How to teach polymers at post-16

By 2024-05-28T06:57:00

A magnified image showing large cords, some smooth and some scaley

Source: © Eye of Science/Science Photo Library

Teaching strategies and resources to help learners master polymers and overcome misconceptions

Polymers, both natural and synthetic, are successful because they are extremely versatile materials with seemingly endless ways to adapt their properties by changing the monomers, branching the chains or by interacting with other substances. At the post-16 level, learners need to be clear about the distinction between addition and condensation polymerisation. They must be able to recognise the key features of an organic molecule that allow it to polymerise. Read this article for teaching strategies, common misconceptions to look out for and resources to help learners master monomers, polymers and their repeating units.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor. 

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

  • unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
  • teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
  • applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.