GRADE 10 ACADEMIC SCIENCE: polymer assignment

GRADE 10 SCIENCE:     POLYMER ASSIGNMENT

DUE DATE:
At the end of the period, Friday, November 15

WORK PERIOD:
Library computer lab

Friday, November 15    *


THE TASK:
Individually or in groups of 2, students will select one polymer and gather information on it.   The information will be summarized in the form of a double-sided "fact sheet" or a "3-fold pamphlet" on regular letter sized paper (8.5" x 11") OR a 10 slide PowerPoint presentation.

Keep the language simple: pretend that the poster is to be read by your sibling in Grade 8. (ie: keep the language simple!)

Information to be included is listed below.   Depending on the polymer topic, some of the items in the list below may not apply.

      -chemical name and common or trade name of polymer.   (NOTE: Some polymers only have one name.)
      -chemical structure as a line drawing or drawing, from the internet
      -raw materials used to manufacture it (such as natural gas, coal, wood.)
      -process by which the polymer is produced, in extremely simple terms.
      -properties of the polymer (physical and chemical, if applicable)
      -several uses of the polymer (Teflon frying pans, polypropylene rope . . . )
      -attractive graphics and pictures of the polymer or some of the products made from it.
      -(optional) if available, you may be able to bring in a sample of the polymer. (most are very commonly used)


THE FORMAT:
The information is to be presented in the form of a small factsheet or pamphlet with:
- minimal text (no paragraphs or even long sentences)
- avoidance of jargon and terms which you do not understand
- Graphics (drawings and pictures) which are readable, informative, attractive
-the factsheet may be computer-generated, hand-written or a combination of both




SEARCHING THE INTERNET:
I suggest you uses google.com as your basic search engine.   Your problem will be that you will find too much information and the information will be directed at a university audience.


MARKING SCHEME:
to be posted


POSSIBLE TOPICS:

polypropylene

polyester

polyethylene

polystyrene

melamine formaldehyde

polyurethane

polycarbonate

polyvinyl chloride

polyvinyl chloride

bakelite

vinyl

neoprene

Plexiglas (polymethyl methacrylate)

cellulose (wood fibre)

silk

cellulose nitrate

milk protein (casein)

Kevlar

WEBSITE LINKS:

National Geographic: Polymers
Polymers Virtual Textbook