Making Plastic from Plants My Fun Science Day Mixing Liquids, Watching Colors, and Learning How We Can Help the Earth
Good day and greetings to everyone. I be sharing with you guys some of out laboratory activity which is plant-based bioplastic. I did not know before that plastic can come from plants, so I was very curious and excited also to to this experiment becuase I already know that only petroleum-based plastic are being used which also cause pollution because of long term of the plastic compared to plant-based bioplastic which can only short term when we put it in water which cause the bioplastic to melt because of the water attraction in the plastic.
First we prepared the thigns that needed in the xperiment. There were beakers that has water which will be used to dissovled the white powder which is the gelatin and the pectin. Everything looked simple but it felt important. I learned that the powder comes from plants, and that is why it is called plant-based. This made me happe because plants are good for the Earth.
Then we started mixing it. We poured it in the liquid intoa beaker and stirred it slowly. My hand felt a little tired but i did not stop because i am so curious to see what would be the outcome next, While stirring the liquid change a little it was not just water anymore. It became cloudy and thicker. I fel proud because I was helping make something new which the combination of water and the gelatin turning into gelatin hydrated.
After that we heated the mixture carefullt., The beaker was placed on a hot plate and we atched it closely. The liquid starte d look smooth after adding the pectin, the hydrated gelatin making it look like jelly. I was amazed because it felt like magic we able to meassure also the temperature to look that it will not get into 100 degree celsius.
Next, we poured the mixture into a flat container. It looked shiny and blue, and it spread out evenly. We had to wait and be patient. Waiting was hard, but I knew it was important. Science needs time. While waiting, I thought about how this plastic is different from the plastic we use every day.
When the bioplastic cooled down, it looked like a soft sheet. I touched it gently. It felt smooth and flexible. I could not believe that something like this started as a simple liquid. I imagined one day this kind of plastic could be used for bags, wrappers, or containers.
This experiment taught me that plants are very useful. They do not only give us food and air, but they can also help us make better materials. I felt proud of myself and my classmates. We worked together, shared tools, and learned as a team.
At the end of the day, I was tired but very happy. My hands smelled like the lab, and my mind was full of ideas. I thought, maybe someday I can be a real scientist who makes things that protect the Earth.
Making plant-based bioplastic was fun, exciting, and meaningful. It showed me that even small experiments can help make a big difference 🌍💚
(Photos are mine, Edited in Canva)