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Learners compare the properties of two balls that appear identical. One ball bounces, while the other ball "thuds." The “bounce” ball is made of the polymer polybutadiene (-C4H4-).

In this activity, learners explore polymer structure and their ability to reform around objects by attempting to stab a wooden skewer through a balloon without popping it.

This is written as a display, but can easily be adapted to a hands-on activity. Learners discover how all the parts of a diaper work together to keep babies dry and comfortable.

In this hands-on activity, learners use heat to shrink samples of polystyrene plastic (#6 recycle code). Learners compare the size and shape of the plastic pieces before and after shrinking.

In this activity (on page 2 of the PDF), learners (with adult help and supervision) investigate how heat affects polystyrene plastic.

During this activity, learners will make different versions of "ooze" using varied proportions of detergent and glue.

Learners observe and compare the sizes of three toy “growing” crocodiles made from water-absorbent polymers. One is it its original state, dry, hard, and about 10cm long.

Learners experiment with a piece of Silly Putty® by stretching, bouncing, and snapping it. They then create flubber, a similar substance, by mixing diluted glue and a solution of sodium borate.

This activity (on page 2 of the PDF) features a recipe to create the stretchy polymer Flubber from Borax detergent, white glue, and water.