For this project, the students are exploring the development of bioplastics. They explored the benefits of bioplastics on the environment. They then designed a plastic that they are able to take from a liquid to a solid and back to a liquid. They will ask questions and make predictions about how they can use their understanding of the properties of matter to identify the best procedure for developing a high-quality bioplastic. Then, design an investigation by selecting one or more types of materials to investigate and properties to test. They will then analyze the strength of their plastic and identify the best use for their plastic. Finally, write a lab report that outlines their scientific investigation, and make conclusions about their bioplastic.

In this project the students will:

1.) Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.

2.) Measure and graph quantities to provide evidence that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total weight of matter is conserved.

3.) Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.

4.) Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in a new substance.

Fraction Multiplication & Division

By the time the student finish this unit they should be able to:

1. Multiply a fraction by a fraction

2. Perform division involving unit fractions and whole numbers

3. Solve word problems involving fractions.

4. Find areas of rectangles with mixed number side lengths.