Plastics are everywhere around us, and they are important for many things. Some plastics we keep, and some we throw away. Some we use for years; some we use only one time. Have you ever thought about what happens to plastics after we use them?

This lesson uses a hands-on approach with an interactive relay race activity to introduce elementary-aged students to different kinds of plastic materials, what kinds of functions they perform and why, and how we can sort common plastics for recycling using recycling codes. 

In this STEMonDemand lesson, University of Southern Mississippi Polymers PhD Candidate Alyssa Shaw introduces elementary students to the polymer plastics we use in our everyday lives.

Lesson Length: Approximately 1 hour

MSCCR Science Standards:

·         P.3.5–Properties and classification of matter

·         E.3.10–Earth’s resources and human impact

·         P.4.5–Structure and properties of matter

·         P.5.5–Structure of matter

·         L.5.3–Interdependence of systems