Chemical Sciences
Natural & Processed Materials
Students sort real specimens by origin, process gelatine into bioplastic, test elasticity and shape memory in nitinol wire, and examine absorbency under digital microscopes.
Year 3–4
90 min
up to 30 students
$490 + GST
What students will do
Working as a group, students classify a tub of real specimens into an animal/plant/mineral matrix, sorting raw materials from their processed equivalents. They then process gelatine powder into a flexible plastic using hot water poured by the facilitator. Rotating stations let students compare materials for flexibility, elasticity and hardness using metal pipe, wire, eraser, rubber and plastic samples; test 'happy and sad' balls that behave oppositely under impact; and use tongs to bend nitinol wire, watching it return to its programmed shape in warm water. An absorbency station with a dropper bottle and digital microscopes compares cotton, sponge, microfibre, Gore-Tex, paper and plastic at magnification. A ferrofluid demonstration closes the session.
Curriculum outcomes
Victorian Curriculum v2.0 content descriptions addressed in this session.
- VC2S4U05
Classify materials by origin — animal, plant or mineral — and describe how processing changes their physical properties and possible uses
- VC2S4U05
Test physical properties including elasticity, malleability and absorbency across a range of natural and processed materials
Link material properties to appropriate uses and consider the environmental and social implications of material choices
Often booked alongside
Physical Sciences
Force & Motion
Students measure forces with a spring balance, test friction across surfaces, feel inertia first-hand, launch reaction rockets, and explore magnetism and static electricity.
Physical Sciences
Heat & Energy
Students investigate how heat moves by observing convection currents, comparing conduction through plastic and metal using an infrared thermometer, and testing how insulators slow heat transfer.
Chemical Sciences
Reactive Chemistry
Students investigate reversible and irreversible chemical change through real reactions: a polymer reversal, a sealed reaction bag and a teacher-led Elephant's Toothpaste demonstration.
Bring Natural & Processed Materials to your school
Tell us your year levels and preferred dates. We'll confirm availability and bring everything with us.
Limited dates each term — one facilitator, one school per day.