Factory Secrets Workbook
Factory Secrets: Page 1
Name: ______________________ Date: _________
Plastic Magic
How are LEGO bricks made? It starts with tiny plastic pebbles. A giant machine heats them up. Soon, the hard plastic turns into a hot liquid. Next, this hot liquid is pushed into cold metal molds. The plastic cools and gets hard. Finally, the bricks pop out! They are ready to connect and build.
Word Secrets
liquid: runny, like water
molds: hollow shaping blocks
connect: to snap or join together
Show What You Know
1. What is the main idea of this article?
2. Why does the hot liquid plastic go into a cold mold instead of a hot one?
1
Factory Secrets: Page 2
Name: ______________________ Date: _________
Wax Wonders
How do we make crayons? First, workers melt hot wax in giant pots. Next, they stir in a powder called pigment. This powder gives each crayon its bright color! The warm wax is poured into metal tubes to shape them. Once they cool, the crayons are hard and sturdy.
Word Secrets
wax: soft stuff that melts when hot
pigment: color powder used to paint or dye
sturdy: strong and not easily broken
Show What You Know
1. What is the main idea of this article?
2. Why do you think crayons have paper wrappers around them?
2
Factory Secrets: Page 3
Name: ______________________ Date: _________
Laser Discs
How do video game discs hold entire worlds? Machines stamp secret code bumps into flat plastic. Next, a thin metal layer is added. This metal reflects light. A sharp computer laser reads this code. Finally, a tough plastic coat is used to protect it.
Word Secrets
reflects: bounces light back like a mirror
laser: a very strong beam of light
protect: to keep safe from getting hurt
Show What You Know
1. What is the main idea of this article?
2. Why does a deep scratch on the disc make a video game stop working?
3
Factory Secrets: Page 4
Name: ______________________ Date: _________
Stitched Spheres
How do soccer balls stay round and bouncy? Inside every ball is a rubber balloon called a bladder. It holds the air. Next, workers wrap it in cloth. Then, they add thirty-two flat outer pieces called panels. These pieces are stitched tightly together. This makes the ball durable.
Word Secrets
bladder: a stretchy bag that holds air
panels: flat, shaped pieces that fit together
durable: strong and lasting a long time
Show What You Know
1. What is the main idea of this article?
2. Why does a soccer ball need strong layers of cloth wrapped around the inner bladder?
4
Factory Secrets: Page 5
Name: ______________________ Date: _________
Chewy Ropes
How do we get sweet bubble gum? It begins with a rubbery blend called gum base. This base does not dissolve when you chew. Workers melt the base and mix in sweet colors and flavors. Next, machines squeeze the gum and cut it into pieces. Each piece is tightly wrapped to stay clean.
Word Secrets
base: the main starting part of something
dissolve: to melt or wash away in wet spit
wrapped: covered in paper to stay safe
Show What You Know
1. What is the main idea of this article?
2. Why do we need a special "gum base" that does not dissolve when we chew?
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