Is it possible to create substitutes for plastic utilizing renewable resources?
WashU engineer Marcus Foston has dedicated his career to exploring this inquiry. Today, 25 middle school pupils from Central Middle School within the Riverview Gardens School District are collaborating with him on this mission. They are participating in Washington University in St. Louis’ “Researcher for a Day” initiative, an engaging opportunity where young learners spend an entire day on campus, performing experiments in WashU laboratories, investigating related science careers, and interacting with WashU students and faculty.
“Numerous studies indicate that a science identity begins to form as early as middle school, and my aim today is to involve these students in authentic science so they can recognize that this is something they can pursue if they choose to,” stated Foston, an associate professor specializing in energy, environmental, and chemical engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering.
The students break into groups, don white lab coats, and begin crafting bouncy balls, which are usually produced from petroleum-based plastic, using diverse mixtures of glue and natural components like potato starch, cornstarch, and borax. They drop their bouncy creations from a designated height, document how high each one rebounds, and analyze their findings.
“Alright, now it’s your turn to devise your own formula. Can you concoct a bouncy ball that will rebound higher?” challenges Alex Forgerson, an instructional specialist with WashU’s Institute for School Partnership, the organizer of the “Researcher for a Day” program, which collaborates with schools throughout the region to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
McKelvey Engineering student Hayden Carlson solicits suggestions from his group of middle schoolers. One student proposes adding extra cornstarch, while another has a different proposal.
“Upon reviewing the data, I noticed that the balls containing more potato starch bounced higher, so let’s incorporate more of that,” the student recommends.
Great decision. The team’s new ball rebounds 27 centimeters, surpassing the others. Central Middle School math instructor Stacey Miller appreciates the results.
“In class, we emphasize to our students that they are capable, that occasionally things won’t succeed on the first attempt, but persistence is key because that’s how learning occurs,” Miller expressed. “Hearing that message from a genuine scientist, one who resembles them, is significant.”
Next, they will enjoy lunch and tour the campus. Before they depart, Foston motivates the students by suggesting that they might one day tackle the next significant challenge.
“Hopefully, you observed how we were able to apply some concepts from our science and math classes to carry out this straightforward experiment,” Foston remarked. “Now, consider the prospects of creating the next technology that surpasses a cellphone or an artificial intelligence program that outperforms ChatGPT. It’s going to require skills. Every year, you are progressing toward that goal.”
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