3.25
Plastics in Our Lives.
Chemical Education for Public Understanding Program (CEPUP) series. Developed by Lawrence Hall of Science (Berkeley, Calif.). Menlo Park, Calif.: Addison-Wesley, 1992.
Program Overview
The Chemical Education for Public Understanding Program (CEPUP) series consists of 12 modules for grades 7-9. The modules focus on chemicals and the interaction of chemicals with people and the environment. The series promotes the use of scientific principles, processes, and evidence in public decision making. The components of a CEPUP module are a teacher's guide and a kit of materials. (SEPUP--the Science Education for Public Understanding Program--is the second phase of the project that began as CEPUP.)
Teacher's Guide
Recommended grade level:
7-8.
In Plastics in Our Lives, students learn some of the physical and chemical properties of plastics and examine societal issues involved in the use and recycling of plastic materials. Among the activities in the unit, for example, students identify common plastic products and list resources used to produce plastics. They examine the physical properties of 4 common plastics and the advantages and disadvantages of plastic compared with the attributes of natural materials. Students synthesize 2 polymers and compare their properties. They use paper clips to make models of polymer molecules and then describe the behavior of various plastics in terms of molecular structure. They compare the insulating value of popcorn and polystyrene foam "popcorn" and compare the absorbency of cloth diapers and disposable diapers. In other activities, students examine issues related to the disposal of plastics and consider the decision of whether to use plastic or paper bags in light of the trade-offs that accompany each choice.
The 8 activities in Plastics in Our Lives take 12 class periods of 40 to 50 minutes each to complete. Included in this slim, wire-bound book are reproducible student sheets, directions for guiding activities and discussions, suggestions for extensions, and an end-of-unit test.
Key to Content Standards: 5-8 (see app. C)
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES: Evidence, models, and explanation; form and function.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; understandings about scientific inquiry.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE: Properties and changes of properties in matter.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Abilities of technological design; understandings about science and technology.
SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES: Risks and benefits; science and technology in society.
Prices:
Teacher's guide (ISBN 0-201-28430-8), $19.99. Module, $220.99.
Publisher/supplier:
Sargent-Welch/VWR Scientific.
Materials:
Available locally, from commercial suppliers, or in kit.
Topic Index listings linked to this entry
Use these listings to find related entries.
Models, Physical Sciences: Glencoe Physical Science, ~ Matter: Building Block of the Universe, ~ Chemical Interactions, ~ Experimenting with Model Rockets, ~ Inventor's Lab, ~ Newton's Toy Box, ~ Experiments with Balloons, ~ Experiments with Motion, ~ LEGO Technic I Activity Center, ~ Machines, ~ Science Experiments: Chemistry and Physics, ~ Simple and Motorized Machines Activity Pack, ~ Soap Films and Bubbles, ~ Structures, Life Sciences: Glencoe Life Science, ~ Heredity: The Code of Life, ~ DNA--From Genes to Proteins, ~ Food, Energy, and Growth, ~ From Genes to Jeans: An Activity-Based Unit on Genetic Engineering and Agriculture, ~ The Human Body: How Can I Maintain and Care for Myself?, ~ An Introduction to Biotechnology: Book 2, ~ Life Changes through Time, ~ You and Your Body, ~ Zebra Mussel Mania, ~ The Molecular Model of DNA and Its Replication Kit, ~ Order and Diversity in the Living World: Teaching Taxonomy and Systematics in Schools, Environmental Sciences: Water: Can We Keep It Fit for Life?, ~ Environmental Issues: Intermediate, ~ Environmental Resource Guide: Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention, ~ Global Awareness for Students (GAS): Studies in Climate, ~ H2O Below: An Activity Guide for Groundwater Study, ~ STV: Water, Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth, Moon, and Stars, ~ Earth Processes, ~ Earthquake!, ~ Earthquakes, ~ The Moons of Jupiter, ~ Project Earth Science: Geology, ~ River Cutters, ~ Stories in Stone, ~ The Universe: Exploring Stars, Constellations, and Galaxies, ~ Earthquakes: A Teacher's Package for K-6, ~ Earth Science Investigations, ~ Earthy Things, ~ Hands-On Geology: K-12 Activities and Resources, ~ Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, ~ Project SPICA: A Teacher Resource to Enhance Astronomy Education, ~ A Sedimentary Geologists' Guide to Helping K-12 Earth Science Teachers: Hints, Ideas, Activities and Resources, Multi & Applied Sciences: Models and Designs, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Energy Transformations: Fourth Module in Bio-Related Technologies Unit, ~ Hot Water and Warm Homes from Sunlight, ~ How Telecommunication Works: How People Use Energy to Communicate, ~ If Shipwrecks Could Talk, ~ JASON IV Curriculum: Baja California Sur, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars, ~ Packaging, ~ A Sunken Ship, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ Technology Science Mathematics Connection Activities, ~ Transformations: Science, Technology and Society.
Plastics, Physical Sciences: Chemistry of Matter, ~ Plastics and Polymers, Environmental Sciences: Issues, Evidence and You, The Waste Hierarchy: Where Is "Away"?, ~ Cycling Back to Nature with Biodegradable Polymers, ~ Hands on Plastics: A Scientific Investigation Kit.
Polymers, Physical Sciences: Chemistry of Matter, ~ Fun with Chemistry: A Guidebook of K-12 Activities. Vol. 2, ~ Plastics and Polymers, Environmental Sciences: Cycling Back to Nature with Biodegradable Polymers, ~ Hands on Plastics: A Scientific Investigation Kit, ~ Minds-on Science: For Profit, for Planet, Multi & Applied Sciences: Manufacturing.
Recycling, Physical Sciences: Energy Bridges to Science, Technology and Society, Life Sciences: Middle School Life Science, Environmental Sciences: There Is No Away, Solid Waste: Is There a Solution?, ~ The Waste Hierarchy: Where Is "Away"?, ~ Waste Management: Third Module in Bio-Related Technologies Unit, ~ Cycling Back to Nature with Biodegradable Polymers, ~ The Environment: The Science and Politics of Protecting Our Planet, ~ Experiments That Explore Recycling, ~ Hands on Plastics: A Scientific Investigation Kit, Multi & Applied Sciences: The Technology of Paper, ~ Transformations: Science, Technology and Society.
