Classroom activity: Quirky Uses of Plastics

In this quick activity students think about the properties of the materials used to make two relatively familiar objects.

Plastics surround us in our lives and we often take them for granted.

Using this activity

Use this before you come to the Museum to set the scene for the visit and introduce the Plasticity: 100 years of making plastics exhibition.

Ask small groups to brainstorm the properties of the materials required to make the following items:

Ask some of the groups to share their ideas, then show images of the coffin and chandelier from the Plasticity exhibition:

For each image ask students why they think the designer chose those materials to make the item. Do they agree with the choices and why?