Grades 9-12
Confronting the Plastic Crisis

The curriculum is designed for high school youth focusing on the history, prevalence, impacts, and future of plastics. Plastics are versatile materials that come in different shapes, sizes, and exhibit different material properties. Scientists and engineers are working on new ways to create, use, and recycle plastics, so we can use plastics for their many advantages and lessen their effects on our environment. The curriculum is designed to build foundational skills of science and engineering: observation, asking questions and defining problems, planning and carrying out investigations, and communicating. The curriculum is intended for delivery in out-of-school time facilitated by an educator (trained volunteers or program staff). Youth will explore polymer science content through a guided activity helping to prepare them for engagement as teachers of younger youth or to undertake a service project. Each module includes educator background reading and additional tips. We encourage instructors to collect feedback throughout this module and submit via this evaluation form: 4hpolymers.org/evaluation.(4hpolymers.org/evaluation)

Module 1 Trends in Production and Disposal of Aluminum, Glass, Paper, and Plastic Across Time • Analyze historical trends for the production and disposal of plastic, glass, aluminum and paper products • Communicate data-informed evidence to a public audience Module 2 Comparing the Properties of Aluminum, Glass, Paper, and Plastic • Compare properties of aluminum, glass, paper, and plastic • Understand that the applications of different materials depend on the advantages and limitations of each material’s properties Module 3 Life Cycles of Products We Use and their Environmental Impacts • Environmental impacts of common packaging materials – aluminum, glass, and plastic – throughout their life cycle • Research the life cycles of glass, aluminum, and plastic and learn about their environmental impacts • Engage in real-world applications to help address environmental issues associated with material waste Module 4 All About Polymers! • Use model polymer chains to explore how structure influences material properties • Observe biodegradation using a variety of material samples Module 5 The Plastic Life Cycle • Impact of plastic consumption on the environment • Simulate becoming a particle of “plastic” and follow it throughout its material life cycle. Module 6 The Plastics Future: Bioplastics • Advantages and disadvantages of renewable plastics • Explore the properties of different plastic types Module 7 Emerging Solutions to the Plastic Crisis • Explore advantages and disadvantages to emerging methods to deal with detrimental impacts of petroleum-based plastics • Pitch an emerging technology using scientific information

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