Mystery Shapes

In this activity, learners describe an object they can’t see. After someone picks outs a few mystery objects and places them in a pillowcase, learners will investigate using only their hands. After drawing the objects they feel, learners will compare their work to the revealed contents of the pillowcase. This activity connects the field of nanotechnology by acting as a model for a special tool called a scanning probe microscope. This tool lets scientists “feel” things that are too small to see with regular microscopes. Step-by-step instructions are included with photos along with safety recommendations. Activity guide includes a "What's going on?" explanation and quick connections to seeing and manipulating atoms with a scanning probe microscope.