Shape memory polymers have multiple applications in aerospace, medicine, and robotics. In the 5E lesson plan I will be presenting, students are able to make a shape memory polymer using only 2 ingredients: silicone-1 caulk and polyethylene glycol (widely available as MiraLAX). They will compare the shape memory polymer that they’ve made to the more common “oogoo” – a mixture of silicone-1 caulk and corn starch – in order to investigate how the properties of the mixture change based on the ingredients. Additional resources will also be shared to help students explore this topic further, including an extension lab activity where students create a sponge-like material from the silicone and MiraLAX. Students can then use the sponge to simulate an oil spill clean-up.

Shape memory polymers in the classroom

255th National Meeting (2018)

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