As part of the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program at the University of Southern Mississippi's School of Polymer Science and Engeering, a lesson plan was created through which students learn the science of tensile testing as well as how to be better stewarts of the environment. Thorugh this lesson, students learned the role that polymers play in their everyday lives, while becoming aware of the growing marine microplastics problem. Students took a pretest to assess their prior knowldege of the products made from polymers, such as desks, pencils and even clothing. The teacher assessed the student's prior knowledge of the growing marine microplastics problem and the efects it has on marine life. Through independent research and teacher-led discussion, videos and interviews, students discovered how fishing lines contribute to the growing marine microplastics problem. Students were given materials to assemble redfish rigs using four commonly available polymers (Nylon, PE, PVDF and PP). Students form a hypothesis on which polymer they think has the highest tensile strength, and therefore has the least chance of fouling. The students were grouped, with four students per group, and the students constructed crude tensile testing apparatuses to test the tensile strength of the fishing lines. The students used these apparatuses to test the redfish rig made from each polymer, with four total tensile testing stations and each testing station set up to test a different polymer. The groups gathered data, created graphs, reported that data to classmates, as well as compared data across the class. The students, then made four more redfish rigs using what they learned through the first trial of tensile testing. Ultimately, the students learned about the growing microplastics problem and how they can be better environmental stewards.

Research experience for teachers: Bringing polymer science into the high school classroom

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.