The Sustainable Polymers: Confronting the Plastic Crisis curriculum is designed for high school youth focusing on the history, prevalence, impacts, and future of plastics. Plastics are versatile materials that come in different shapes, sizes, and exhibit different material properties. Scientists and engineers are working on new ways to create, use, and recycle plastics, so we can use plastics for their many advantages and lessen their effects on our environment. The curriculum is designed to build foundational skills of science and engineering: observation, asking questions and defining problems, planning and carrying out investigations, and communicating. The curriculum is intended for delivery in out-of-school time facilitated by an educator (trained volunteers or program staff). Youth will explore polymer science content through a guided activity helping to prepare them for engagement as teachers of younger youth or to undertake a service project. Each module includes educator background reading and additional tips.

The modules were developed in collaboration with Extension Professionals from Cornell University, the University of California, Davis, and the University of Minnesota.

This curriculum is part of a series with titles for every grade level:

• 4-H Polymers: Be a Scientist! Materials in a Green, Clean World , Grades K-2
• Sustainable Polymers: Plastics of the Future for a Green, Clean World, Grades 3-5
• Sustainable Polymers: Taking Action to Solve the Challenge of Plastics, Grades 6-8

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