Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Courses: Polymer Science Laboratory
College-level chemical engineering course highlighting polymers. Course topics focus on the range of properties of polymers, methods of synthesis, and physical chemistry. Course features include a list of related readings and a large...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Plastic Polymers: Building a Model
Students will use their prior knowledge about changes of matter including physical and chemical changes from the Houghton Mifflin science curriculum. Students will create a hypothesis to test the physical properties of materials such as...
Iowa State University
Iowa State University: Materials Science and Engineering
Learn about Iowa State University's department of Materials Science and Engineering, including news, academics, people, research, and general information.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Science of Atoms and Molecules: Nucleic Acids and Proteins
Through this activity, students work with macromolecules, proteins and nucleic acids. The focus is on the atomic structure of proteins, how linear polymers are made, and the surface charges of the resulting polymers. . Multiple-choice...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Forensic Science: Analysis of Hair, Fiber and Botanical Mtl
This comprehensive interactive tutorial explores forensic science, particularly within the area of hair analysis. Investigate the parts of a hair and how it grows. Learn how is hair evidence is collected and analyzed and what different...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Carbon Monomers and Polymers
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Difference between a monomer and polymer and examples of natural and synthetic carbon polymers.
Other
Moorland School: Earth Science Zone: Polymers
A webpage showing how the double bonds of alkenes can open up to form polymers.
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Activities: Make Slime
Step-by-step instructions, with photos, of how to create slime made of polymer chains using Borax and white glue.
Science is Fun
Science Is Fun: Gluep Solid or Liquid?
In this experiment, students create a polymer substance called Gluep, then investigate its properties. Includes a detailed explanation of how the polymer molecules bond together to form the plastic.
Society for Science and the Public
Science News for Students: The Memory of a Material
Describes the properties of a synthetic polymer, Nafion, which can 'remember' shapes that it takes, based on the temperature.
Maryland Science Center
Maryland Science Center: Bouncy Balls [Pdf]
Use simple materials in a chemical reaction to create a bouncy ball, and learn about long-chain polymers.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Fun Look at Material Science
Students are introduced to the multidisciplinary field of material science. Through a class demo and PowerPoint presentation, they learn the basic classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites) and how they differ from one...
Math Science Nucleus
Math/science Nucleus: Polymer Storybook
This animation discusses polymers and the properties of polymers in a storybook format. The story covers polymers both plastic and natural, and provides interesting information.
McREL International
Mc Rel: Glue Polymer (Whelmer #15 Learning Activity)
An easy to do activity that investigates the basic principles behind chemical bonding. The activity is written in lesson plan format that meets NSES standards.
Maryland Science Center
Maryland Science Center: Balloon Kabob [Pdf]
Learn how to push a skewer through a balloon without actually popping it, and why this is possible.
Maryland Science Center
Maryland Science Center: Milk Plastic [Pdf]
A simple experiment to create a chemical reaction between milk and vinegar, with the product being a type of plastic.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Everyday Polymers
Young scholars explore the chemical identities of polymeric materials frequently used in their everyday lives. They learn how chemical composition affects the physical properties of the materials that they encounter and use frequently,...
Science Fun for Everyone
Science Fun: Squishy Turkeys
Watch Scientist Joe demonstrate how to make a turkey in a glove using homemade slime in this video presentation.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Battle of the Beams
Students explore the properties of composites using inexpensive materials and processing techniques. They create beams using Laffy Taffy and water, and a choice of various reinforcements (pasta, rice, candies) and fabricating...
Other
60 Second Science: Easy Putty
Explore the properties of colloids while making putty. Discover how some mixtures can display properties of both solids and liquids.
Other
Dupont: History of Teflon
This website tells the history of the development of teflon, and incldues information on Dr. Roy Plunkett, the inventor of teflon.
Other
Nanozone Comics: Honey, I Shrunk Myself!
Follow Rachel as she evolves from an interest in solving games and patterns to a career in material science. Watch as she uses nanotechnology to work with polymers. Read about new nanotech devices that can help improve our world in the...
Other
American Plastics Council: The History of Plastics
This site from the American Plastics Council provides a brief history of all major developments of fibers and plastics including the early invention of rayon. Very interesting and informative, it also includes a timeline for easier...