This series of activities in this unit provides background knowledge for students to ultimately understand the science of papermaking at a molecular level. These activities will include learning about carbohydrates, building models to demonstrate how polysaccharides form in condensation reactions, watching videos describing the general steps in the papermaking process, and learning about how additives to pulp can enhance the overall strength of a finished paper product. This knowledge will be used to provide the tools for students to explore papermaking in an inquiry-based format. Upon demonstration of the basics of making handmade paper with a papermaking kit, students will be challenged to change variables to determine which set of parameters results in the highest quality paper. This will truly be engineering design, but at the molecular level.

This is a great lab activity for any chemistry or biochemistry student just before the holidays.  It uses the traditional Tollin's Reaction used for the identification of reducing sugars in which the inside of glassware becomes coated with a thin, silver metal mirror finish.  This activity can be used to coat either the inside of a clear glass ornament (approx. 50-70mm diameter), or a standard sized test tube (16mm x 125mm).  
This is a stand alone activity that allows students to see the Tollins reaction withn the context a fun application.  It doesn't contain any additional supporting materials in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry.  It is designed to be an enrichment activity to supplement course discussions.