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In this activity, learners discover how gelatin can be used as a medium for drug delivery. Learners create colored gelatin and then cut out pieces of the gelatin to simulate medicine (pills). Learners then put their simulated pills in a pan of hot water. Since gelatin is a thermoreversible or cold-setting polymer, gelatin will convert back to a liquid if put in a hot environment. As the gelatin returns to its liquid form, it releases its embedded dye. The dye eventually diffuses completely out of the gelatin which simulates the slow release of a drug from a pill. From this activity, learners learn more about diffusion and drug delivery. Adult supervision recommended.
- Under 5 minutes
- 4 to 24 hours
- $1 - $5 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 18
- Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Knox Gelatin, 21-grams
- Razor blade or other cutting implement
- Food coloring (blue works best)
- Distilled Water
- Baking pan or similar container
- Hot plate or microwave
Subjects
-
Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
-
Engineering
-
Physical Sciences
-
Heat and Thermodynamics
- Heat and Temperature
-
Chemistry
- Chemical Bonding
- Chemical Reactions
-
States of Matter
- Solids
- Liquids
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Atomic Structure
-
Heat and Thermodynamics
Informal Categories
- Food and Cooking
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Uses STEM to solve real-world problems
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Polymer Science Learning Foundation, 2003