Title: Recycle, Reuse, Make Paper
Introduction:
Date: May 31 – June 1, 2008
Paper is a very unique thing in our world because we use it every day. The Chinese invented paper a long time ago. Paper can be used in many ways like turning into fortune-tellers and doing origami. You can draw on it, print on it, you can use for a wrapping a present. Paper is used for wrapping food: pizzas, Chinese food take-out, Big Macs, groceries, ice cream cones, candy, cookies. Books are made out of paper, so is your homework.
Question:
Can paper be made from different things and how can recycled paper be turned into other kinds of paper.
Hypothesis:
I think that paper can be recycled in a fun way.
Experiment:
1. Make Pulp.
 |
 |
 |
| Kitchen Blender Pulp Maker |
Loading Blender with Paper Stock |
Making Pulp |
2. Pull paper pulp up with mould and deckle
3. Couch the paper pulp onto a felt blanket…
Couching (“cooching”)…
 |
 |
| First success! | More success… |
Cleaning Up
4. Let the wet paper sheet dry overnight with a fan
Equipment Used:
- Blender
- Mould and deckle
- A tub or a basin
- Liquid starch
- Small felt blankets
- Used paper: egg cartons, rice paper, used computer paper
- Inclusions: crumpled onion skin, dried flowers, leaves, glitter, mulberry fibers
- Water
Results:
Final Result
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
What I Learned (Conclusion):
Paper can be made out of different things and that paper can be made with different colors, textures and prints. Paper can be recycled into other kinds of paper in a fun way.
In Class Demo:
Amelia conducted a demonstration of papermaking for her 2nd grade class. Amelia had made by hand a paper piece for each of her classmates (17 students) and one each for her teacher and the teacher’s aide. Her demo was well executed and went very smoothly. Excellent job! Yay!
|
|
|
| Demo Set-up | Papermaking Demo | Pouring Paper Pulp Into The Mould and Deckle |
|
|
|
| Red Stripe Construction | Measuring Pulp |
References and Supplies:
http://www.tutorials.com/06/0697/0697.asp
http://www.twinrocker.com/
http://www.conservatree.org/learn/Papermaking/History.shtml
http://www.arnoldgrummer.com/index.
We’ve noticed that some tree(s) or bush has been producing and releasing hundreds of little white fluffs of fiber that looks like cotton. They’re accumulating around our door and the door mat has actually been capturing them. I’ve looked at them closely and the are little balls of white fiber of some type. I’m wondering if they’re coming from the sycamore trees.
In any case, I’ve started collecting them into a ZIP-lock bag and maybe if we collect enough we’ll be able to use them in making paper.
It turns out the fluff is coming from female cottonwood trees. They produce a fluffy cotton puff so that their seeds can travel long distances with the wind. Some consider this a big nuisance.
We ended up NOT using this material because it was too dirty. It would have taken a long time to really clean it. So we gave up on using this stuff…
Amelia did a demo of paper-making to her 2nd grade class and produced 3 pieces. She also handed out a handmade piece of paper to each and everyone of her classmates as a souvenir. Her demo was masterful and flawless in execution! Lots of oohs and ahhs.