From the start of the Industrial Revolution, it only took 147 years for someone to invent plastic. This may seem like a long time, but in the history of inventing or discovering new materials, this is incredibly fast. An informative and versatile lesson teaches pupils about the history of materials from the Stone Age through the polymer age. 

Concepts

plastic, polymerization

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

science

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Challenge pupils to find a type of technology that does not include any type of plastic
• Hand to a substitute with no prior knowledge of the subject

Classroom Considerations

• The resource best fits when studying polymers
• The third in a set of six lessons

Pros

• Highlights historical connections to developments in science and technology 
• Designed as a ready-to-go lesson that requires no preparation
• Includes an answer key

Cons

• Resource does not provide any hands-on activities

Common Core

RST.9-10.2 RST.9-10.5 RST.9-10.7 RST.11-12.2 RST.11-12.5