School of Packaging Sustainable Materials Group

2022

1. MSU Science Festival School Presentation held at Montessori Childrens’ House of Lansing on June 1st, 2022: 

Volunteers: Subhaprad Ash, Cimberly Weir 

Overview: Demonstrated an important aspect of plastic recycling, separation of plastics by density-based methods, in addition to sensitizing about different plastics. 

Image 1: Outreach at Montessori Children’s House 

Summary: 

A presentation was given to elementary kids inculcating the idea of different materials and their recycling. To depict an important aspect of recycling, different plastic materials were taken and demonstrated for separation by a simple density-based method. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were taken and examples of each were shown. All the pelleted materials were mixed and first separated in water. Soap was added to minimize surface tension. Next the upper layer was taken to separate HDPE and LDPE; the bottom layer was taken to separate PS and PET. Students were amazed to apply the concept of density, using simple materials available in house, to solve real world problems. 

2. Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program held at School of Packaging from June 22nd –24th, 2022: 

Volunteers: Angela Bran, Samin Ayanifard, Subhaprad Ash, Jack Cook, Jessie Shager, Cimberly Weir 

Overview: The importance of sustainability was brainstormed in a short project that involved making a sustainable package for protecting an egg keeping in mind the importance of recycling. 

Image 2: Outreach at School of Packaging 

Summary:  

Students from different elementary schools participated in the GATE program. On day 1, they were introduced to different materials, their uses, recyclability and sustainability. Engineering Design Process was introduced, and students were asked to come up with their prototypes for a simple experiment to protect egg with sustainable packaging. On day 2, 3D printing, and prototyping machines were demonstrated. On the final day, students’ designs were tested for drop and impact resistance. After the session, brainstorming about their designs and materials was done. It was great to see innovative designs by students although they knew about the commercial ones, keeping an important aspect of sustainability. 

• Reeths-Puffer School, Muskegon, 6th grade, March 23, 2017. (Volunteers: Vijay Pandian, Fahad Khan) 
• Renaissance High School, Detroit, April 10, 2017. (Volunteers: Vijay Pandian, Fahad Khan) 
• Reeths-Puffer School, Muskegon, November 11, 2017. (Volunteers: Vijay Pandian, Krystal Cheng) 
• Girls' Math and Science Day, March 3, 2018. (Volunteers: Krystal Cheng, Nazim Uddin) 
• King's High School, April 17, 2018. (Volunteers: Zhao Li, Krystal Cheng) 
• HS Students' CANR Visit, July 10, 2018. (Volunteers: Nopphachai Sirinakbumrung, Syeda Shamila Hamdani) 
• Sheridan Road Middle School Visit, May 22, 2019. (Volunteers: Nopphachai Sirinakbumrung, Syeda Shamila Hamdani) 
• ANR Institute for Multicultural Students Program, July 23, 2019. (Volunteers: Nopphachai Sirinakbumrung, Aditya Nair, Krystal Cheng) 
• Gardner International Magnet School, 7th Grade, 55 students, February 9, 2021. (Participants: Muhammad Rabnawaz, Cimberly Wier) 
• Westdale Elementary School, K-2nd grade, 20 students, February 10, 2021. (Participants: Muhammad Rabnawaz, Cimberly Wier) 
• Voyager Elementary School, 5th grade, 55 students, March 24, 2021. (Participants: Muhammad Rabnawaz, Cimberly Wier) 
• Emerson Elementary School, 4th grade, 15 students, April 20, 2021. (Participants: Muhammad Rabnawaz, Cimberly Wier, Subhaprad Ash) 
• Cole Academy East, 1st grade, 22 students, April 22, 2021. (Participants: Muhammad Rabnawaz, Cimberly Wier) 
• Lincoln Elementary School, 4th grade, 33 students, April 22, 2021. (Participants: Muhammad Rabnawaz, Cimberly Wier, Subhaprad Ash) 
• Beagle Elementary School, 4th grade, 20 students, April 29, 2021. (Participants: Muhammad Rabnawaz, Cimberly Wier, Subhaprad Ash) 

ANR Institute for Multicultural Students (AIMS) Program (July 23, 2019) 

Sheridan Road Middle School Visit (May 2019)

HS Students' CANR Visit (July 10, 2018)

King's High School Visit (April 17, 2018)

Krystal and Zhao performed the "edible water bottle" demo for students visiting from King's High School in Detroit, MI.

Girls' Math and Science Day (Mar 3, 2018) 

Krystal and Nazim showed middle school girls how to make the "edible water bottle" via the molecular gastronomic process of spherification. The girls walked away with their own spherified water and an understanding of how it works and its application in biodegradable water bottle packaging!  

Visit from ​Reeths-Puffer school on (Nov 2, 2017)

Vijay and Krystal showed middle school students how polyurethane foam is made in our lab at the MSU School of Packaging

Lecture on sustainable plastic to the visiting master students from International Packaging Association (Sept 11, 2017) 

Renaissance High School, Detroit (April 10, 2017)

Grade 6 students from Reeths-Puffer School in Muskegon (Mar 23,2017)