IOWA 4-9 SCIENCE PROJECT

TEACHER GUIDE FOR: Making Recycled Paper KAY HOYT
ECOLOGY.46J Grades 4-6

CONCEPT OBJECTIVE:
Students will experiment with a variety of materials to determine how paper can be made from used materials.

PROCESS OBJECTIVES:
Students will develop observing, measuring, and exploring skills.

TEACHER INFORMATION:
This cycle will take from 1-2 days to a week or more depending on student interest and the time they need to complete their investigations. The initial process, making the slurry and then pressing the water out, can be a brief teacher demonstration. Modifications and additions to this process will be tried by the students. Not all will be successful. If you use a blender you will want to make sure there is enough water added. A hand egg beater can be used, but it is very difficult for some students to get it to work. Making paper works well if done in cooperative groups. The teacher needs to demonstrate the following steps: 1. Tear 1 sheet of newspaper into tiny 1cm x 1cm pieces and soak them in a bucket of warm water overnight. 2. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and put mixture into a blender and blend until soft and smooth. (Be sure there is plenty of water in the blender.) If you don't have time to soak the paper this can be eliminated if you blend it longer. 3. Pour off excess water, a fine strainer is helpful but not necessary. 4. Slowly pour the mixture, called slurry onto the screen which is held over a pan or sink. Use your hands to gently pat and flatten the slurry onto the screen so it's smooth and flatter than a pancake. Shape is not important. When most of the water has dripped off place the screen on several newspapers with a garbage bag or plastic piece underneath. This can be done on the floor. Have sponges nearby to absorb excess water. 5.Cover the slurry with a piece of plastic wrap and using a wooden board or block gently, but firmly press the water from the slurry. As the newspaper absorbs the water, move the screen to a dry spot. Be sure to leave the plastic wrap on top of the mixture. Continue pressing the water out until the newspaper is no longer absorbing water. Separate the recycled paper from the screen by turning it upside down and peeling the paper off. Let the paper stick to the plastic wrap, do not remove it until dry. The pattern from the screen will be visible. If students want it smoother they can press the screen pattern out. They will need to put it between two pieces of plastic wrap to do this. The wet paper is very fragile and should not be moved a lot, but it is now resting on the plastic wrap and that is how you move it to an area to dry. Allow the paper to dry overnight. It can also be put in a sunny spot. Speed drying can be done in about 10 minutes with an iron on the cotton setting. Protect your paper from heat by putting it between layers of paper towels or newspaper. A piece of masking tape with the student's name on it can be attached to the plastic wrap for identification the next day.

MATERIALS:
For each group of 3 (Or teacher's grouping)
plastic container, dishpan, tub, ice cream bucket
cornstarch (optional)
spoon
blender or eggbeater
water
strainer
plastic wrap
newspaper (Lots)
piece of window screen (can be obtained from a hardware store that replaces screens - cut the pieces into rectangles and protect the edges with duct tape)
grass clippings
wooden blocks or flat pieces to press out water.
leaves
varieties of used paper
garbage bags
sponges
paper towels
(It is very helpful if the materials for a group are all in one container except for the variety of used paper, grass clippings, etc. that the group needs to choose.)

EXPLORATION:
After students have been shown the method of making and pressing the paper, divide them into groups. Have one students get the materials, another a paper and pencil for recording predictions and results, and another the water. Instruct the group to choose one material to test, predict what the paper will be like when dry and then complete the process.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT:
After the paper is dry have the groups compare the results. This can be done as a whole group discussion and sharing time, or with group pairings. Note likenesses and differences in the paper produced. Ask, "Which paper seems the strongest? Which paper seems the thinnest? Which paper has color or no color? In what ways could the paper be used?"

APPLICATION:
Students will return to their groups and continue to make several different kinds of paper. Records should be kept in simple log form of what we did or materials used, and what we found out or results.

Collections of products made from recycled paper can be displayed.

Students should find ways to use their product.

EVALUATION:
The teachers observation of the students and their group logs will be valid evaluation of this cycle.