Name: Kelly V.
Status: Student
Age: 12
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: July 2004
Question:
Dear Scientists
We have a school science expo coming up. My friend and I noticed that the
algae which my grandpa has thrown out of his pond has turned almost into
like a dried paper pulp. We decided that we would try and make paper for
the expo. Is there anything that we need to know and has anyone tried
this before?
Replies:
Sounds like an interesting project. There are a number of websites that
give you step-by-step instructions on how to make paper at home. For
The organization TAPPI may have kits for free or for a small fee. You can
find others by searching Google using the search terms "making paper". In
addition, making paper is a rather large crafts area. If you have any crafts
and hobby shops in your area they will probably have, or can get you, paper
making kits that you can adapt to your algae cellulose source. I think you
have a winning project idea!!
Vince Calder
At least one company has tried this. The internet provides some
information. Algae is dried, finely ground, added to paper pulp and the
mixture is made into paper.
Bob Erck
Sounds like an interesting project. There are a number of web sites that
give you step-by-step instructions on how to make paper at home. For
The organization TAPPI may have kits for free or for a small fee. You can
find others by searching Google using the search terms "making paper". In
addition, making paper is a rather large crafts area. If you have any
rafts
and hobby shops in your area they will probably have, or can get you, paper
making kits that you can adapt to your algae cellulose source. I think you
have a winning project idea!!
NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.