Karen A. Beitler
Answer sheet for Virtual Field Trip
Linked in l-o-n-g chains of m-o-n-o-m-e-r-s ! TEACHER NOTES
This lesson follows an introduction to polymers -The first site in this tour is unfinished as of this writing; but students can use the "View sample" to get important facts; then they can "play" in Macrogalleria. Teachers can contact the UMass-Amherst PS&E Outreach site to gain information & develop a unit. http://www.pse.umass.edu/outreach/#outreach . Links will only work on the student's page if they are online - email them the instruction sheet or link it to your web page! Links are below.
Virtual Field Trip - Polymers. Target audience- grades 7-12. Outcome - Poster about polymers
As we continue our unit in biotechnology we will be looking at what scientists are making to mimic natural systems. The advantages of using a synthetic product that the body will not recognize as foreign are enormous. First, let's take a virtual tour and discover what a polymer is! Go to http://www.pse.umass.edu/outreach/#outreach . Scroll down Click on View some sample slides from our Outreach presentation . Read the presentation. Answer the questions below:
What is a polymer? Many units of monomers
What are two molecules found in most polymers? Carbon and hydrogen
Name six synthetic polymers and give an example of each:
1. polyethylene terephthalate (PET)- soda bottles, laundry detergent containers
2. High density polyethylene (HDPE) - milk jugs, shampoos bottles, landfill liners
3. Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) - shower curtains, siding, piping
4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) - garbage bags, tape, disposable diaper liners
5. Polypropylene (PP) - chip and cookie bags, Tupperware
6. Polystyrene (PS) - packing foam, disposable hot cups
Name six natural polymers and where they are found; (8 are listed)
1. Collagen - protein in connective tissue
2. gelatin -is made from the boiled bones, skins and tendons of animal; Jell-O, jelly
3. keratin - skin, fingernails
4. silk -protein fiber from the cocoon of silkworm larva
5. wool -fiber from sheep and goats
6. cellulose - plant cell wall
7. natural rubber - an elastic milky latex in the sap of a rubber tree
8. DNA - double helix nucleic acid inside the nucleus of a cell
Why is the motion in polymers s-l-o-w? polymers are linked molecules this
makes them slow
Polymer (http://www.pslc.ws/mactest/maindir.htm) facts Poster project. Visit each
level of polymer education at - answers will vary
Level 1 - pick at store & write about 2 things you find there & the polymer they
are made from.
Level 2 - find the two polymers from Level I here- write the chemical formula & 3
facts about it
Level 3 - Follow the directions, write about what you learned & define 2 new
vocabulary words!
Level 4 - Summarize 2 methods of making polymers
Level 5 - Describe 2 methods of characterization of polymers
Level 6 - Answer 2 of the questions posed on this page.
Explore the fun facts in the last section. Pick one to add to your poster. There are fun activities and games to explore on this website; please feel free to visit them and gain information to enhance your poster! Check this out: A Sweet Way to Make Plastic. http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2006/06/30/sweetplastic_tec.html?category=technology&guid=20060630123000 What did James Dumesic and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin, Madison make plastic from? High fructose corn syrup
Name two processes they used. Dehydration and boiling Click on the back arrow - chose one or more articles and write 1-2 sentences about the use of polymers.
Visit the website Playing with Polymers at http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/polymer.html