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These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.

Plastic challenge

This resource contains a series of lessons which are designed to extend students’ knowledge and understanding of plastics and plastic waste on a global scale. Linking to materials and their properties, the environment, recycling and design and technology, they contain investigations and activities aimed at both primary and secondary level.

These activities include: sorting and identifying plastics based on their properties, plastic production, making plastic in the classroom, comparing oil-based and bio-plastics and their environmental impact, which materials take the longest to decompose and the efficacy of recycling plastic.

There is also a series of activities which involve designing, making and evaluating products from waste plastics, for a UK or international market.

Provided by Practical Action, the resource includes teachers’ notes, a classroom presentation, poster and a Crest Awards Discovery Passport.

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