Crystals and Polymers

Crystals and Polymers is a Baby CTY course which has students learn about chemical structure such as types of rocks and metals. Its course code is CPOL. This course is offered at:

First Session Only: Los Angeles (Loyola Marymount), La Jolla

Second Session Only: Bristol and Alexandria

Both Sessions: Easton

Course Description

From the CTY Summer Catalog:

Why do some plastic containers melt in a microwave oven while others don’t? What makes Silly Putty® stretchy? How are packing peanuts made? Chemical structure provides the key for answering these questions. In this introductory chemistry course, students examine how the many different possible arrangements of a small number of basic building blocks determine the properties and behaviors of gems and polymers.

Students begin by investigating the building blocks: atoms. As they learn about ions and the three-dimensional structure of compounds, students construct models and grow crystals such as salt or rock candy in the lab. They discover how small changes in the structures of different gems lead to dramatic changes in their shapes and colors. Moving on to polymers, students synthesize slime or silly putty to investigate concepts such as molecular chain length and cross-linking. They then explore commercial applications, experimenting with superabsorbent molecules like those used in diapers. Students also research how different plastics are synthesized and how that affects their properties, including recyclability and malleability. Finally students engage in activities such as isolating strawberry DNA and denaturing proteins to study biopolymers.

Throughout the course, students apply their new-found knowledge of chemical bonding and structure to develop a more thorough understanding of the materials in their everyday lives.

Lab Fee: $65

Students must have completed grades: 5 or 6