Home Learning | Cooking Up Science with Miss America
Episode 4: Polymers are all around us. From the proteins we consume to the plastic cups we drink from, polymers dominate our lives and our earth. They package our snacks but can also pollute our oceans. But do you REALLY know what a polymer is? Join Camille Schrier, science lover and Miss America 2020, to explore the science of polymers by making some slimy sodium alginate worms, and biodegradable corn plastic that is good for the earth!!
Produced by Camille Schrier, Miss America 2020, in partnership with VPM.
Want more information? Check out these links:
Activity Guide for Gummy Worms, Science Center. org
Easy-Biodegradable Plastic with Instructables.com
From Corn to Plastic: Michigan Standards, Ag Ed and Leadership
Virginia Standards of Learning (2018):
5.9 The student will investigate and understand that the conservation of energy resources is important. Key ideas include:
a) some sources of energy are considered renewable and others are not;
b) individuals and communities have means of conserving both energy and matter; and
c) advances in technology improve the ability to transfer and transform energy.
6.5 The student will investigate and understand that all matter is composed of atoms. Key ideas include:
d) Two or more atoms interact to form new substances, which are held together by electrical forces (bonds)
6.9 The student will investigate and understand that humans impact the environment and individuals can influence public policy decisions related to energy and the environment. Key ideas include:
a) Natural resources are important to protect and maintain;
b) Renewable and nonrenewable resources can be managed;
c) Major health and safety issues are associated with air and water quality;
d) Major health and safety issues are related to different forms of energy;
e) Preventive measures can protect land-use and reduce environmental hazards; and there are cost/benefit tradeoffs in conservation policies.
PS.3 The student will investigate and understand that matter has properties and is conserved in chemical and physical processes. Key ideas include:
b) Pure substances can undergo physical and chemical changes that may result in a change of properties
BIO.5 The student will investigate and understand that there are common mechanisms for inheritance. Key ideas include:
a) DNA has structure and is the foundation for protein synthesis; (includes discussion of amino acids)
