Biobased Materials (HS)
Students 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, as well as how cross-linking affects the properties of polymeric materials.
objectives
After this lesson, students should be able to:
• Identify common items in our everyday loves that are polymers
• Create polymer models of different types of polymers
• Understand the structure of polymers through the building models
• Understand condensation polymerization and how cross-linking effects flexibility
• Describe what is being done to decrease pollution and adverse effects of fossil fuels
• Produce a biodegradable plastic using common chemicals
Topic(s)
Physical Science
type
High school lesson
10-12
Grade(s):
time needed
Four 50-minute lessons
author
Jayaraman Sivaguru, Jeni Peterson
national next gen standards
• HS-PS2-6. Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular level structure is
important in the functioning of designed materials. (Grades 9 - 12)
• HS-PS1-5 Apply scientific principles and evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of the reacting particles on the rate at which a reaction occurs.
• HS-LS4-6 Design and revise a solution to mitigate impacts of human activity on biodiversity.
north dakota standards
• RST.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific or technical context relevant to grade 9-10 or 11-12 texts and topics.
• SL.1 Initiate and participate in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partner on grapes 9-10 or 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
• • a. Come to the discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly
draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or
issue to stimulate thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.