Innovating Science® STEM Investigations: Design a Biodegradable Plastic
Grades 9–12
Hundreds of millions of tons of plastic are produced each year. Most are created to be disposable items, leading to excessive amounts of plastic being discarded into landfills and the oceans.Â
This poses a major threat to the environment, so scientists and engineers are developing bioplastics that break down more quickly and produce less harmful byproducts than traditional plastics.Â
In this activity, students will make samples of different bioplastics to study how their composition affects their physical properties. Then, they’ll use what they have learned to create a bioplastic that could be used to replace the PET plastic in disposable water bottles. Additionally, students will design an experiment to compare the biodegradability of their bioplastic samples to a traditional plastic.Â
Each kit contains materials for 15 groups of students. NGSS-aligned teacher’s guide and student study guide copymasters included.
Kit includes:
- 25 ml glycerin
- 75 ml vinegar
- 175 g gelatin
- 125 g starch
- 45 Petri dishes
- 30 pipettes
WARNING: Choking Hazard. Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.
Recently Viewed Products
Nasco Education is now part of School Specialty! Read our FAQs to learn more.

