All synthetic materials began as natural materials. An engaging lesson begins with a hands-on activity and an example of the type of research that scholars perform independently. Then pupils receive a topic and begin researching the...

Inspire environmentally conscious young minds with an exceptional video, which traces the life cycles of three different plastic bottles after they are thrown away and move through the earth with different journeys through a landfill, an...

An array of video clips, photographs, and drawings keep visual learners engaged, and an agreeable narration voice draws in auditory learners. It begins by explaining the formation of fossil fuels and progresses into how oil is located,...

First, young chemists practice polymer identification by density and flame tests. With the data collected, they propose a method of separating polyethylene from other plastics and determine what property makes it desirable for recycling....

This interactive presentation is a visual delight for young eyes! The title slide allows you to click on one type of material: wood, fabric, plastic, metal, or paper. You are then taken to a slide to consider numerous objects and...

New ReviewWhat's with all the numbers on plastic products? Learners complete an in-depth analysis of the physical properties of the different plastic types. They connect the properties of the plastics to uses and test their observation skills by...

It may sink or float—and classes will know why! A hands-on activity has learners experiment with different liquids of varying densities by creating a colorful density column. They connect the mass and volume of the liquid to its tendency...

Recycling is a sorting action. Given different recyclable materials, teams create a pile of pieces of material. Exchanging piles, groups devise a plan to sort the materials quickly and efficiently. Learners extend the activity by making...

Curdle milk on purpose. Pupils mix vinegar with milk to produce curds and then explore the properties of the curds. Scholars redo the experiment by changing up one of the variables and observing what happens.

Pore over the properties of plastic. Working through four different stations, pupils investigate some properties of plastic, including chemical decomposition, mechanical breakdown, density, and the ability to infiltrate the food chain....

Those corn husks can be put to good use. Future engineers design and build a new, biodegradable bag for potato chips out of corn husks. They test out their bags by shaking, dropping, and tossing them, as well as placing them in water.

How much plastic do people use? Class members identify how plastic is involved in their daily lives by looking at food packaging either at a grocery store or at home. Learners view statistics for the amount of plastics found on a beach...

Some plastics market as green, but are they really? Turns out, the question is a complicated one. A video lesson describes how these new plastics may have some decomposing properties but need a little boost from industry. The lesson...

Those recycled plastic bottles end up as some pretty interesting things in their second lives. A lesson explains the process of recycling plastic. Scholars learn about the different products of recycled plastic—including t-shirts!

Plastic math? Have young learners count and name the number of plastic items in their centers. Kindergartners match sight word cards to the number of plastics in a given group, while learning that plastics come in all different shapes,...

While plastics don't biodegrade, they do photodegrade, creating issues in Earth's oceans. The final video in the Healthy Oceans series explains why plastic in oceans causes so many issues. the narrator explains the impact of plastic...

Why is wood good for building houses, but not the best choice for high-rise apartments? Future materials scientists put building materials to the test using a hands-on interactive. Pupils pull and push on substances such as reinforced...

When you hear Leonardo da Vinci mentioned, chances are that you think of the Mona Lisa, or flying machines—but what about plastic? Learners blend heavy cream and vinegar over heat to replicate da Vinci's early organic plastic recipe.

If aliens visit Earth a million years from now, what will they find? Explore the Anthropocene epoch with a hard-hitting video. Viewers examine the changes humankind has made to the planet, how these overshadow events of the past, and...

How do green plastics reduce waste and environmental pollution? Budding scientists create and test a variety of compounds used in green plastics during an insightful experiment. Beginning with startling statistics and ending with...

From windows that tint themselves to OLED technology, electrochromic polymers are redefining our ideas about conducting materials! Introduce your chemistry class to the emerging trend with an exciting lab activity. Budding materials...

The words organic chemistry and simple are not usually seen in the same sentence. Introduce the foundation of the science to young chemists with a video from JFR Science. Topics include the chemical classes of hydrocarbons, their uses in...