@article{mccance_topliceanu_echeverria_mcalexander_blanchard_venditti_2023, title={Fluffy, Fluffier, and Fluffiest: Creating and Testing Biodegradable Starch Packing Peanuts}, volume={9}, ISSN={["1938-1328"]}, DOI={10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00510}, abstractNote={As e-commerce increases, the demand for packaging materials and the potential for generating waste and negative environmental impacts also rise. Packing peanuts are a type of plastic packaging material that are used to protect goods during the shipping process. Petroleum-based plastics are common packaging materials due to their low cost, light weight, and versatility. Traditional packing peanuts are made of polystyrene, which is not biodegradable and contributes to landfill waste. Starch-based packing peanuts are biobased and a more sustainable alternative. This article describes the implementation and assessment of a hands-on laboratory activity appropriate for high school students (ages 14 to 18). In the lab, students create cornstarch-based packing peanuts with different properties and carry out follow-up experiments to test the peanuts’ performance. This article includes observations and student data that were collected from implementation in four science classes predominantly at rural high schools in a Southeastern state in the U.S. This lab can be adapted to chemistry, environmental science, and physical science classes to augment lessons on topics such as polymers, polarity, bonding, and renewable and nonrenewable resources.}, journal={JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION}, author={Mccance, Katherine R. and Topliceanu, Ana Maria and Echeverria, Darlene and Mcalexander, Shana L. and Blanchard, Margaret R. and Venditti, Richard A.}, year={2023}, month={Sep} }
 @article{collier_mccance_jackson_topliceanu_blanchard_venditti_2023, title={Observing Microplastics in the Environment through Citizen-Science-Inspired Laboratory Investigations}, volume={100}, ISSN={["1938-1328"]}, DOI={10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c01078}, abstractNote={As the use of plastics expands, microplastic concentrations increase in aquatic environments and negatively impact water, soil, and animals inhabiting these areas. Microplastic research frequently incorporates citizen science to assist in data collection and environmental education. These projects provide opportunities for greater societal inclusion in science by involving volunteers and increasing the science capital in individuals with fewer science experiences. Integrating the goals of microplastic citizen science projects through a high school laboratory can increase students’ knowledge of this critical issue while incorporating innovative science activities in classrooms. This paper describes three activities designed for high school students to extract, quantify, and observe microplastics from personal care products, water, and sediment samples. Relevant citizen science-inspired activities can increase environmental stewardship and students’ science capital while creating a culture of engagement with science-related activities.}, number={5}, journal={JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION}, author={Collier, Karen M. and McCance, Katherine and Jackson, Sarah and Topliceanu, Ana and Blanchard, Margaret R. and Venditti, Richard A.}, year={2023}, month={May}, pages={2067–2079} }