A Polymer is made of many molecules or monomers linked together.
One way to model a polymer is for kids to use index cards to make hand-holding paper dolls.
The dolls can be taped together to form a long chain that can be displayed.
Here’s How to Make the Paper Dolls
1. Fold a 3-by-5 inch index card in half twice so that the short ends meet with each fold.
2. Unfold the card and refold it so that it has an accordion fold as shown above.
3. Draw the figure shown on one side of the folded card. Take note of the position of the folded and open edges in the diagram.
4. Cut the folded card along the lines. The lines to cut along in the diagram are dashed.
5. Keep the cut-out figure and discard the excess paper.
6. Unfold the figure and draw faces, hair, and clothes on the two paper dolls.
FYI: Each paper figure represents one monomer, so they can be alike or different. This can be up to the person creating each set of paper-dolls.
7. Fold along the line indicated in the diagram to make a stand for the dolls.
Encourage kids to be creative with their paper-doll “monomers.” I would love to see some of their creative work. You can send picture files to me at:
HAVE FUN WITH POLYMERS!
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