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Natural Resource DistributionActivity for Kids

Bioplastic DIY

Duration: 45 min
Difficulty: Medium
Cost: $0 to $20

Learn how to make bioplastic using natural resources!

Visit The Full Lesson Download Instructions as PDF

Material List

1Tablespoon of Corn Starch
4Tablespoons of Water
1Teaspoon of Vinegar
1Teaspoon of Glycerin
1Silicone Spatula
1Sheet of Aluminum Foil
1Pot
1Hot Plate
Adult supervision

Instructions

1In the pot, mix 1 tablespoon of corn starch, 4 tablespoons of water, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of glycerin.
2With adult supervision, turn the hot plate to medium and mix the ingredients with the silicone spatula.
3As it is heated, it will start to thicken.
4Once the edges start to turn clear and it becomes thick, turn off the hot plate and carefully spread the material from the pot onto the aluminum foil. Remember not to touch it because it is hot!
5Let the material cool on the foil for 24 hours and then peel it off.

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Plans & Pricing

How It Works

Normal plastic is made from oil, which is unevenly distributed on Earth and is a non-renewable resource. Scientists are working on ways to make plastics from renewable resources. The bioplastic we produced is made from corn (corn starch), a renewable resource. The vinegar we mixed in caused a chemical reaction that modified the corn starch and formed a new substance. The glycerin kept it from drying out. This shows one of the ways scientists are creating bioplastic from renewable resources.