Cornell University
Glued into Science—Classifying Polymers
Explore the unique characteristics of polymers. A complete lesson plan begins with a presentation introducing polymers. Following the presentation, young scientists develop a laboratory plan for creating substances using polymers. They...
Cornell University
Polymers: Making Silly Putty
Putty is proof that learning can be fun! Share the wonderful world of polymers with your class through an experiment. Young scientists create their own silly putty, then examine its properties.
It's About Time
Polymers
All plastics contain polymers, but not all polymers are plastic. Young chemists make their own polymer and compare the properties to those of other states of matter. After a reading passage, pupils answer analysis questions about natural...
Curated OER
World of Plastics and Polymers
Young scholars investigate plastics and learn they are giant molecules made of carbon atoms. In this polymers and plastics lesson, students perform 3 activities which all include making polymers from household items such as milk and...
Curated OER
Polymers all Over the Place
Students investigate properties of common molecules. In this chemistry lesson, students construct polymer models to gain a better understanding of the properties of polymers.
Cornell University
Radical Reactions
The radical reactions of polymers seems abstract to many pupils, but this lesson turns them into a fun building game. Scholars use dice and building pieces to build polymers. Then, they determine the theoretical and experimental weight...
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Molecules to the Max!—Educators Resource Guide
From molecules to nanotubes, an engaging unit explores the world of tiny science. Fifteen hands-on experiments and lessons engage young scientists as they learn chemistry. Discussions, worksheets, and data analysis reinforce the concepts...
Curated OER
Polymer Chemistry: More than Just Plastic
Fifth graders examine polymers and how they are formed. In this chemistry activity students complete their own polymer experiment then discuss what they learned.
Cornell University
Math Is Malleable?
Learn about polymers while playing with shrinky dinks. Young scholars create a shrinky dink design, bake it, and then record the area, volume, and thickness over time. They model the data using a graph and highlight the key features of...
Curated OER
Fabrics and Polymers
Students explore natural resources by reading a science story in class. In this fibers lesson, students identify and discuss the differences between fibers such as wool, silk, rayon, linen and cotton. Students identify the common uses of...
Teach Engineering
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is one of several garbage patches around the world where garbage accumulates naturally. As part of a GIS unit that combines oceanography, environmental science, and life science, class members investigate...
Cornell University
The Making of Macromolecules
Compare and contrast macromolecules made from the same elements. Young scholars learn how the structure of a molecule has as much influence on a compound as the elements in the molecule. They experiment with molecular model kits to...
Curated OER
Proteins
Vocabulary that is essential to this topic is introduced and defined at the start of this slide show. The following slides help students understand proteins and their use and involvement in everyday substances. Great diagrams help your...
Curated OER
Plastics Crossword
In this chemistry worksheet, students look for the solutions to the crossword puzzle that is based upon the topic of plastics. The sheet is helpful for vocabulary.
Curated OER
Polymerization Experiments
Students study the concepts of polymerization and the function of crosslinkage. In this polymer lesson students complete a lab activity and write down their observations.
Cornell University
Polymerization
Explore condensation polymerization and additive polymerization through hands-on activities. Young scholars first model additive polymerization with paperclips. They finish the activity by using condensation polymerization to create a...
Curated OER
Chemistry of Food
In this chemistry of food learning exercise, students complete 20 various types of questions related to food and nutrition. First, they complete a crossword puzzle with vocabulary terms. Then, students use the figure shown to write the...
Biology Junction
The Structure of DNA
Did you know that all life on Earth has DNA? Explore the importance of the molecule by learning about its structure. The unique DNA shape, bases, and bonds allow the incredible diversity seen all over the world.
Curated OER
Dragonfly Anatomy: Dragonfly Magnet or Pin
Young scholars build anatomically correct dragonflies of polymer clay, use vocabulary for body parts, and define the function of the body parts as adaptations for survival.
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
Making Plastic
Learners experiment to create a plastic solution. In this science lesson, students use sodium borax and polyvinyl alcohol to create their solution, then identify, discuss, and chart observations on the end product.
Curated OER
Metabolism & Enzymes
More extensive than just a general overview of digestion and reactions, this slide show gives information about all areas of enzyme function. Topics like the chemistry behind efficiency of enzymes, factors that affect speed of reaction,...
Curated OER
The Miracle Fish: Learning to Design an Experiment
Students develop procedures to explore the behavior of fish. In this scientific experiment lesson students from a hypothesis, write a question, identify different variables and controls in their experiment.
Curated OER
Bioplastics
Students define bioplastics and identify its uses. In this bioplastics lesson, students compare and contrast styrofoam to starch peanuts after careful examination. Students understand what biodegradeable means.