By Dr. Kenneth Lyle, Duke University, Durham NC and Elaine “Lainey” Williams
Thermoplastic Polymers for All!
When thermoplastic polymer became available a couple of years ago, we purchased a bottle to see if it would be a viable addition to our chemistry outreach program. Since then, literally hundreds of people, young and old, have experienced molding the thermoplastic, taking their creations home in Zip-loc® bags.
And now, with the availability of dyes, a whole new world of creative design has opened up. The molding of a thermoplastic activity has been incorporated into our “Polymers” and “Chemistry of Crafts” hands-on outreach presentations, and has been used as a stand-alone station.
Posted by Donna Giachetti 
By Tami G. O’Connor
by: Donna Giachetti
EDITOR’S NOTE: At Educational Innovations, we are always looking for creative new teaching ideas to use in the science classroom. Like you, we know how cool science is—the trick is to communicate that sense of excitement and discovery to our students. Here is a social media-based classroom project that we thought our readers might enjoy. Let us know what you think! 
Why not insert a bit of green science humor into your next quiz or homework page? Extra points for students who guess the right answers to our riddles!