare their properties. They write a sales letter about their new and improved polymer product.
Curated OER
Mystery Polymers
Pupils examine how some natural substances are polymers. In this polymer lesson students complete a lab and give examples of a physical change.
Curated OER
Goofy Putty
Students examine mixtures and solution properties by making a borax polymer. In this chemical reactions lesson, students make a putty out of borax solution mixed to create a polymer.
Curated OER
Critter? Growth
Students identify and use the elements of the scientific inquiry to solve problems. They explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter. Pupils write an explanation of polymers and how the characteristic of polymers...
Curated OER
Polymers and Crystals
Students experiment with crystals and polymers and examine their roles in food science.
Curated OER
Polymer Physics on the Playground
Students investigate what materials allow them to slide down a slide the fastest. They set up test procedures and carry out an experiment.
Curated OER
The Polymer Schoolhouse
Learners investigate polymers by discovering and examining plastics and creating a diorama.
Curated OER
Polymers and People
Students identify a historical example of how advances in science depend on advances in technology and vice versa.
Curated OER
It's the Slime Time
Students experiment to understand the basic concept of polymerization and to understand the dissolution theory. Student experiment with polymers to understand its behavior and the mechanical behavior of polymer networks.
Curated OER
Bouncing Balls
Pupils create a polymer to demonstrate its properties and develop an awareness of the wide variety of uses for polymers.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Plastic Polymers: Building a Model
Students will use their prior knowledge about changes of matter including physical and chemical changes from the Houghton Mifflin science curriculum. Students will create a hypothesis to test the physical properties of materials such as...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Anatomy & Physiology: Overview of Metabolic Reactions
Students discuss the role of polymers, monomers, and ATP in metabolism, and then describe the hormones that regulate anabolic and catabolic reactions.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Creepy Silly Putty
Students learn about viscoelastic material behavior, such as strain rate dependence and creep, by using silly putty, an easy-to-make polymer material. They learn how to make silly putty, observe its behavior with different strain rates,...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Bridging to Polymers: Thermoset Lab
Students act as engineers to learn about the strengths of various epoxy-amine mixtures, and observe the unique characteristics of different mixtures of epoxies and hardeners. Student groups make and optimize thermosets by combining two...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Close Encounters of the Polymer Kind
Students explore the basic characteristics of polymers through the introduction of two polymer categories: thermoplastics and thermosets.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Kevlar Inventor
Read a biography of Stephanie Kwolek, the inventor of Kevlar.
Other
Polythene: Production and Properties & Uses
A wonderful site for information on polythene. Contains a table of information for high density and low density polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE) which tells melting point, uses, chemical properties, and more for each. Also contains the...
Iowa State University
Iowa State University: Materials Science and Engineering
Learn about Iowa State University's department of Materials Science and Engineering, including news, academics, people, research, and general information.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Focus on Fabrics: Putting Materials to Good Use
The goal is for students to understand the basics of engineering associated with the use, selection, and properties of fabrics. A wide variety of natural and synthetic fibers are used in our clothing, home furnishings and in our travel...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Battle of the Beams
Students explore the properties of composites using inexpensive materials and processing techniques. They create beams using Laffy Taffy and water, and a choice of various reinforcements (pasta, rice, candies) and fabricating...