Plastics in the ocean: resources for chemists
These resources can be used alongside the Catalyst article Plastics in the ocean
- ALL
- Teacher guidance
- Video
- Article
- Activity sheet
- External link
Teacher guidance
Big Bag Ban
In this activity students look at the issue of use of plastic shopping bags. The resource contains a power point and student sheets as well as teacher notes on how to run the activity. The activity involves students acting as "expert witnesses" and answering questions from other students who then formulate a view on the problem based on the presented evidence. A nice approach to getting students to debate a topical issue allowing them to gather and balance evidence for and against approaches to solving an environmental issue created by our dependence on plastics
Video
Recycling Plastics *suitable for home teaching*
This short video looks at the issue of disposal of plastics and makes the case for recycling of plastic products. It links recycling options to whether the plastic is thermosoftening or thermosetting and briefly looks at mechanical and chemical recycling for these two groups of plastics. It finishes by discussing the design of biodegradable plastics and the desirability of manufacturing less plastic in the first place. This video might be useful to stimulate discussion of options available
Plastics and Polymers *suitable for home teaching*
This is short video from Twig World focusing on the chemistry of addition polymerisation and the factors that affect the properties of the final polymer. This would be more suitable once students have a basic understanding of what polymers are and have learned about how alkenes link together to form addition polymers.
Article
Fantastic Plastic
This is another Catalyst article which looks at the use of polymers in the manufacture of household items. The exciting thing about polymers is that it is possible to make polymers behave in so many different ways by organising their long chain molecules in different ways – polymers are the ultimate designer material. The article looks at their molecular chain and also the future for polymers in manufacturing.
Plastics Forever?
Another article discussing how polymers affect every day of people’s lives. With diverse characteristics and applications their usefulness can only be limited by human imagination. Due to polymers’ widespread and varied use a responsible and systematic recycling programme is both economically and environmentally advantageous
Plastics: an Insoluble Problem
A Catalyst article about the problems of recycling plastics. The article looks at novel uses for products made from recycled plastics. It also looks at the make-up of polymers and the history of their manufacture. Finally, alternatives to plastics are examined.
Activity sheet
Plastic challenge
This resource contains a suite of activities related to increasing students' awareness of plastics and the issues surrounding the disposal and recycling of plastics. Used selectively it could provide ideas for discussion or project work in this area.
Fantastic Plastic *suitable for home teaching*
This resource provides a detailed overview of the topic of polymers, teaching suggestions, practical activities, student activity sheets, powerpoint presentations and useful links. The practical ideas are fun and explore the properties of some interesting polymers, although some are for teacher demonstration only. The student activities are short enough to be part of a single lesson or could be used together as a circus of activities. Some inexpensive but specialist resources are required for several of the activities.
External link
Compostable plastics have a sweet ending
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Website has a large selection of case studies which explain, in easily accessible language, the applications of cutting edge research. It is a very useful resource for teachers trying to add relevance and real-life applications to a range of GCSE topics. This case study describes how the development of biodegradable polymers has potential medical applications such as tissue regeneration and drug delivery.
