Lesson Plan
American Chemical Society

Man and Materials Through History

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
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...
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Molecules to the Max!—Teacher's Discovery Guide

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Molecules to the Max! refers to a movie released in 2009 about the world of atoms and molecules. A helpful discovery guide provides five posters on science topics typically covered at the middle school level. It also explains the...
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National Institute of Open Schooling

Nomenclature and General Principles

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Carbon, the base for all organic compounds, exists in nature in its purest form as graphite or diamonds. The 25th lesson in a series of 36 teaches pupils the nomenclature of organic compounds. Learners read about how to use the IUPAC...
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Frostburg State University

General Chemistry Online: Glossary: Polymer Chemistry

For Students 9th - 10th
A glossary of terminology surrounding polymer chemistry. Good site for vocabulary building or reinforcement.
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Other

Moorland School: Earth Science Zone: Polymers

For Students 9th - 10th
A webpage showing how the double bonds of alkenes can open up to form polymers.
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Other

American Chemistry Council: History of Polymers & Plastics for Teachers

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This resource presents a teacher guide that offers information on the history, structure, characteristics, forms, and common uses of plastics and polymers.
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Other

American Chemistry Council: History of Polymer and Plastics for Students

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents a brief guide introduces the history, structure, and characteristics of plastics and polymers.
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Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Nylon

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia provides detailed information on nylon, a synthetic polymer. Includes nylon's uses, history, and products.
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Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Rubber

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia provides detailed information on rubber, a hydrocarbon polymer. Includes information on the composition and uses of rubber.
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Roy J. Plunkett

For Students 3rd - 8th
Read about Roy Plunkett's invention, teflon, one of the best-known and most widely used polymers that was created by accident.
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Other

Design in Site: Polyvinylchloride

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of the polymer which includes an interesting segment on the production requirements.
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Michigan State University

Michigan State University: Stereoisomerism in Polymers

For Students 9th - 10th
Explanation of the various types of stereoisomers,with an isomer classification flowchart.
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University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania: Solid State Chemistry: Describing Crystalline Solids

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains in-depth information on crystalline solids. Includes basic concepts, pictures, learning graphs, and useful tools.
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Other

Chemical Heritage Foundation: Leo Hendrik Baekeland

For Students 9th - 10th
Leo Hendrik Baekeland was the inventor of bakelite, the first completely synthetic plastic. Biographical information and photographs on this page.
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Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Innovative Lives: Stephanie Kwolek and Kevlar, the Wonder Fiber

For Students 9th - 10th
Smithsonian site features Stephanie Kwolek, the inventor of kevlar. Learn about her famous discovery and the road she took to get there. Contains links to read more about women inventors.
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Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Kevlar Inventor

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a biography of Stephanie Kwolek, the inventor of Kevlar.
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Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Fuel Cell

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed Wikipedia encyclopedia article on fuel cells explains what they are, the controversies in the use of hydrogen as a fuel, and practical problems. There is also a lengthy section on the five generally recognized types of fuel...
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Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Plastic

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers all of the basic information one would need about the topic of plastic. Includes hyperlinked table of contents for easy site navigation.
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Other

Chemical Heritage Foundation: Roy J. Plunkett

For Students 9th - 10th
This website tells about the life and scientific contributions of Roy J. Plunkett, the inventor of Teflon.
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National Inventors Hall of Fame

National Inventors Hall of Fame: Roy J. Plunkett

For Students 9th - 10th
This website provides biographical information about Roy J. Plunkett and his discovery of Teflon.
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Science Struck

Science Struck: Properties of Polystyrene

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what polystyrene is and its many different properties and uses.
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Science Struck

Science Struck: Ldpe Plastic

For Students 9th - 10th
LDPE stands for low-density polyethylene. This resource describes its structure, physical and chemical properties, resistance to various chemicals, advantages and disadvantages, uses, its BPA-free status, and the issue of recycling LDPE...
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Leo Baekeland

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this site to learn about how Leo Baekeland invented plastic, and how this simple invention resulted in a "plastic revolution."
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American Chemical Society

American Chemical Society: The Bakelizer [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out all you want to know about the revolutionary development of Bakelite, the first plastic created entirely from chemicals. Included is a biography of the inventor of Bakelite, Leo Baekeland.

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