Try Your Hand at Nano

IEEE

This lesson focuses on two simple activities that younger learners can do to gain an appreciation of nanotechnology. First, learners measure their hands in nanometers. Second, learners investigate liquid crystals, applications of liquid crystals and nanotechnology connections and test how the heat of their hands changes the color of the crystals. Learners observe what they see, present their findings to the group, and reflect on the experience.

Preparation Time:: Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:: 1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:: Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:: Ages 8 - 11
Resource Types:: Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:: English

Materials List (per group of students)

Resource Sheets
Worksheets
Liquid crystal sheet size 20cm x 20 cm roughly
Rulers
Pencils
Paper

Keywords

Subjects

Engineering and Technology
- Engineering
  - Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
  - Nanotechnology
- Technology
Mathematics
- Measurement
  - Units of Measurement
  - Size and Scale
Physical Sciences
- Heat and Thermodynamics
  - Heat and Temperature
  - Heat Transfer
- Chemistry
  - Chemical Bonding
- Vibration and Waves
  - Light and Optics
- Light and Optics
  - Reflection and Refraction
  - Sunlight and Color
- States of Matter
  - Solids
  - Liquids
- Structure and Properties of Matter
  - Atomic Structure
The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
  - Conducting Investigations
  - Gathering Data
  - Formulating Explanations
  - Communicating Results
The Nature of Technology
- Technology and Society
  - Impacts of Technology

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

see
see color
read
touch

Learning styles supported:

Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Full Lesson Plan as PDF

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

TryEngineering Lesson Plans

Access Rights:

Free access

By:

TryEngineering, IEEE