Chemical Education Today
Book & Media Reviews
Chain Gang—The Chemistry of Polymers Science in Our World, Vol. 5. Mickey Sarquis, series editor. Terrific Science Press: Middletown, OH, 1995. xiv + 149 pp. ISBN 1-883822-13-0. Spiral-bound, $13.95.
Our familiarity with plastics makes polymers ideal examples of chemicals for discussion in K–12 science classes. Most importantly, polymers can be used as examples of chemicals that are safe to handle and of obvious use to society. The structures of polymers are easily represented by a number of models. These simple models go a long way in explaining the familiar physical properties of plastics. However, the introduction of polymers in the classroom relies on the availability of teaching material, experiments, and demonstrations that illustrate concepts in the current science curriculum. Chain Gang—The Chemistry of Polymers, one of the Science in Our World series published by the Center for Chemical Education at Miami University–Middletown (Ohio), will serve as a great resource for teachers interested in providing their students with a series of activities that can be related to their everyday experiences with these ubiquitous chemicals. After a brief introduction to some basic concepts, the book presents a series of 23 experiments. The collection of experiments presented here spans illustrations of chemistry, physical properties, analysis, and processing. Each experiment is recommended as either a hands-on activity or demonstration for various grade levels. A guide for the teacher suggests how the experiment can be used to illustrate topics in the science curriculum. The materials required for each activity are listed in detail, with quantities and sources (all materials are available from Flinn Scientific or hardware stores). There are detailed instructions for preparation of each experiment and how to introduce the experiment to students, and step-by-step instructions for activity. Very importantly, safety and disposal issues are clearly presented. Suggestions for cross-curriculum integration are also provided, with ties to social studies, language arts, art, and mathematics. Chain Gang is an exceptionally useful resource for the motivated, experienced, capable, and confident science teacher. For teachers with less experience in chemistry, the book is ideal for training workshops and in-services. Teachers quickly develop the confidence to explore the activities if they are introduced to the book and led through a handful of experiments in a workshop setting. Our reliance on polymers in such diverse fields as packaging, transportation, health, and construction warrants some discussion of the science of long-chain molecules in K–12 science classrooms. Chain Gang provides plenty of opportunities, which teachers will be able to tailor to their own curriculum. With modest training, these teachers will be armed with activities to excite, intrigue, and motivate their students to consider the role of polymer chemistry in their lives. David M. Collard School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA 30332-0400
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Journal of Chemical Education • Vol. 76 No. 1 January 1999 • JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu
