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Exploring Tools: Special Microscopes
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In this activity, learners use a flexible magnet as a model for a scanning probe microscope (SPM). They learn that SPMs are an example of a special tool that scientists use to work on the nanoscale.

Animal & Plant Cell Slides
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In this activity, learners make slides of onion cells and their own cheek cells. Use this lab to teach learners how to prepare microscope slides and use a microscope.

Tools of Magnification
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In this activity related to microbes, learners use water drops and hand lenses to begin the exploration of magnification. This activity also introduces learners to the microscope.

Mystery Shapes
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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.

Coverslip Traps
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In this activity, learners use coverslips to collect organisms from a pond, estuary or marine environment and then examine what they have caught with a microscope.

Be a Scanning Probe Microscope
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In this activity, learners investigate Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM) and then work in teams using a pencil to explore and identify the shape of objects they cannot see, just as SPMs do at the nano

What is a Nanometer?
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This lesson focuses on how to measure at the nanoscale and provides learners with an understanding how small a nanometer really is.

Styrofoam Traps
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In this activity, learners use Styrofoam to collect organisms from a pond, estuary or marine environment and then examine what they have caught with a microscope.

Mitten Challenge
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In this activity, learners try to put together toy bricks—wearing oven mitts on their hands! This activity shows learners how difficult it is to build small things when your tools are too big.

Life Size: Line 'em up!
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In this activity on page 1 of the PDF, learners compare the relative sizes of biological objects (like DNA and bacteria) that can't be seen by the naked eye.

Jell-O Model of Microfluidics
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This activity uses Jell-O(R) to introduce learners to microfluidics, the flow of fluids through microscopic channels.

Observing Different Microbes
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In this activity, learners use a microscope to examine three different microbes: bacteria, yeast and paramecia. Educator will need to prepare the yeast solution one day before the activity.

Size Wheel
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In this fun sticker activity, learners will create a size wheel with images of objects of different size, from macroscopic scale (like an ant) to nanoscale (like DNA).

Are Microbes Alive?
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In this activity (on pages 19-21 of the PDF) learners observe mold growing on potatoes. Preparation for this activity has to start a week before, to allow time for the mold to grow on the potatoes.

Groovy Sounds
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In this activity related to music and sound vibrations, learners make a phonograph or record player out of simple materials. First, learners assemble the turntable, arm, and sound cone.

Cutting it Down to Nano
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This simple activity uses paper and scissors to convey two key concepts to learners: the nanoscale is very small and working on the nanoscale requires special tools.

Exploring Tools: Mitten Challenge
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In this activity, learners build a LEGO® structure while wearing mittens. This activity shows learners how difficult it is to build small things when your tools are too big.
Polarized Light
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In this optics activity, learners experiment with polarizers (small dark rectangles) to examine light intensity.

What Cells Can I See in Muscle and Spinal Cord Tissues?
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In this activity (page 37 of the PDF), learners observe, on a prepared slide, muscle and spinal cord cells from a rat.

Tabletop Biosphere
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In this activity, learners create a sealed, mini ecosystem that supplies freshwater shrimp with food, oxygen, and waste processing for at least three months.