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Exploring Materials: Nano Gold
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In this activity, learners discover that nanoparticles of gold can appear red, orange or even blue. They learn that a material can act differently when it’s nanometer-sized.
Exploring Products: Nano Sand
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In this activity, learners explore how water behaves differently when it comes in contact with "nano sand" and regular sand.
Smelly Balloons
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In this activity, learners sniff out scents hidden in balloons! After investigating, learners discover we sometimes can use another sense (smell) to detect things too small to see.
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.
Gravity Fail
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In this activity, learners try pouring water out of a regular cup and a miniature cup. It’s harder than it sounds! Learners discover that different forces dominate at different size scales.
Exploring Materials: Thin Films
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In this activity, learners create a colorful bookmark using a super thin layer of nail polish on water. Learners discover that a thin film creates iridescent, rainbow colors.
Exploring Materials: Hydrogel
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In this activity, learners discover how a super-absorbing material can be used to move a straw.
Invisible Sunblock
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In this activity, learners find out why some mineral sunblock rubs in clear. Learners compare nano and non-nano sunblocks and discover how particle size affects visibility.
Changing Colors
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Learners experiment with a commercially available liquid-crystal coaster. They warm the material with their hands for varying lengths of time and observe the changing colors that result.
Biobarcodes: Antibodies and Nanosensors
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In this activity/demo, learners investigate biobarcodes, a nanomedical technology that allows for massively parallel testing that can assist with disease diagnosis.
Aerogel
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This activity/demo introduces learners to aerogel, a glass nanofoam. Learners discover how aerogel is made and how well it insulates as well as learn about aerogel's other unique properties.
Molecular Gastronomy: Use Self-Assembly to Make a Dessert Topping
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Molecular gastronomy is the scientific study of food preparation. Learners use self-assembly techniques to create edible capsules of chocolate syrup (food grade ingredients are required).
Exploring Products: Nano Fabrics
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In this activity, learners explore how the application of nano-sized "whiskers" can protect clothing from stains.
Ready, Set, Fizz!
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In this activity, learners explore the chemical reaction between water and effervescent antacid tablets. This hands-on activity models how a material can act differently when it's nanometer-sized.
Rainbow Film
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In this activity, learners use clear nail polish to create a beautiful iridescent pattern on black paper. Learners discover that a thin film creates iridescent, rainbow colors.
Exploring Size: Ball Sorter
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In this activity, learners use sieves with different-sized holes to sort balls by size.
Exploring Materials: Graphene
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In this activity, learners investigate the properties of graphene and graphite.
Exploring Forces: Static Electricity
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In this activity, learners investigate what happens when you build up static electricity on plastic balls.
Exploring Materials: Graphene
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In this activity on page 4 of the PDF, explore the unique molecular structure and conductive nature of graphene. Learners construct a circuit with a battery and LED bulb.
Exploring Structures: DNA
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In this activity, learners create a necklace of wheat germ DNA. Learners add alcohol to wheat germ so that the DNA clumps together.