NNIN Education Site

Nanotechnology Educational Resources and Activities for K-12 Teachers

Nanotechnology in the Curriculum
	So where does Nanotechnology fit in the curriculum?   On one hand, it is not Physics, Biology, or Chemistry.  On the other hand, it is all of them !  It is where engineering and science meet. Is nanotechnology a subject of its own, or is it just a way of thinking about other subjects?
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Guide to Nanotechnology Demonstrations Updated 11/10 to include thin films demo
	The NNIN has developed this guide to assist others in how to use some nanotechnology education materials from NNIN and other nano education programs as short demonstrations. These are not full scale lessons but short 5-10 minute demos suitable for use with groups of all ages.
	Link to pdf document >

Research Experience for Teachers
	NNIN does not have its own network-wide RET program. Five NNIN Sites do, however, have an RET program funded by the National Science Foudnation. Participants conduct cutting edge research and develop classroom materials related to nanotechnology.
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Teacher Workshops in Nanotechnology
	The NNIN offers and is further developing teacher workshops for middle and high school teachers.  The duration varies by site but typically run from one to three days.  Workshop content explores how to incorporate standards-based instructional units related to nanotechnology into the science classroom.  Some sites offer nanofabrication workshops where teaches explore the fundamentals of nanofabrication processes. This section will provide information on how you can learn about workshops at the various sites
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Nanotechnology Curriculum Materials
	Complete list of  Classroom Support Materials NNIN Instructional Units  Units marked RET were developed by teachers in our Research Experience for Teachers Program   Size and Scale- A measurement Unit Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Surfaces- Exploring polarity and chemical bonding (NNIN RET Unit) Exploring Nanotechnology through Consumer Products - An introduction to nanotechnology through currently available consumer products  Exploring Magic Sand- Superhydrophobic materials unit which explores polarity of molecules Shape Memory Alloys- Understanding solid state phase transformations Modeling Self Assembly - A guided inquiry activity that explores molecular interactions and polarity (NNIN RET Unit) Reading and Analyzing Nanotechnology - Reading and analyzing science -- reading across the curriculum (NNIN RET unit) Design Challenge - Using a shape memory alloy to teach design concepts  (NNIN RET unit) Catalysis - Exploring reactants, catalysts, adsorption, desorption, and diffusion (NNIN RET unit) Surface to Volume Ratio - Understanding chemical reactions at the molecular and atomic level (NNIN RET unit) Scanning Probe Microscopy - An introduction to microscopy at the molecule and atomic scale Nanotechnology and Cosmetics- A 4 part unit covering Solubility, Emulsions, the Skin, and Ethical issues related to nanotechnology (NNIN RET Unit). Magnetism and Nanotechnology- Ferrofluids: Liquid Magnetic Materials Changing conductive properties by Diffusion (NNIN RET Unit)  Effect of Size on Chemical Reactions- The Bigger the Better - Not always True - Exploring Size Effect on Chemical Reaction Times (NNIN RET Unit) Using Media to Explore Social and Ethical Issues in Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies. (NNIN RET Unit) Water Purity and Filtration: Nanofiltration-Getting Down to the Nanoscale. (NNIN RET Unit) The SI System and Nanoscale Science-Develop a working knowledge of the SI System, nanoscale and nanotechnology. Heat and Solar Energy-Understanding Energy Transfer (NNIN RET Unit) Building a Rainbow- Exploring Light and Interference Phenonema (NNIN RET Unit) Introducing LEDs, Thermistors and Transistors- A Lesson in Five Consecutive Parts Deposition- A unit using electroplating to make thin films (NNIN RET Unit) Nanobacteria- A lesson on how quickly bacteria grow (NNIN RET Unit) Metric Measurement- A unit reviewing the metric system and relating the size and scale of objects to various metric units Understanding Waveguides - A unit on how light travels through media including waveguides for communication. (NNIN RET) Catalytic Converters and Nanocatalysts - A unit exploring the reactions in catalytic converters and the importance of nanocatalysts (NNIN RET) CDs and DVDs as Diffraction Gratings - Students will observe the diffraction behavior of light waves between a CD and DVD and examine AFM images of the two disks (NNIN RET) Hiding Behind the Mask: Introduction to selective layering through etching (NNIN RET) How Big is a Nanometer? - a unit on scale (NNIN RET) Electrolysis:   Part1 - Save the Dinosaurs with Copper and Zinc (NNIN RET)   Part 2 - Synthesis of Nickel Nanowires (NNIN RET) Nanomotors - Exploring nanoscale propulsion systems (NNIN RET) Understanding Wave Motion and Power Loss (NNIN RET) Properties of Fluids (NNIN RET)  - two part lab on chromatography and capillary action (NNIN RET) The Case of the Patent Pending - a forensic lesson using paper diagnostics (NNIN RET) Diagnostics for All - a social and ethical issues lesson discussing paper diagnostics and HIV Aids (NNIN RET) Quantum Dots: Real-world paricles in a box Small Scale Stenciling (mask lab) and Sculpting (etch lab) - activities that simulate chemical processes used in chip making (NNIN RET)

Interesting Technical Articles
	Nanotechnology Products- from better tennis balls to better drug delivery What is Nanotechnology Nanotechnology Careers- consider a career in the expanding field of Nanotechnology Seeing Nanotechnology- how do we "see" nanostructures

Get Nanooze Magazine for your Classroom
	Nanooze (in print) is the print version of NNIN's web based science magazine for kids (link to nanooze.org). The First edition provides an introduction to nanotechnology at the middle school level, written in a style attractive to kids. Topics addressed map onto a variety of state and national learning objectives so that it can be adapted into many classroom situations. It is available free to teachers in classroom packs of 30 or more. To request the current and future issues of Nanooze, please email rathbun@cnf.cornell.edu, subject: Nanooze Please, with teacher name school/class/grade information, address and number of copies requested. Available issues include: #2 Introduction to Nanotechnology #3 The Three Senses: Sight #4 The Tree Senses: Taste and Smell #5 The Three Senses: Touch and Hearing #6 Self-Assembly

NNIN at National and Regional Science Teacher's Conferences
	NNIN actively participates in both the National Science Teachers Association Conference and in a variety of regional conferences. Since 2005, NNIN has been the only nanotechnology exhibitor at the NSTA. As part of our NSTA effort, the participants in our Research Experience for Teachers program come to share their experiences with each other and with other teachers. Our regional conference participation generally consists of both a booth and one or more workshops on nanotechnology in the curriculum. Thousands of copies of our science magazine Nanooze are also distrubted in this way.
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Off-site Nanotechnology Links of Possible Interest ( open in new window)

North Carolina State University: Instructional materials for teachers including a lesson on viruses.  Link

Northwestern University: Materials World Modules and National Center for Learning and Teaching in Nanoscale includes instructional materials & workshops. Link 1, Link 2

Ohio State University NSEC: The NSEC offers workshops for high school teachers as well as a Research Experience for Undergraduates Program.  The web site also has resources for educators. http://www.nsec.ohio-state.edu/.
Rice University:

                NanoKids:  a series of 12 self-contained nanoscale science & technology lessons for grades 6-12. Link

                CBEN: Teacher professional development & student enrichment programs run by the Center. Link 

Science Central: Information & videos on current nano research. Click link on technology for nano info. Link 

Science Museum UK Online: Information about nanotechnology & an interactive game. Link

Understanding Nanotechnology: General information about nanotechnology & its applications. Link

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Nano-CEMMS provides teacher & student programs including “lessons in a box.” Link 

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Site explores relative sizes of objects. Contains the classic video "Powers of 10" by Eames & Eames, along with other resources for investigating scientific notation & the scale of things. Link 

University of Wisconsin-Madison:

                MRSEC A variety of kits & resources focused on nanoscale science & engineering, including societal and environmental issues. Link 

                NSEC Lessons for the K-12 science classrooms & after school groups. Link 

Vega Science Trust, England: Videos on basics of nanotechnology & how it will change the world. Link 

Virginia Tech: A resource for nanotechnology links. Link 

Woodrow Wilson International Center:  Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies focuses on engaging the public & consumers on the safe development ofnanotechnology. Link 

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