In the 4-H Materials Science Project, youth will learn about different polymers, their traditional composition, and greener ways to produce plastics.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn about reducing waste, recycling, and reusing materials
- Discover how to think like an engineer
- Understand the prevalence of plastics in everyday life and their environmental impact
- Consider alternate materials for plastics other than traditional petroleum based polymers
- Build foundational skills in science and engineering that promote inquiry and creative thinking
4-H Materials Science Curriculum
Available through the Extension office or online.
4-H Polymers: Be a Scientist! Materials in a Green, Clean World
Be a 4-H Scientist! Materials in a Green, Clean World is an inquiry-based science curriculum focusing on the following concepts: materials; plastics; the three R’s: Reduce, Re-use, Recycle; the work of scientists and engineers. The curriculum is designed to build foundational skills of science and engineering: observation, asking questions, sorting and classifying, and communicating.
The curriculum contains six learning modules intended for delivery in out-of-school time facilitated by an educator (trained volunteers or program staff). Modules also include a “Science At Home” activity to be completed by parents/other adults and children at home. Grades K-2, ages 5-8.
Sustainable Polymers: Plastics of the Future for a Green, Clean World
This is a 4-H STEM Curriculum for Grades 3-5 (8 to 12 year olds). The themes of these modules touch on the prevalence and impact of plastics in everyday life. Plastics are versatile materials that come in different shapes, sizes, and exhibit different material properties. Scientist 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: observations, asking questions and defining problems, planning and carrying out investigations, and communicating. The curriculum contains six learning modules intended for delivery in out-of-school time facilitated by an educator (trained volunteers or program staff). Each module will include “Tips for Facilitators” and the Science and Engineering Practices, as well as opportunities to use “I Wonder” Boards. In addition, these modules incorporate the SciGirls Strategies for gender equitable STEM learning. Modules also include “Science At Home” activities that may be completed by parents/other adults and children at home.
Sustainable Polymers: Taking Action to Solve the Challenge of Plastics
This is a 4-H STEM Curriculum for Grades 6-8 (11 to 14 year olds). This is a youth-driven curriculum focusing on the use and impacts of plastics and sustainability. The curriculum is designed to build foundational skills of science and engineering: observations, asking questions and defining problems, planning and carrying out investigations, and communicating. The curriculum contains three learning phases/modules intended for delivery in out-of-school time facilitated by an educator (trained volunteers or program staff). In each phase, youth will explore polymer science content through a guided activity and then become change agents through youth-driven projects.
This curriculum is also available as a series of digital downloads from 4-HPolymers.org.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Coming soon!
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Slime – Imagination Station Toledo
Slime is an easy-to-do, fun activity that never gets old. There is something everyone loves about making a gooey and gross substance.
Slime is an example of a cross-linked polymer. Polymers are long molecules consisting of identical repeating structural units connected by covalent chemical bonds.
School glue contains a polymer called polyvinyl alcohol. Borax acts as a cross-linking agent. It connects the long polymer chains at random locations. It’s this cross-linking that gives slime its characteristic feel.
Science at Home: Slime – Museum of Science and Industry Chicago
Use polymers found at home to make slime … the gooier, the better!
Corny Polymer Ball STEM Pathways Challenge – Ohio 4-H (PDF)
Polymers are many molecules strung together to form long chains. Things made of polymers look, feel and act depending on how the atoms and molecules are connected. Some may be rubbery, while others may be sticky, gooey or even hard or tough. So, how will the ball you make react when you throw it against the floor, table or wall? Will it bounce off or just go flat?
4-H Friday Fun! Balloon Kebab (YouTube video)
4-H Friday Fun! is a series of at-home activities for parents and kids. Join Mitch Mason, Extension Educator (Cumberland County), as he performs a science experiment based on polymers. He will attempt to poke a skewer through an inflated balloon without popping it.
The PDF instructions are available through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website.
Plastic – University of Minnesota Extension
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn what plastic is and what the problem is with it; then explore what they can do about it.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County 4-H Chemistry Project
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
4hpolymers.org hosts an inquiry-based science curriculum in sustainable polymer science – engaging youth as change agents to care for the environment, to develop solutions to our plastics problems, and to create a sustainable future.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H