Making and Modeling Polymers (Developed by SEPUP)
kit #706S
Every day, students use numerous products made of plastic. This kit introduces the structures and properties of the polymer molecules that make up all plastics. Students first investigate the properties of a linear polymer found in white glue, and then add a cross-linker to explore the properties of the resulting cross-linked polymer. They then use paper clip models to investigate the molecular structures of monomers, polymers, and cross-linked polymers, and explore how their structural differences alter the properties of the molecules.
- A substance has characteristic properties
- Substances react chemically in characteristic ways with other substances to form new substances with different chemical properties
- Substances are often placed in categories or groups if they react or behave in similar ways
- Engineers design specific chemicals to be used in a variety of ways
- Models can be used to understand and explain scientific phenomena
Content List in Making and Modeling Polymers (Developed by SEPUP) is as follows:
| Quantity | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Teacher’s Manual with MSDS |
| 32 | Student Worksheets and Guides |
| 32 | Data Charts: Some common plastics and synthetic fibers |
| 2 | 120-mL bottles of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) |
| 2 | 30-mL bottles of 4% sodium borate solution |
| 1 | 15-mL bottle of blue food coloring |
| 16 | 3.25-oz. clear plastic cups |
| 16 | Stir sticks |
| 32 | Graduated cups |
| 384 | Paper clips (all the same size) |
| 48 | Colored paperclips |
| 8 | 60-mL wide-mouth bottles |
- Number of students
- 32
- Number of groups
- Maximum 8 groups
To complete this kit requires one to two ~50-minute class periods.
