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Polystyrene substitute - separation prac

Posted: 24 Nov 2021, 14:34
by Merilyn1
Hi All
My teachers here have always done a separation prac with Year 7 using polystyrene balls (from a bean bag), sand, salt and iron filings. I usually re-use the polystyrene but this year they went to the great bin in the sky. I don't have any more. I thought of breaking up some polystyrene blocks (too messy) so looked in my storeroom and found a box (a large box) of old fashioned corks. I'm not going to speak ill of my predecessors at all - I've been buying twist tops for years though :drunk:
Anyway, any thoughts - do you think cutting up the corks would work, it is going to be fiddly to do this.
I'm loathe to ask for donations of old bean bag fill - I'll end up with bags of it and it is just so annoying to handle.

Re: Polystyrene substitute - separation prac

Posted: 25 Nov 2021, 06:18
by Debbie
I have purchased packets of small balls in the past - similar to these at Spotlight if that helps.

https://www.spotlightstores.com/kids/ki ... gLMFvD_BwE

I think I just got a bag from a "cheap shop" in the craft section.

Re: Polystyrene substitute - separation prac

Posted: 25 Nov 2021, 08:13
by bigmack
I grated up some old corks we had that were so crumbly , they were no good for anything else .
Not to sad if they didn't come back and a final use for otherwise rubbish ....and more biodegradable than polystyrene

Re: Polystyrene substitute - separation prac

Posted: 25 Nov 2021, 12:05
by Kathryn
We have used dried soup mix in the past ie split pea/lentil mix, also beads of different sizes.

Re: Polystyrene substitute - separation prac

Posted: 26 Nov 2021, 09:42
by melsid
We have used wood shavings in the past. They worked well.

Re: Polystyrene substitute - separation prac

Posted: 26 Nov 2021, 11:56
by Lyn
Dried peas. Roughly same size as your polystyrene balls. If they don't get wet they will recycle for years. Unless of course they get a bad attack of weevils. :cheesy: Sorry, it's that time of the year. Keep them stored in a glass container with lid. Mine have survived for years and are still useable. Perhaps the next lab tech will buy new stuff.

Re: Polystyrene substitute - separation prac

Posted: 29 Nov 2021, 07:48
by J
I have some barley grains that I keep in a glass jar. That works well.

Re: Polystyrene substitute - separation prac

Posted: 29 Nov 2021, 08:24
by Merilyn1
Thanks, all. Good to hear there are alternatives to polystyrene. Think I'll be happy to go with one of these. Of course - good advice if I do need to stick with the poly - I'll look in the $2 shop.