Hands On Plastics: A Scientific Investigation Kit

The Hands-on Plastics kit was designed for middle level science students by middle level science teachers in
partnership with The American Plastics Council. Since the introduction of the kit in March of 1994, more than 25,000 kits have been distributed to teachers across the United States impacting more than two million students. These students have experienced the excitement of a hands-on scientific investigation into the plastics they use every day. The American Plastics Council both produces and distributes this kit.

Each kit contains: six recycled plastic pellet samples, a CD-ROM containing NSES-aligned, inquiry-based activities and extensions, background information on polymers and plastics, and pictures of a recycled plastic lumber factory. An Internet browser is required for the CD-ROM.

The kit is available for free.

A new Hands On Plastics website, launched in April 2000 in conjunction with the NSTA National Convention, makes learning about and teaching plastics even more exciting.

A single copy of the video, "The Busy, Busy Planet," is available free from The American Plastics Council. (This is an 11-minute video exploring the many ways plastics benefit our lives and our environment.) In addition to this video, APC has a number of other resources available to teachers online.

To order this kit write to:

American Plastics Council
1300 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 253-0700

You may also order the kit online or call 1-800-2-HELP-90 for more information or to place an order over the phone.