Molecules of Life

Polymers

May 2, 2012 in Polymers

On Friday, December 2nd, 2011, the 3rd and 4th grade students in Ms. Tanya Steinberg’s class at St. John Bosco School linked together to mimic a polymer chain as they learned about macromolecules, thanks to the team of Amber Stevens (B.A. Studio Arts, Concordia U.) and and Robert Hopewell (M.Sc. Chemistry, U. Montréal). Amber and Robert first explained that polymers are formed by the joining together of smaller molecular units called monomers and that there are both natural and synthetic (human-made) polymers. The students were then given a variety of cards containing samples of various polymers (i.e. nylon, rayon, silk, cellulose, wool…) and asked if they thought they could guess the polymer and if it was natural or synthetic. The students were then asked to identify things made of polymers around the classroom, such as the their wooden desks, papers and cotton T-shirts, all made from the polymer cellulose, which is a chain of sugar monomers. The students made next their own polymer chain by linking their arms together. As their chain wrapped upon itself, the students were asked to imagine the ways polymers could naturally fold together and become entangled.

Exploring a synthetic polymer more closely, the students watched as Robert dissolved polystyrene foam (styrofoam) cups into acetone (nail polish remover) releasing the trapped air in the foam to produce a sticky goo of polystyrene. Examining samples after various stages of drying, the students recognized that the polystyrene could be stretched and molded until it dried into a brittle plastic, which is commonly used to manufacture various things such as CD cases, disposable razors and smoke detector housings.

Experiencing the organized entanglement of polymer chains, the students were taught by Amber how to weave baskets using yarn and paper. Note, yarn may be made from various natural and synthetic polymers such as sheep wool, which is made from a natural protein polymer called keratin, a key component of hair. Wrapping natural wool polymers around to make baskets, the students were exposed to one of the most important crafts in the history of human civilization.

Making cross-links from their experiences in the identification, formation, properties and uses of polymers, the students thanked team polymer for enwrapping them in the magic of Molecules of Life.

For more on the Foam Cup Meltdown see http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/science-projects-for-kids-chemical-reactions1.htm

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Saturn Odyssey

May 2, 2012 in Space

On May 20 and June 17 2011, at events hosted by Caroline Steele (BFA, Concordia University) and Alexandra Aubé (BSc, University of Montreal) the 3rd grade students of the class of Ms.Paula Shuster at FACE School and Ms.Nathalie Ricard School-Paul Bruchési of Montreal have imagined traveling through the 1300 million kilometers that distance the Earth from Saturn.

Through a play written by Caroline with scientific facts explained by Alexandra and in which all students participated, students discovered the centrifugal and centripetal forces, the composition of Saturn and its largest moon Titan as well as the rings of this impressive planet. Indeed, wanting to go to Saturn for a picnic, the chef of the crew was very disappointed to learn that Saturn was made only of hydrogen and helium, two gases that we also find on Earth. Instead, they landed on the moon Titan, where the soil is made of rock and ice but where the temperature is -179 ° C! Meeting the wicked inhabitants of Titan, the crew had to flee. They crossed the 70,000 km of rock and ice that make up Saturn’s rings to take refuge. There, the members of the crew felt very heavy, it was because of the gravitational force, which was much greater since Saturn has nine times the size of the Earth. They also met the Queen of Saturn who offered them to dance to the Saturnian way. The characters rotated a balloon that contained a coin; by rotating the balloon, the coin was subjected to centrifugal force and rolled on the sides of the balloon creating a strange music. The crew then left the planet that Galileo Galilei sighted for the first time in 1610.

After the play, Alexandra went on to answer scientific questions that this act aroused in their minds.

It was through an adventurous and comic odyssey that the molecules of life team had students travel in the space between art and science!

You can access the play from this link: Saturn Odyssey

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Anethol

October 11, 2011 in Plants

On Wednesday, November 26th, 2008, the students in Mrs Shuster’s third grade class at École F.A.C.E. School continued to extract natural products from plants as university students Elisabeth Nguyen (B.Sc., U. Montréal) and Nina Pariser (BA Art Education, Concordia U) presented the molecule of the day “anethol” from the seeds of the anise plant. In an interactive discussion, Elisabeth and Nina explained that anise is one of the oldest spice plants for culinary and medicinal purposes. Anise was used in Egypt as early as 1500 B.C. To aid digestion the Romans enjoyed anise-spiced cakes, and even the Bible mentions that tithe was sometimes paid with anise.

Starting by pretending to have sore throats and stomach aches, Elisabeth and Nina sparked a discussion on what kinds of treatments the students use when they are feeling such ailments. They then described how tea from the anise plant contains anethol which has been shown to relieve sore throat and aching stomach conditions. The students were given samples of anise seeds and asked to describe their smell. Subsequently, they were refreshed on the issues of laboratory safety, and aided by a volunteer, Elisabeth performed an extraction of anise seeds with hot water, a technique with which the students had now considerable experience. Passing the tea around, the students recognized the smell of licorice which derives its taste from anise. Nina then discussed other facts about anise and anethol, such as their use to poison pigeons and the fabled use of an anise seed under your pillow to prevent nightmares. Eventually, the discussion turned to the use of anise to relieve oneself of flatulence, a useful term for the students to describe something for which their vocabulary may have been deficient. To refresh these concepts, the students performed “Anethol” the play.

Scene one, the king of ancient Egypt awakes feeling hungry, complains about the strange flowers of anise that he does not like in his garden and demands his cooks to make him something to eat. The cooks, who are inspired by an evil talking pigeon, prepare the king bean chili, which the King eats in Scene two, resulting in his suffering of a bout of flatulence. In Act two, the doctors are unsuccessful in ridding the king of his flatulence using different remedies, yet suggest that the king summon Anethol, who knows the ways of the herbs and who holds the secret for relieving flatulence. Anethol who is brought in as a prisoner refuses to aid the king until he is calmed by the doctors and consents by telling the king to gather up the seeds of the plants that he detests and prepares a tea from the anise seeds. The king is relieved, names the plant Anise a royal treasure and the tea Anethol in honor of his new advisor and healer “Anethol”. All but the pigeon lived happily ever after.

Although not quite ready for Broadway, the play was a great success and well loved by the performers and audience, who profusely thanked Team Anethol and cheered for more MLPs next semester.