Design a Delayed-Release Tablet
- Identify various physical properties of a polymer
- Collaboratively undertake a design project that meets specific design criteria and constraints
- Optimize a design solution based on iterative testing
![]() OverviewIn this lesson, students are challenged to design and build a controlled-release tablet, which will be made from different colored bath tablets and a variety of water-soluble plastics. First, they will have to test the properties of each of the different plastic materials. Then their task will be to create a tablet that releases three different colors, each at a pre-determined time after the tablet has been submerged in water. As students design and build their controlled-release tablets, they will realize how the properties of each material affect their results. At the same time, students will get insight and exposure to drug formulation and development procedures. NGSS AlignmentThis lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations:
Materials![]() For each student group:
For groups to share:
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Grade Range
6th-8th
Group Size
4 students
Active Time
2 hours 45 minutes
Total Time
2 hours 45 minutes
Area of Science
Materials Science
Key Concepts
Medicine, materials science
Credits
Svenja Lohner, PhD, Science Buddies
Learning Objectives
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