Science+Art+Design Lab Workshops: Sustainable Plastics: Biopolymers
Experiment and Results Dates:
Mon, Sept 16, 2019
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (EST)
University Center: Rm 618
Tues, Sept 17, 2019
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (EST)
University Center: Rm 618
Fri, Sept 20, 2019
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (EST)
University Center: Rm 618
With 8 billion tons of plastic waste entering our oceans, a move towards recycling and reuse has been implemented. Alongside these efforts, a movement to create biodegradable plastics is also underway.Commercially, if a plastic contains 20% renewable material it is considered to be “bio-based.” This 20% is usually made of shrimp shells, wood, coconut, wheat, corn or other renewable materials. This also means the remaining 80% can be made from traditional fossil fuel-based plastic polymers. These fuel-based plastics leach and create a concentrated source of estrogen disruptors (Link) that negatively impact biodiversity and human health. Join us as we explore more sustainable and less toxic polymers in an effort to protect ecosystem health and reduce landfill waste. In this lab, we use a very simple proof of concept approach to creating biopolymers from household items such as starch, milk, and sugar and examine variables such as temperature, concentration, and time in their synthesis.
Resources
Blog Post: Martinko, Katherine. Nov 28, 2017. “The problem with bioplastics.” TreeHugger, Treehugger. Link
Video: TEDxTalks. Aug 25, 2016 “Bioplastic Fantastic: Why we don’t need oil for plastics | Kathryn Sheridan | TEDxGhent.” YouTube. Link
Feature Science Article: Drahl, C. June 22, 2019. How Seafood Shells Could Solve the Plastic Waste Problem. Science News 195 (11):18-22. Link
This event is sponsored by The Department of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts and The Provost Office.
The University Science Labs host Science+Art+Design Lab Workshops during the academic year and welcome faculty, students, staff and members of the neighboring community to join us.
Lab Workshops use a social justice framework to empower attendees with the knowledge, values, and methods of science to address pressing planetary health challenges.
Lab staff highlight basic scientific principles and techniques as they relate to emerging practices and innovations to support sustainable development.
All Labs are FREE but we do ask that you RSVP and review resources prior to the lab session. We will be taking reservations starting Aug 26th at this site tinyurl.com/z4n45ja. We also welcome drop-in for open seats but ask that those interested check for prep materials and availability of open seats by contacting Tnssciencelabs@newschool.edu the week of the lab workshop.
To prepare for your lab visit, see The New School Events and search for events by date or using the keywords “University Science Labs;” there you will find a short resource list to review that provides background for your to participate in the lab experience.
Sponsored by the Provost Office and the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Eugene Lang College.
For more information about the science labs or the Interdisciplinary Science major or minor centered on health, environment and equity, contact Katayoun Chamany the Chair of the program and Director of the University Science Labs: chamanyk@newschool.edu