In this activity we discussed what one in a billionth is, so students could understand nanoscale. We first discussed the numbers in billions we new such as US Budget, Age of Earth, World Population and discussed things on a small scale. I showed: The Power of 10 on YouTube for the students:
We first reviewed Scientific Notation and how it works and also we make solutions such as a 10% Solution of sugar. We made dilutions of food coloring using the lab in NanoScience Activities For Grades 6-12 by M Gail Jones et al, One in a Billion, page 19. Students were amazed they could make such a concentration of one in a billionth. We also discussed how we could not see this but how we could detect if this was correct. I think this was a great activity to review; scientific notation and scale of things, dilutions, measuring things on a small scale such as one in a billionth and what is a nanometer and what does nano mean. We also looked at the book; Cool Science Nanotechnology, p. 6-12.
Hello! In order to build background with my students on Nanotechnology, I have designed a two week unit to use, now that we have completed the Science Curriculum for Grades 6, 7 and 8. I also just completed a 8 week review for the Science Grade 8 EOG. This will help when designing a project for the students. I also will have a basis of knowledge and activities in the field to use with my students.
I utilized the following resources for the Unit ( all were purchased inexpensively, used on Amazon):
Welcome to Nanoscience: Interdisciplinary Environmental Explorations: Grades 9-12, Andrew Madden et al, NSTA Press
The Big Ideas of Nanoscience Science and Engineering: A Guidebook for Secondary Teachers, Shaw Stevens et al, NSTA Press
Nanoscience, Activities for Grades 6-12, M Gail Jones et all, NSTA Press
We reviewed the Scientific Method using Fortune Telling Fish Toy. This activity was from Nano-Link. We used the rap song:
Students used the toy to try to determine why the fish curled and rolled up in their palm and not on other surfaces from Nanolinks: The Scientific Method.
They utilized critical thinking, observation, explanation and testing explanations. The students really enjoyed this activity. They tried a variety of substances on the fish to see if it could curl from water, oil, vinegar and others. The students were excited to learn the “key” of this toy and wanted to trick their families. We discussed that it had a thin layer of polyacrylate and will when absorbing moisture it will expand, and how we have moisture on our hands. One student tried it under his arm too to see if it curled more. We discussed not only the scientific method but how we determine things we can not see with our eyes and how scientists determine how things work.
