SCIENCE
ALL ABOUT POLYMERS
TIME ALLOTMENT: 55-minutes
MEDIA COMPONENTS:
Dr. Dad’s PH3: Polymers
OVERVIEW:
Synthetic polymers are found in almost every
manufactured product in the world from the fabric
in the clothes that we wear to the gum that we
chew. This lesson is designed to introduce
students to some of these giant molecules and
their unique properties.
SUBJECT MATTER:
GRADES 4-6
JOYCE TATE & NANCY FARLEY
Science
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The students will:
• Identify examples of everyday materials
that are made of polymers.
• Observe some of the properties of
polymers.
• Be able to recognize some man-made
and natural polymers.
STANDARDS:
National Science Education Standards
http://bob.nap.edu/html/nses/html
Content Standard B:
Properties of objects and materials
Louisiana Science Frameworks:
State Standards for Curriculum Development
http://www.lcet.doe.state.la.us/doe/assessment/
standards/SCIENCE.pdf
PS-E-A1: Observing, describing, and classifying
objects by properties (size, weight,
shape, color, texture, and temperature).
PS-E-A2: Measuring properties of objects using
appropriate materials, tools, and
technology.
http://www.psrc.usm.edu/macrog/proposal/dreyfus/
outcome/gum/gum.htm This site provides
information on the history of gum.
http://www.psrc.usm.edu/macrog/demos/index.htm
This site has additional activities by grade level that
demonstrate the variety of polymers.
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/
story084.htm This website tells the story of how
bubble gum was (accidentally) invented.
MATERIALS:
Per Class
• Variety of brands of Bubblegum
Note: it is important that the pieces of
gum be standardized either by size or
mass. The package should give the
number of pieces and weight.
• Variety of objects made of plastic (film,
CD’s, plastic bag or wrap, bottle top, etc.)
Per Group
• Bubblegum pieces
Per Student
• Paper & pencil
• Activity Sheet A
• Plastic or latex gloves
• Recycled plastic containers
• 1 cup Borax or liquid starch
• 1 cup white glue
• Plastic spoon
• Safety goggles
PREP FOR TEACHERS:
1. Duplicate activity sheets
2. Bookmark: http://www.ideafinder.com/
history/inventions/story084.htm
3. CUE video to the musical opening of the
Dr. Dad’s PH3 video, POLYMERS
Louisiana Public Broadcasting • 7733 Perkins Rd • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.767.5660 • 800.272.8161 • www.lpb.org • [email protected]
SCIENCE
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY:
1. Ask students to individually list as many things they can think of that are made of plastic. After 5
minutes have students compare their lists. Have a variety of common plastic items to show students.
Ask students to imagine how their lives might be different if they did not have these items or if they
were made of some other material.
2. Discuss with students the idea that many of the man-made polymers are made from petroleum
products and there are natural polymers that occur in nature. Do not categorize the types of polymers
that they have listed, however.
3. Tell students that chewing gum is a polymer and that they are going to learn how bubblegum was
accidentally invented. Go to the website http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/story084.htm and
have students to read the story of Mr. Diermer inventing bubblegum.
4. Students will next work in small groups to conduct a controlled experiment to determine which brand
of bubble gum blows the biggest bubble.
5. Give each student in a group a different brand of gum. Make sure that each person starts with the
same size\weight piece of gum. Each student should blow a bubble 3 times. Students should
estimate and record the size of the bubbles and average their size. After compiling the results of all the
trials, students can determine which gum blows the biggest bubble.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Tell students that they are going to see a short clip of a video on polymers. As a FOCUS FOR
MEDIA INTERACTION, prompt students to listen for
a) 3 major characteristics of polymers that make them so useful and
b) examples of man-made and natural polymers.
2. START the video and play until Dr. Dad completes his interview with Dr. Joyce Morningstar. STOP
the video.
3. Ask students to list the characteristics of polymers that make them so useful. (Flexible, Strong,
Lightweight) Discuss why these properties are so important. Give specific examples. (Space flight,
automobiles, lighter telephones, computers, bulletproof vests for police, etc.) If you can find examples
of items made of “older” materials, and the “new and improved plastic” varieties, use these as a
starting point of discussion.
4. Ask students to recall some of the natural polymers mentioned (cotton, paper, cellulose, proteins)
and man-made or synthetic (film, PVC pipe, paint, glue, sandwich bags).
CULMINATING ACTIVITY:
In this activity, students will actually make a polymer.
1. Provide each student with a pair of plastic or latex gloves and safety goggles. Be sure that they use
them! (Note: the Borax may cause slight skin irritation to some individuals. The use of the gloves
should eliminate this problem.)
2. Give each student a plastic spoon, one measured cup of glue and a measured cup of borax/liquid
starch. Have them mix this in a recycled plastic container. (Equal parts of glue and borax\liquid
starch should be combined.) Students should list the properties of their polymer.
3. After students complete the activity, discuss with them the properties of their polymer. Compare and
contrast properties with polymers observed in the classroom and observed on the video.
4. Properly dispose of the polymer material produced.
Louisiana Public Broadcasting • 7733 Perkins Rd • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.767.5660 • 800.272.8161 • www.lpb.org • [email protected]
SCIENCE
CROSS-CURRICULAR EXTENSIONS:
Social Studies\Geography:
• The history of rubber extraction is well documented and would provide an excellent extension at
this level. Locate rubber-producing countries on the map and note the climate necessary for
growth of rubber trees.
• Have students investigate the role that rubber played in World War II.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS:
•
Invite a chemist to speak to the class on the importance of polymers. In Louisiana, the oil industry is
statewide; thus, speakers should be readily available from the major industries.
•
Invite a representative from the fire department of police department to discuss their safety gear and
equipment and the importance of it being lightweight, durable and strong.
STUDENT MATERIAL
•
Activity Sheet
Louisiana Public Broadcasting • 7733 Perkins Rd • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.767.5660 • 800.272.8161 • www.lpb.org • [email protected]
SCIENCE
Bubble Blow Out
List the gum your group will use and place a check in the box that represents the size of each bubble.
GUM
TRIAL 1
Small
Medium Large
TRIAL 2
Small Medium Large
TRIAL 3
Small Medium Large
Louisiana Public Broadcasting • 7733 Perkins Rd • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.767.5660 • 800.272.8161 • www.lpb.org • [email protected]