If you’re under 50 years old, you probably don’t remember a time without plastic. Plastic toys? Plastic buckets? Plastic raincoats? Lunchboxes? Umbrellas? We’re so dependent on them it’s hard to imagine life without them. But a new exhibit at Seattle’s Burke Museum, “Plastics Unwrapped,” challenges us to think about the history of plastics and how they went from being a new invention to being ubiquitous – and how they’ve changed our world.

Compare pre-plastic items from the museum’s collection, learn about the recycling and construction process, find out how plastics affect the environment and learn about new scientific discoveries in the field. A hands-on lab offers art projects and experiments.

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (10 a.m.-8 p.m. first Thursdays) except Christmas and New Year’s Day. $10/$8/$7.50/free for four and under, UW staff and students and on first Thursdays. University of Washington, corner 17^th Ave. NE and NE 45^th St., Seattle. 206-543-5590, burkemuseum.org