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How to Test Paper Plate Durability

If the science fair is approaching and your child has yet to decide on an experiment, consider investigating the durability of paper plates. Not only is this an enjoyable experiment that might yield surprising results, but it also is educational. Your child will learn about the materials used to make different kinds of paper plates, and he might be able to suggest improvements to each plate manufacturer about the areas in which the plate fails.

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase three varieties of paper plates. Try to get paper plates of varying degrees of paper weight. You usually can determine which plates are flimsy or sturdy based on the way the plate looks and feels.
- 2
  Recruit three participants to help with the experiment. Each person will be given one style of paper plate. Each person will hold a paper plate in her hands at 3 o'clock and at 9 o'clock.
- 3
  Test the durability of each plate, by experimenting with both solids and liquids. For example, you might test 10 different items on the plate. Examples of those items are a brick, a greasy slice of pizza, a cup of spaghetti and a cup of sauce, two cobs of corn with three slabs of melted butter on top and one cup of vegetable oil, one cup of water. Be creative. You want to use items that will test the durability of the plate.
- 4
  Note what happens to the plates as you place each item or items on them. Does the plate tear? Does it collapse? Does it leak?

Kids Games