Earth Day Week Project Idea #4: Making Paper

By Science Buddies on April 23, 2009 11:14 AM

How much paper do you throw out each week? Are you good about using both sides? Is your recycling bin overflowing? Despite the ways in which technology has changed traditional paperflow, paper is ubiquitous. We use paper day in and day out. Not surprisingly, one of the biggest categories of solid waste in the U.S. is paper, and statistics regarding the percentage of landfill taken up by paper, paper products, and packaging materials are eye-opening. Testing alternative methods and approaches to paper production that put various recycled materials to use is something students can do - and can have fun doing. But which materials make the best or strongest paper? This Science Buddies science fair project idea gives students the chance to make their own paper and run their own tests on properties.

Science Buddies Project Idea

Alternative Sources for Paper Fiber

The goal of this project is to make your own paper, test it, and rate its quality, using either recycled paper or plant fibers as the source material.

Science Buddies' difficulty level: 5-8

Duration: several weeks