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N5 Hydrogels Assignment
This is my attempt to walk the fine line between 'supporting' and 'spoon-feeding' pupils involved in researching Hydrogels.
For example, the Flash 'slide show' below attempts to highlight some of the relevant Theory covered in N5 (and later courses) whilst leaving the pupils to research for themselves exactly what they need for their Report.
For the rest, it is mainly 'hard to find' resources - many of which have been found and shared by teachers through groups such as SSERCCHEM and STRONTIUM, which I gratefully acknowledge. Any resources produced specifically by teachers for this assessment, I will password protect to allow individual teachers to decide if they would be 'allowable', without their pupils having prior access.
KHS Assignment 2014
TASK:- To compare disposable (HYDROGEL) nappies with the other types available.
What materials are used to make the nappies?
Which nappies are best at absorbing water?
What are the economic/social/environmental impacts?
N5 Daybook KHS version
KHS - Nappy Debate
Destination GreenBaby Center
Nap Nap
ABC News
KHS - Nappy Comparison Data
On this website, you will find a document titled "Model Lab Report" which includes data for some disposable nappies which can be compared with your results.Nappy Comparison Report
Report (pdf version)
KHS - Practical
Practical Instructions (Modified)KHS - Other Nappy Types
This video introduces you to some of the alternatives to disposable (hydrogel) nappies.
KHS - How Nappies Work
This video explains how disposable (hydrogel) nappies work.
KHS - How Nappies Are Made
This video explains how disposable (hydrogel) nappies are made.
Resource 1
An animated lesson on the Theory of Hydrogels pitched at the 'right level', straddling N5 and Higher Chemistry.
Super Absorbent Polymers (SWF)
Resource 5
The Science Behind the Oil Spills
Environmental Effects Of Oil Spills
Methods For Cleaning Oil Spills
Equipment Used to Clean Up Oil Spills
Oil Spills Webpage (html)
Resource 6
Very quotable overview of Hydrogels.
What are Hydrogels? (pdf)
Resource 10
Useful resource that considers potential hazards of using hydrogels in nappies.
BabyCentre WebPage (html)
Resource 2
A Catalyst article about hydrogels. Soft contact lenses, disposable nappies, hair gel and plant water crystals all make use of substances called hydrogels. These are polymers which have the unusual property of being able to absorb huge quantities of water. The article looks at the structure of hydrogels and their uses; there are also two experiments that can be carried on domestic products.
Catalyst Article (pdf)
Resource 7
Activities adapted from educational materials developed by Middlesex University Teaching Resources (MUTR). Includes a useful fact Sheet.Resource 11
An excellent resource providing a cost comparison between different types of nappies - with and without hydrogels. Good Tables & Charts.
Nappy Cost Comparison Charts(html)
Nappy Cost Comparison Charts(pdf)
Resource 3
Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK by the Environment Agency. Not easy, but has Data Tables aplenty. Also has an 'unexpected' overall conclusion:
"There is no significant difference between any of the environmental impacts of the disposable, home use reusable and commercial laundry systems that were assessed. None of the systems studied is more or less environmentally preferable."
Environment Agency Report (pdf)
BBC Article on Report (html)
Updated (and much shorter) version of the report. Again, possibility of using some of the data (not easy) or linking to environmental impact.
Environment Agency Report 2 (pdf)
Resource 8
Some resources provided by another Teacher. Includes a shortened version of the Catalyst article (Resource 2), a guide to a suitable practical and an extended Pupils Guide. Password protected. Teachers should e-mail me for password.
Shortened Catalyst Article (pdf)
Hydrogel Practical (pdf)
N5 Student Guide (pdf)
Resource 4
Hydrogel polymers are long molecule chains that grab onto water molecules. Some can soak up as much as 500 times their weight in water! This superabsorbent characteristic makes hydrogel polymers useful in water conservation and in solving other environmental issues.
Hydrogels & Soil (pdf)
Resource 9
Berkeley Engineers And mentors (BEAM) Hydrogels Lesson Plan. Practicals and background information as well as various uses.
Hydrogels Lesson Plan (pdf)
Resource 12
Video showing the use of Hydrogel microneedles.
Hydrogel Microneedles (video)
Resource 13
Video showing the use of Hydrogels in the delivery of drugs within the body.
Hydrogel Drug Delivery (video)
Resource 14
Discover what disposable nappies and fake snow have in common. Also has an excellent description of the Hydrogel structure and how it works.
'Let It Snow' (Video)
'Let It Snow' (pdf)
Resource 15
Lovely video showing the interaction between sodium polyacrylate crystals and water in close-up.
Resource 16
An excellent resource covering just about every possible use of Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP). Well presented with some useful Data but not too detailed so reasonably concise as well.
SAP Showcase (pdf)
Resource 17
British Society of Soil Science 2004. Infl̄uence of sodium polyacrylate on the water-holding capacity of three different soils and effects on growth of wheat
Use in Soils (pdf)
Resource 18
Useful for those looking the use of hydrogels in the soil. Written by a young Texan, Megan (15), this was a winning essay in the 2009 Young Naturalists Awards. Some good tables of Data.
Application of Superabsorbent Polymers (html)
Resource 19
Download (Zip file) Moray Hydrogel Resources as posted on Glow (Feb 2014).
Moray Hydrogels (Glow)
