02. Website Design

OBJECTIVE & BACKGROUND

Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic product made from polymers. Its usage has led to mass production and plastic waste in various applications due to its physical properties. The wide range of plastics’ usage has led to mass production, and the amount of plastic waste in the US has grown continuously since 1960, which has led to plastic pollution. Recently, plastic pollution in the form of microplastics and nanoplastics has been brought to an attention. They can potentially result in harm to the environment and human health. Are we doing enough to address the issue?

Before designing your website, read the reference articles below:

https://www.epa.gov/plastics

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html

Event-Specific Requirements

Design a website that will educate the reader about the microplastics and:

Different types of plastics and their chemical structure

How microplastics are formed and enters the body

Microplastics’ environmental and human health impacts

Select three commonly available plastic items. For each item,

Describe the chemical structure of plastic and formation reaction

Describe potential concern of plastic or the concern of chemicals used in the processing of plastic

Describe how the item is processed after its use and how they impact environment and human health

Describe the biodegradability of plastic

Choose one of the three plastics and create an interactive graphic of how common plastic ends up in the body as a microplastic

Each stage and process should provide relevant information about the chemistry, the impact, and the example

Discuss the approaches of solving the plastics pollution problem by different groups (countries, researchers, groups, etc.)

Choose the best practice and provide your reasonings

Describe any challenges and shortcomings

Any chemical reactions must include chemical formulas, structures, and reaction conditions

Your website should also:

Include citations for ALL sources of information, using at least three academic papers and/or science books.

Be attractive, easy to use, and easy to navigate

Focus primarily on the content of their website, especially the chemistry -- NOT on distracting "bells & whistles"

GENERAL JUDGING CRITERIA

Chemistry and Research Content ~50% total

The chemistry of the three selected plastics and related processes, including chemical reactions and processes

Details of environmental and health impact of plastics

Details of approach in solving the plastics pollution problem

Interactive graphics must include numerical representations as well as graphical representations of data, and all data used must be cited.  

Research Practices ~10% total

Includes citations for ALL sources of information

Used at least three non-web resources such as academic papers and science books

Website Design ~20% total

Site is attractive

Site is easy to use and navigate and information is easy to find

Interactive graphic works and is attractive

All links work

Students can describe their design process

Presentation ~20% total

Presentation is well-organized

Presenters have a good understanding of both chemistry and website design 

Presenters clearly and correctly answered all questions asked by the judges

These guidelines may be clarified or updated as new information becomes available.  

2025 Topic: Plastics, Microplastics, and Concerns