Carver Elementary students learn about the wide world of plastics

By Shireese Bell
Morning News Reporter
Published: December 2, 2008

FLORENCE — Third- and fourth-grade students at Carver Elementary School learned plastic is more than just the bottle that holds their favorite drink through hands-on experiments created by the National Plastic Center’s PlastiVan program.

Allen Jackson, Southeastern Regional educator for the National Plastic Center Museum, taught students at Carver on Tuesday about the chemistry, processing and history of plastic products.

Jackson also talked with students about possible careers in the plastic industry, science and engineering, and how plastic is a part of their everyday lives. Students from 15 different classes attempted to put a skewer through an inflated balloon without popping it. The group had to put lotion on a skewer before inserting it into the strongest part of the ballon near the knot.

The group also created its own slime by mixing several ingredients and was shown how plastic is used by by NASA and in baby diapers to soak up liquid quickly. Jackson said the experiments were practical and inquiry-based activities that cover basic topics in science or reinforce what students have learned in the classroom.

Bobby Goin, plant manager of Signode in Latta, said the experiments are wonderful tools to get students excited about science, math and engineering as well as a way to introduce students to possible careers, some of which are available in his company. Signode creates polyester strappings for packaging, and sponsored the program at Carver as well as Latta Middle School and Wilson High School.

Goin said he was notified by David Hickerson, director of state government affairs with ITW (Illinois Tool Works), the parent company of Signode, about bringing the program to the Pee Dee.

He said he was excited to sponsor the program because it was important to expose students to hands-on educational opportunities.

“This is our way of saying we have something really neat for the kids,” Goin said. “PlastiVan is a way to bring the plastic museum to the schools and educate all students on plastics and engineering.”

Carol Holliday-Schweitz, curriculum coordinator at Carver, said students were able to learn many great lessons from PlastiVan’s programs.

“You really don’t realize how important plastic is in your everyday life,” she said. “You’re not even aware of it.”

The National Plastics Center is a nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving the past, addressing the present and promoting the future of plastics through public education and awareness, according to its Web site, http://www.plasticsmuseum.org

PlastiVan travels to schools and companies throughout North America, teaching people of all ages about the chemistry, history, processing methods and environmental issues involved with plastics.