Presentation for Middle School Teacher Workshop Corn Plastic Presentation for Middle School Teacher Workshop

Goals for today Complete Corn Plastic lab Actually do the lab and get comfortable with the procedure and materials. Learn the different ways this lab can be differentiated Be willing to ask questions Share your knowledge with others and support each other Discover how this lab can fit into your existing classroom curriculum.

Why I Love this Lab! Very inexpensive This lab can be done with no “science equipment” Nothing to order Everything can be found at your local Wal-Mart store Easy setup Easy cleanup Can be done in one lab period Can easily be differentiated up or down depending on your students

Plastic Plastic is material consisting of any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds that are malleable and so can be molded into solid objects. Plastics are typically organic polymers of high molecular mass and often contain other substances. They are usually synthetic, most commonly derived from petrochemicals, however, the can be made from renewable materials such as corn or cellulose from cotton.

Products Made From Corn These products, and many more, are made from corn The goal is to make a plastic out of a renewable resource that will biodegrade of time

Materials Cornstarch Corn Oil Water Glycerin Vinegar Rubber spatula Bowls Hot Plate

Procedure Mix in glass bowl 4 Tbsp water 1/2 Tbsp glycerol 1 Tbsp cornstarch 1 tsp of vinigar Stir and Heat on medium till the mixture becomes clear.

Chemistry Glycerin – Plasticizer that links the polymer chains together and allows them to slide past each other (can be replaced with sugar) Vinegar – helps dissolve the corn starch because it dissolves better with charged ions (can be replaced with salt)

Questions How does this fit into your classroom? What are some ways you can modify this lesson?