Search for Resources

Science 101: Plastics

Secondary

Description

The video provides a comprehensive examination of plastics. Beginning with their origin from natural sources, viewers follow the transition that has taken place to the mass manufacturing of synthetic products and their proliferation in our daily lives and in the environment. Specific topics explored include:

• The chemistry of plastics

• The steps involved in their production including the role of fossil fuels

• The exponential growth and ubiquitous nature of plastics in our world today

• The threats posed by microplastics

• Alternatives to synthetic plastics

 

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

In addition to supporting teaching about plastics in the environment, this program should be of interest to science/chemistry teachers looking for everyday applications of organic chemistry in general and the chemistry of hydrocarbons in particular.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science):Investigating Properties of Matter
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 30: Chemical Changes of Organic Compounds
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 11: Organic chemistry and its applications have significant implications for human health, society, and the environment
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
        • Environmental Science 11:Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science for Citizens 11:Scientific processes and knowledge inform our decisions and impact our daily lives
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Organic Chemistry
  • New Brunswick
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 121/ 122: Organic Chemistry
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Introduction to Environmental Science 120: An Overview of Environmental Science
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 2202:: Organic Chemistry
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 3205: Introduction to Environmental Science
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science):Investigating Properties of Matter
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 30: Chemical Changes of Organic Compounds
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 11: Organic Chemistry
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science):Investigating Properties of Matter
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemical Changes of Organic Compounds
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Hydrocarbons and Energy
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
        • Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • (College Prep.) Organic Chemistry
        • (Univ.Prep) Organic Chemistry
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living in a Sustainable World (Workplace Prep.) Ecosystems and Human Activity
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 421A: Content Knowledge
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 521A: Organic Chemistry
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 621A: Environmental Challenges and Successes
  • Quebec
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science and the Environment: The Material World
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 20: Human Population and Pollution
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 11: Organic chemistry and its applications have significant implications for human health, society, and the environment
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
        • Environmental Science 11:Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science for Citizens 11:Scientific processes and knowledge inform our decisions and impact our daily lives

Themes Addressed

Citizenship (1)

  • Sustainable Consumption

Waste Management (2)

  • Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
  • Source Reduction