Plastics, Polymers, & People

Chemical & Bimolecular Engineers solve problems by manipulating or moving polymers. Polymers are made up of groups of molecules, which contain atoms. By manipulating polymers in different amounts and ways, products can be made of the same ingredient, but have vastly different properties. For example, plastic bags and plastic goggles are the same ingredients, but have different properties because of how the polymers are joined together.
Drawing of ingredients to be mixed.

Plastics, Polymers, & People TEK8 Student Guide

The student handout will be given to all students working on the design challenge. It gives a brief recap of the story, it helps the students identify what they are attempting to achieve, and it recaps the design process.

Plastics, Polymers, & People TEK8 Instructor’s Guide

This Instructor’s Guide provides the instructor additional information on how to run the design challenge with alternatives for materials and test setups as well as information to help make the design challenge a good educational experience.

Telling the Story Video

The Telling the Story Video conveys the societal impact of the student’s research that is the basis for the design challenge and will set the problem-solving context for students.

Plastics, Polymers & People – Design Challenge.mov

The Design Challenge Video leads students through the design process. It indicates materials available, states what the criteria are for success and any constraints. It also gives a second ‘level’ of the design challenge that allows ‘early completers’ to move on to a slightly more difficult challenge.