PSPC's membership includes manufacturers of polystyrene resin, polystyrene foam and rigid food service packaging. This comprehensive site offers background information on polymer chemistry, as well as the award-winning Hands On Plastics activities. The site also offers FREE lesson plans and companion kits for educators. Please click here to access Teaching Plastics . Recycling by the Numbers Packaging Particulars Hot is Hot, Cold is Not Keeping things hot or cold takes certain qualities.
Some materials insulate better than others, while some offer no insulation at all.
To determine how well a material insulates, have your students try the following simple group experiments. Give each team a glass, paper, metal and polystyrene foam cup. Have each team boil water and pour it into each cup. Have the students record, or graph, their observations in a chart. Again, have the student record their observations on a chart or graph.