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.

Concepts

leonardo da vinci, inventions, inventors, plastic

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Additional Tags

visual and performing arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Challenge learners to conduct research on the history of plastic
• Use the plastic mixture as the basis for a class scupture project before a schoolwide art show
• Feature the activity at a science fair or larger festival that celebrates science from the Renaissance

Classroom Considerations

• Result is similar to da Vinci's original plastic, but does not use the same ingredients
• Requires access to a stove; activity should only be done with adult supervision

Pros

• Includes two common household products
• A great way to connect social studies and science

Cons

• Does not include historical context