Zip into Science with Professor Polymer - Episode 1: Pressure
John Fellenstein (a.k.a. Professor Polymer) explores the concept of "pressure". He invites you to join him as he discovers the answers to some very interesting questions. Can he lie down on a real bed of nails? If so, could he do it with a cinder block resting on his stomach? And finally, what would happen if a giant kangaroo tried to break that cinder block with a sledge hammer?
Watch episode 1 to find out if Professor Polymer can withstand the pressure!
Science Fridays - Episode 3: Frozen Science
John Fellenstein and Dr. Ruel McKenzie were back at it again, as the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering’s Akron Global Polymer Academy stopped by the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame STEM Middle School for a “COOL” Science Friday. This edition was called frozen science and included demonstrations using liquid nitrogen and dry ice. Watch to the very end to find out if “Professor Polymer” and Dr. McKenzie could actually make a "THUNDER CLOUD" inside the auditorium…
Science Fridays - Episode 2: Spooky Science
The AGPA returned to the National Inventor's Hall of Fame STEM Middle School for the second edition of Science Fridays. This time the team was accompanied by "Manny Monomer" (Dr. Ruel McKenzie, an assistant professor of polymer engineering at The University of Akron's School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering). The main theme was spooky science and featured a variety of demos including: electrifying a pickle, concocting a batch of elephant toothpaste, and using sound waves to interact with the flames on a Ruben's tube. In the final demo, "Professor Polymer" (John Fellenstein) showed the students how scientists "carve" a pumpkin (let's just say it's really LOUD!!). Watch till the very end to see a sweet 3-camera view of the exciting AGPA jack-o-lantern carving!
Science Fridays - Episode 1: Combustion
On August 31st, 2018, we made our first visit to the National Inventor's Hall of Fame STEM Middle School for Science Fridays. The main theme for this event was combustion and featured a variety of demos where "Professor Polymer" safely set things on fire in front of the student body. Keep an eye out for the "Whoosh Bottle" demo, which contained a flame and sound so BIG that it surprised many of the students, coaches, and even our own AGPA camera crew!
Polymers and the Science of Basketball: St. Vincent-St. Mary STEM Basketball Camp
Experimenting with Air Pressure: AGPA Visits the Glen Oak High School Science Club
A Brief History of Rubber: An animated short, that gives audiences a fun and quick overview of the history behind a very important polymer.
Laser Lab Demonstration: Graduate student Rebecca Agapov works with lasers in Dr. Mark Foster's laboratory.
Geckos Inspire Polymer Scientists at The University of Akron
Impact Testing Demonstrations
Polymer Lab Demonstration: Graduate student Emily Rosenthal creates a polymer in Dr. Judit Puskas' laboratory.
AGPA Polymer Putty Demonstration: Learn how to create Polymer Putty in this video demonstration.
Happy Sad Balls: Experimenting with Glass Transition Temperatures
Effects of Liquid Nitrogen on Rubber
How to Build Polymer Rockets!
Introduction to Polymer Processing
Effects of Liquid Nitrogen on Natural Rubber
Effects of Liquid Nitrogen on a Balloon
Ball and Ring Demonstration
Ball Bouncing Experiment
How to Make a Balloon Ball
How to Make a Device for "Measuring Stickiness"
How to Make an Apparatus for "Tape Strength Testing"
Chihuly Polymer Sculpture Installation: Time-lapse footage showing the construction of the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering's Dale Chihuly sculpture.
Rubber Tree Tapping: Watch how natural rubber is collected from a rubber tree.
Cutting-Edge Research: Dr. Mark Foster talks about his polymer surfaces and interfaces research involving nano, biomedical applications, computer displays, and military applications.
Cutting-Edge Research: Dr. Judit Puskas talks about her breast implant research.
Research in 90 Seconds: Graduate student Clinton Wiener talks about his research project.
Career Paths and Advice: Dr. Mark Foster talks about his education, research, and career decisions, while also offering advice to future researchers.
Career Paths and Advice: Dr. Judit Puskas talks about how she got started in her career as a research scientist and offers advice to the next generation of researchers.
Flexible Film Technologies at The University of Akron
