Grades 3-12 (Kit)
Engage students in a quick and simple activity using a product that can be made from either renewable or non-renewable resources, packing peanuts. This kit contains enough petroleum-based, Styrofoam packing peanuts and corn-based, biodegradable packing peanuts to complete five demonstrations showing how one dissolves in water and the other does not. Alternatively, you may wish to reuse packing peanuts you've received with packages in the mail. Look for a shiny surface to recognize petroleum-based peanuts and a dull appearance like an uncolored cheese puff to recognize peanuts that will dissolve.
The packing peanuts you receive may differ from those photographed.
Lesson plans associated with this kit can be found on the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix.
