2.22 Create and Observe Properties of Biodegradable Plastic Made From Corn
This Grow Your PALS Program Guide lesson (Lesson 22, part of the National FFA Mentoring Program) is a small-group, hands-on activity in which a mentor (PALS) guides a younger student to create biodegradable plastic from cornstarch, corn oil, water, and food coloring. Students observe the properties of the corn-based plastic and learn how it compares to traditional oil-based plastic, including the concepts of biodegradability and renewable resources. The lesson includes an interest approach with popcorn, a guided experiment, review/application activities, and a true/false and short-answer assessment.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Create and observe the properties of biodegradable plastic made from corn.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 30 minutes.
- Materials
-
- tablespoon measure
- eyedropper
- box of cornstarch
- bottle of corn oil
- water
- small plastic cup
- spoon or stirring stick
- plate covered with wax paper
- access to microwave oven
- plastic cookie cutters
- can of nonstick cooking spray
- pre-popped bag of popcorn
- PALS.22.Assess.A – 1 per student
- Unit
- Agricultural Mechanics and Technology
- Lesson Type
- Small Group
- Precepts
- E. Awareness — E1. Address issues important to the community
- Key Terms
- biodegradable
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- NS.K-4.1Science as Inquiry