Intro to Bioplastics

Think about all the plastic objects that you use on a daily basis. Where did they come from, and what will their life span be? While it is easy to consume plastic materials it isn’t as easy to get more information about the plastics we use.

Join Genspace for a hands-on foray into the world of bioplastics. Bioplastics are plastics made from renewable biomass sources such as such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, food waste, and more. In this workshop, we will discuss the history, challenges, and future of plastic, and we will experiment with a variety of DIY bioplastic recipes. You will learn about the criteria people in industry use to measure the health and toxicity of their products, the initial processes used in the material sciences, and ways to get started in your own kitchen. Each participant will make a mold and go home with their own plastic item that is edible and will easily biodegrade.

We strongly encourage participants to bring their own molds (silicone works really nicely for this workshop). Otherwise, there will be opportunity to come back to pick up your pieces once they've dried up.

COVID-19 Class Cancellation Policy

If you are feeling unwell, suspect that you have been exposed to COVID-19 or test positive, please do not attend and let us know ASAP (info@genspace.org. If you cancel after our 7-day policy, we cannot refund your ticket, but we can exchange and offer credits toward future classes. If you have signed up for Biohacker Boot Camp, we will automatically transfer your registration to the next month’s dates unless you tell us otherwise.

M eet the Instructor

Fan Kong (she/her) is a learning scientist and teaching artist rooted in Elmhurst, Queens. Born in China and raised in Hong Kong and on Long Island, she works to build safe and inclusive spaces where youth and families can practice social change-making through the arts and sciences, especially across languages and generations. She has collaborated with artists, scientists, and educators on youth programs focused on chemical oceanography, protein-folding, and making/tinkering. Recently, Fan was inspired by Genspace’s Intro to Bioplastics class, which sparked her inquiry into the world of bio-based materials.

Follow her on Instagram @fakefankong