Science of Materials - Seeking microfibres
An assessment quiz to accompany our KS2 lesson plan about textiles, where students find out about microfibres and learn how to extract them from a fleece.
What are textiles?
Textiles is the name given to cloth fabric woven from yarn. We use them to make clothes, bedding and towels.
Types of cloth material
A tile of text
The name for a group of tiles
Text message about cloth
What properties do textiles have?
Textiles are amazing! They keep us warm or cool. Can be dry or wet. Can be washed - or don't like being washed at all!
Different fabrics show different properties, depending what they're made from or how they have been treated. This is why we use them for different things.
Different fabrics show different properties, depending what they're made from or how they have been treated. This is why we use them for different things.
Insulating
Waterproof
Washable
All of the above (and more!)
What is polyester fleece made from?
Plastic is made from oil. This is a non-renewable resource, dig up from underground or under the sea. We have a limited amount of it and cannot produce any more once we have used it up.
Plastic from oil
Wool from sheep
Wood from bamboo
Cotton from cotton plants
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic. They end up all over the place as they are so small and easily washed into rivers and into the sea.
Small lego pieces
A type of microscope
A type of plant
Tiny pieces of plastic
Where do microplastics and microfibres come from?
All plastic objects break into smaller and smaller pieces over time. They never disappear. They remain in the environment and can affect wildlife and our natural world.
Space
They break away from bigger plastic objects
Plants
They are produced in scientific labs
How many microfibres does a polyester fleece produce?
As you could find out in the experiment fleeces produce many, many small plastic particles called microfibres every time they are washed.
Many millions every time they are washed
About 2
They don't produce any
What can you do to reduce microfibres and microplastics?
All of the options would help. You can buy a device like a Guppyfriend or Cora-ball that goes in your washing machine to pick up microfibres so they don't end up in the environment. Clothes can be washed less often, such as only when really dirty. Litter adds to microplastics in the environment, so encourage people not to drop litter.
Only wear non-plastic clothing that does not produce microfibres when washed
Don't wash clothes so often, only when dirty
Use a device in your washing machine to collect microfibres
Don't litter, and do a litter pick in your local area
All of these
Have you learnt anything about textiles, microplastics and microfibres?
No
Yes
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers