K-5 Hands-On Physical Science Activities Related to POLYMERS

presented by the MATR Institute,
a National Science Foundation program in the
Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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<DIV id='number'>1</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>National Science Standards</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Here, you the teacher can judge for yourself, based on the National Science Standards which exercises are best for your students.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/standards.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>2</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Safety Bugs</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Participants will learn that safety awareness in science classes can lead to less fear, more fun, and a safer learning environment.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/bugs.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>3</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Learning To Use a Classification Key</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Students will be able to identify chemicals used in household products. Students will be able to use MSDSs to identify hazardous components of commonly used household products.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/classification.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>4</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Properties of Matter - Solids Investigation</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Students will be able to classify solids into groups with similar properties e.g., color, size, texture, malleability, resiliency, and optical properties. Students will be able to conduct tests on solids to determine their density, and reactions with an acid and a base. Students will be able to record observations in a data table.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/recyclables.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>5</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Matter In Motion</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Students will demonstrate the relationship between temperature and the speed at which the molecules are moving. </DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/matter_in_motion.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>6</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Spaces In Matter</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Students will observe that there are spaces in matter. The students will also be able to measure and record their observations.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/spaces_in_matter.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>7</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Which Take Up More Space? </DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Students will be able to observe changes in states of matter in relation to the amount of space they occupy.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/takes_up_more.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>8</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>There Is No "Away" </DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>The student will demonstrate knowledge of a sanitary/solid waste landfill by listing advantages and disadvantages of landfill. The student will design and construct a model of a landfill. The student will gain appreciation for the role of landfills in reducing waste. </DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/no_away.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>9</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Density Tubes</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Determine the relative densities of water, alcohol, and cooking oil. Determine where different recycled materials would settle in given liquids. Apply newly learned information to create a density tube. </DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/density_tubes.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>10</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Slimy Polymers</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Students will observe, measure, classify, and collect data as they investigate the introduction of cross linking and additives in polymers.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/slimy.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>11</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>The Gym Shoe Corporation</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Students will apply observations from their previous slime experiments to a "real world" scenario. They will simulate a company which designs soles for athletic shoes to meet certain needs. Students will also practice cooperative learning and communication skills.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/shoe_goo.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>12</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>"Honey, I Broke The Capsule!"</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Through the use of the senses and polymer examples, students will gain an understanding of micro-encapsulation found in their everyday life. </DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/capsule.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>13</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Polymer Models</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Students will be able to define the term "polymer." Students will develop an awareness of polymer in our everyday lives. Students will develop an understanding of polymer structures through the use of models.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/poly_models.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>14</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>"POLY"mer, The Indicator Worm</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Students will identify household substances as acids or bases.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/poly_mer.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>15</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Plastic Formations of All Kinds</DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>The student will demonstrate the ability to blow mold, injection mold, and extrude plastics into shapes. The student will be able to differentiate between the different methods used to mold plastic. The student will be able to list the various characteristics of shaping plastic.</DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/plastic_forms.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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<DIV id='number'>16</DIV>
<DIV id='title'>Thermoplastics and Thermosets </DIV>
<DIV id='desc'>Students will observe the difference between thermoplastics and thermosets. </DIV>
<DIV id='download'><a href=https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Documents/PDF/thermos.pdf><img src='https://campus.uwsp.edu/sites/cols-ap/polyed/Site%20Assets/Site%20Images/download.png' alt='Download'/></a></DIV>
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The lessons listed in this area are general procedures to be used by teachers developing polymer-related classroom activities. They are to be modified, expanded, and customized by teachers prior to use in their classrooms.

These activities were not designed to be used directly by students.

Each of the activities was developed, written, and edited by grade level teachers working in conjunction with guest presenters and chemistry department faculty during MATR Institute sessions at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

They are all in .pdf format.
 
Teacher-developed and student-tested
Use readily available materials