Chemistry of Everyday Things

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 11.05.10

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction
  2. Rationale
  3. Background
  4. Strategies
  5. Classroom Activities
  6. Teacher Resources
  7. Reading List for Students
  8. Appendix 1 State Standards
  9. Endnotes
  10. Bibliography

Polytails and Urban Tumble Weaves: The Chemistry of Synthetic Hair Fibers

Lesia Whitehurst

Published September 2011

Tools for this Unit:

Introduction

I teach Chemistry and Introduction to General Science, at an urban public high school in Emeryville, California. My classes are socially, economically and academically diverse. Demographically, the student population is 68% African-American, 11% Latino, 12% Asian and 9% multiple or other. Over 80% of the student body received free or reduced lunches. The majority of the students I receive in my classroom have had little exposure to science, practical or theoretical. Their math skills are marginal or poor. Additionally, many of the students score below basic or far below basic in reading, on the standardized test administered by the State of California. While Emery Secondary School and district are small, in comparison to the neighboring Oakland School district, the demographic and learning histories are roughly the same.

Comments:

Ci Hamilton

May 15, 2016 at 12:39 am

Chemical in synthetic hair

Great into tho the composition of synthetic hair but wonder what if any address the potentially harmful chemicals found in synthetic hair or adverse effects of long term use e.g. plastic ingredient ťriggering estrogen effects.

Porshe Chiles

May 12, 2017 at 2:42 pm

Can synthetic hair be recycled/reused

Is there a way to recycle synthetic hair, in a non-harmful way, as a means of creating other products, or to create more synthetic hair?

Heather N/a Elliott

July 3, 2017 at 9:29 pm

useful information

I landed on this portal while doing research on synthetic hair. It was extremely helpful and informative. thank you

Latisha Krupincza

November 30, 2018 at 9:39 pm

You've inspired me!

You've inspired me to start a socially responsible company with young girls in the Philadelphia. Let's connect!

Ali T

November 26, 2020 at 5:22 pm

Vinegar and Synthetic hair

It's common for people who use symthetic hair (known as Kanekalon) to soak it in vinegar to prevent common irritation and other allergic reactions. I would love to know the chemical reaction and safety aspects of doing this. I think my students would also want to know this. Do you know and are you able to share the reactions?

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