Biodegradable Plastic and Improved Storm Drains
For this project, we were instructed to select a world problem. My group and I choose physical ocean pollution, which is waste. The first few days we researched how extensive this problem is, and what it is affecting. As expected, this problem is massive - killing ecosystems and habitats, generating floating garbage masses in and on the ocean, and killing thousands of animals and plants. The problem is even affecting us. The debris we create is polluting our beaches and our bodies. When humans consume a sea creature which has consumed or lived in polluted waters, they are eating the trash as well. To stop this epidemic, we created two solutions.
Our first solution was creating a biodegradable plastic. This kind of plastic is a solution because it is nonthreatening when consumed, and degrades in months instead of thousands of years. We created this plastic using water, white vinegar, glycerin, and corn starch. We mixed them all together and added heat. It was successful; it felt and worked like real plastic.
Our second solution was to stop plastic that already exists from reaching the oceans. In ordinary storm drains, waste and leaves flow along with water through the same pipe, eventually reaching the ocean. Our plan was to was to create a new and improved storm drain, which could catch plastic and other waste. Our new storm drain has an implant which separates the plastic and debris, while letting the water to continue flowing. The waste that is caught is pushed down an inclined plane into a recycling bin. This bin is monthly retrieved, emptied, and later recycled.
Reflection
This project was very successful in many ways. We finished our project early and had a lot of time to practice our presentation over and over. My group worked extremely hard and well together. We collaborated and all worked very hard on each piece. However, my group had a few bumps in the road, like not agreeing, getting distracted, and goofing around. We eventually compromised and it worked out well. Plus, I enjoyed the non stressful environment.
I am very passionate about the problem we chose, which made it more enjoyable to research, write about, and try to fix it. I learned things I didn't already know. I learned that there are heaping piles of waste the size of Texas floating around the ocean. I learned that there are over 4.6 billion plastic bags used every year, and 85% of them end up in the ocean. I learned that everybody can make a difference into helping the ocean. Click the button below to see our presentation.
For this project, we were instructed to select a world problem. My group and I choose physical ocean pollution, which is waste. The first few days we researched how extensive this problem is, and what it is affecting. As expected, this problem is massive - killing ecosystems and habitats, generating floating garbage masses in and on the ocean, and killing thousands of animals and plants. The problem is even affecting us. The debris we create is polluting our beaches and our bodies. When humans consume a sea creature which has consumed or lived in polluted waters, they are eating the trash as well. To stop this epidemic, we created two solutions.
Our first solution was creating a biodegradable plastic. This kind of plastic is a solution because it is nonthreatening when consumed, and degrades in months instead of thousands of years. We created this plastic using water, white vinegar, glycerin, and corn starch. We mixed them all together and added heat. It was successful; it felt and worked like real plastic.
Our second solution was to stop plastic that already exists from reaching the oceans. In ordinary storm drains, waste and leaves flow along with water through the same pipe, eventually reaching the ocean. Our plan was to was to create a new and improved storm drain, which could catch plastic and other waste. Our new storm drain has an implant which separates the plastic and debris, while letting the water to continue flowing. The waste that is caught is pushed down an inclined plane into a recycling bin. This bin is monthly retrieved, emptied, and later recycled.
Reflection
This project was very successful in many ways. We finished our project early and had a lot of time to practice our presentation over and over. My group worked extremely hard and well together. We collaborated and all worked very hard on each piece. However, my group had a few bumps in the road, like not agreeing, getting distracted, and goofing around. We eventually compromised and it worked out well. Plus, I enjoyed the non stressful environment.
I am very passionate about the problem we chose, which made it more enjoyable to research, write about, and try to fix it. I learned things I didn't already know. I learned that there are heaping piles of waste the size of Texas floating around the ocean. I learned that there are over 4.6 billion plastic bags used every year, and 85% of them end up in the ocean. I learned that everybody can make a difference into helping the ocean. Click the button below to see our presentation.
Gravity: the force that attracts an object towards the center of the earth. It is calculated by dividing velocity by time.Earth's gravity is 9.8 meters per second squared.
~We have enough plastic in the ocean to circle the world 4 times
`Only 4% of that plastic in the ocean is recovered
~ Garbage in the ocean kills thousands of animals a year by choking them or clogging their breathing passages.
~ Garbage in the ocean also pollutes our beaches and kills off phytoplankton affecting the entire food chain.
Steps into making this projects
1. Identify the need: Prevent physical pollution in oceans
2. Research the problem: It took us about a week to gather information about trash pollution in the ocean.
3.Develop possible solutions: We thought of biodegradable plastic and a new storm drain to prevent plastic from getting to the ocean.
4. Select most promising solution: We choose both solutions.
5. Construct a prototype: We made the plastic at home and the storm drain prototype in class.
6. Test and evaluate prototype: The prototype went perfect, stopping plastic from getting into the storm drain.
7. Communicate the design: We would like these ideas to spread to the entire world, to stop more ocean pollution.
8.Redesign: We did not need to redesign.
9. Repeat:
~We have enough plastic in the ocean to circle the world 4 times
`Only 4% of that plastic in the ocean is recovered
~ Garbage in the ocean kills thousands of animals a year by choking them or clogging their breathing passages.
~ Garbage in the ocean also pollutes our beaches and kills off phytoplankton affecting the entire food chain.
Steps into making this projects
1. Identify the need: Prevent physical pollution in oceans
2. Research the problem: It took us about a week to gather information about trash pollution in the ocean.
3.Develop possible solutions: We thought of biodegradable plastic and a new storm drain to prevent plastic from getting to the ocean.
4. Select most promising solution: We choose both solutions.
5. Construct a prototype: We made the plastic at home and the storm drain prototype in class.
6. Test and evaluate prototype: The prototype went perfect, stopping plastic from getting into the storm drain.
7. Communicate the design: We would like these ideas to spread to the entire world, to stop more ocean pollution.
8.Redesign: We did not need to redesign.
9. Repeat: