Creative Bioplastics

I am going to focus more on the bioplastics lab because I can definitely see me implementing this into my classroom when addressing physical and chemical properties/changes.  I am planning to have the students make the plastic as prescribed, have the students run tests on the plastic and then decide which "company" they would like to work for...

1. Dasani water bottles are looking to create a bioplastic that is durable and does not absorb the water it is carrying.
2. Nylabone is looking to create a rigid, durable and safe dog bone from bioplastic that will hold up to sharp puppy teeth.
3. Ziploc is looking to create a container that is made of bioplastic, but is safe and heat tolerate when reheating food in the microwave.

They will have to report out what changes they made to the original "recipe" and what results they found.  I am not sure the exact details yet, but I'm thinking the students would really enjoy this project and it is a great real world application.

As for communications coming back into my classroom, I am thinking that I will invite Women in Science and Engineering students to come into my classroom, but I'm not sure when/and for what unit yet.  I would also like to incorporate the science job search into my classroom somewhere, with a discussion about all of the possible jobs in science that are out there waiting for students to enter into.  I am also planning to incorporate Collin's idea for Research Funding into my classroom at the start of the year and revisit it throughout the year.