Grouping: Individual
Take-home: Casein-plastic part
Key ideas: Polymer-like material formation; recipe, processing, drying.
Start with: Show milk separating into curds and whey after vinegar.
Success check: Compare shape, thickness, and stiffness of dried samples.
Try changing: Thickness; pressing pressure; texture; optional recipe ratio teacher-run.
Preparation: Preheat/process in small batches; prepare dried sample from prior week.
CNC preparation: Cut pressing frames.
3D-print preparation: Print reusable texture stamps/molds.
Lesson flow: Day 1: Make casein plastic → shape → dry
Video:
Turn Milk Into Plastic!
Safety and cleanup: Food allergy awareness; no tasting; teacher handles heat.
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/milk-into-plastic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF-aET54CGk