Before we begin the activity, you will need some background information on forests so you know why we should recycle paper and help protect the trees. Look through these websites to find out about the forests of the world.
Learn
Temperate Deciduous Forests
Deciduous Forests
Temperate Forest Biome
Tropical Forests
Activity
**This lab may get a little messy so make sure you are wearing old clothes. You may want to wear an apron to protect your clothing even more.
**If the weather permits, complete this lab outside. If you have a garage or other area inside that doesn't matter if you make a mess, you could use that, too. Offer to clean up when you're done!
Science Safety Reminders:
1) Ask an adult for help and supervision with this activity.
2) Do not eat or drink anything associated with science lab projects.
3) Blenders have very sharp blades. Make sure you have an adult to help set up and operate the blender for you.
4) Be very careful when using sharp objects like scissors. If you do not have a pair of blunt-tipped scissors at home, ask an adult to do the cutting for you.
You may choose either of the following activities to complete.
Activity Option One:
Materials:
Old newspaper (make sure everyone has had a chance to read it first!)
An old/un-used blender (remember, have an adult operate this for you)
An old wire hanger (do you notice a trend here? See how many old and used things we are using?)
Scissors
An old pair of pantyhose
White school (child-safe, washable) glue
A large tub filled with 4 inches of water
Old piece of fabric
Iron and ironing board
Procedure:
1) Bend the wire hanger into a square or rectangle shape to make a frame. Ask an adult if you need help. You will need a frame for each piece of paper you make so you may need more than one wire hanger.
2) Cut one leg off the pantyhose (remember to ask an adult if you need help cutting). Carefully stretch the leg over the wire hanger so it covers your entire frame. Make sure it is tight.
3) Tear sheets of the newspaper into 2-inch strips. Put a handful of paper along with some water into the blender. Ask an adult to blend the paper and water mixture on high speed until it becomes mushy. Stand by and watch while the blending happens. Help out by passing paper and water to your adult helper so they can add more to the blender. Ask them to keep adding until you have a big gray mushy paper blob. Tell your helper to keep the blender spinning until all the paper has disappeared. They will then need to leave the blender on for another two minutes (ask them to stay by the blender with you at all times).
4) Make sure you are wearing an apron or old clothing! Fill the tub with about four inches of water and add 2 tablespoons of white glue to the water. Ask your adult helper to remove the paper pulp from the blender and place it in the tub. Use your hands to mix the water, glue, and paper pulp until they are all combined.
5) Use your pantyhose and wire hanger frame to scoop all the way to the bottom of the tub. Count to 20 while you slowly lift the frame out of the tub. Hold the frame over the tub for about one minute to allow the excess water to drain out. Use your hands to flatten the paper pulp mixture so it is spread evenly across the frame.
6) Put the paper out in the sun to dry. You may want to use an old plastic grocery bag to lay the sheet on top of. Wait until the paper sheet is completely dry. Once it is dry, carefully peel it off the frame.
7) Ask the adult helper to steam your paper sheet for you. To do this, have them place a piece of fabric under the paper sheet (on top of the ironing board). They should then set the iron at the hottest temperature and use the steam setting to steam the paper. Have them hold the iron above the paper and just let the steam spread over the paper. Once the paper is cool, you can use it as you wish!
Here is the website that I found this activity on. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, the website has suggestions for other fun things you can do such as adding color or leaves. Enjoy!
Activity Option Two:
Materials:
Computer (to view the video)
Aluminum foil
Newspaper (2 sheets per piece of paper plus some extra sheets)
Scissors
Corn starch
Tub or bowl
Hot water (hot tap water will work fine)
Wooden spoon
Sharp pencil
Heavy books (2-3)
Optional: Glitter, dried flowers, confetti, leaves
Procedure:
1) Watch the video from this link: Recycled Paper video.
You may need an adult to register a username to view the video.
2) Cut your newspaper sheets up into small squares. Put the squares into a bowl or tub and pour warm water over them. Mix them well and then let them sit for a couple of hours until they are mushy. Your paper should look and feel like oatmeal.
3) Add 2 tablespoons of corn starch and some more hot water (just enough to dissolve the corn starch). Stir well so all the corn starch is mixed in with the paper pieces.
4) Now you will make an aluminum foil strainer. Cut a piece of foil that is about the same size as the piece of paper you plan on making. Use a sharp pencil to carefully poke holes in the foil (ask an adult to help!)
5) Cut a larger piece of foil. Put this piece of foil on top of some extra sheets of newspaper.
6) Spoon the paper pulp onto the large piece of foil. Cover the pulp with the small foil strainer and then cover the strainer with a sheet of newspaper. Press as much water out as you can by pressing on the newspaper with your hand. Remove the newspaper and foil strainer and press any holes in the paper together. Add any decorations you like (glitter, dried flowers, leaves, confetti).
7) Place a new piece of aluminum foil on the paper pulp. Add the heavy books on top of the foil to help remove any remaining water and flatten your paper sheet. Leave the books on the paper for at least one minute.
8) Remove the top layer of aluminum foil and leave your paper to dry overnight. Once it is dry, carefully peel the recycled paper off the foil.
References
Make Stuff. (2008). How to make your own recycled paper. Retrieved November 5, 2008 from http://www.make-stuff.com/recycling/paper.html
Teacher's Domain (2008). Making recycled paper. Retrieved November 17, 2008 from http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.recycledpaper/
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