Both soft raincoats and hard door frames use PVC as their main components, yet they have very different textures. The video focuses on the use of plasticisers and hardeners to create the very different textures and uses for the same material. It highlights many different products and discusses the pros and cons of these processes.

Concepts

plastic, polymers

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Research the environmental concerns of using plasticisers and hardeners
• Create a timeline of when people first used these, when scientists first found they caused cancer, and when regulators banned their use in baby bottles

Classroom Considerations

• Relies on prior knowledge of polymers including their chemical structure, functions, and applications

Pros

• Mentions the ethical and environmental concerns
• Offers a cue to pause the video and think through a higher-level question

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4