Classroom Resources For Teachers

Lesson Plans (located at the AGPA P-16 Science Education website)

• Will It Stretch? - Students will receive unexpected results when a rubber band is heated and cooled. From this activity they will learn about one of the unique physical properties of the polymer, rubber.
• Balloon Ball Bounce - In this activity, students will realize that different sports use balls with different amounts of rebound. Understanding this idea, the students will determine if the number of balloons in a balloon ball affect the rebound height. The students will then use the ball to discuss energy conversions
• Plastics and Rubber: What's the Difference? - In this lesson students use observation skills to classify 10-15 common household items into two groups based upon their physical properties. The items are actually all examples of rubber or plastics.
• Build a Better Bouncer - Students discover the effect of placing additives in a glue-based putty to alter the physical properties of the putty. They are then challenged to use their knowledge to design the best bouncing ball possible from the simple materials available to them.
• How Shocking! - Students will be challenged to build a shock absorbing structure using different polymeric materials or rubber that would best protect a gelatin "head" during an impact.
• Where in the World is Rubber? - Students will learn about the various people and places associated with those areas that produce natural rubber. They will be able to define and identify specific regions using human and physical characteristics.
• A Brief History of Rubber - Students will explore the development of rubber and its use in society. They will research the history of rubber and will construct a timeline to display key events and the progression of rubber's use in society.

Educational Videos (located at the AGPA P-16 Science Education website)

A Brief History of Rubber

Impact Testing Demonstration

How to Make a Balloon Ball

Ball and Ring Experiment

Apple Creek Elementary School 5th Grade Drama Club Presents: "The History of Rubber"