Morphing Butterfly

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
In this activity, learners explore how nanosized structures can create brilliant color. Learners examine Blue Morpho butterflies in the light and discover what happens when they put a drop of alcohol on a butterfly's wing. Learners discover that some wings get their color from the nanoscale structures on the wings instead of pigments.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - adult
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Nanotechnology
  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
    • Ecology
      • Biodiversity
  • Mathematics
    • Measurement
      • Size and Scale
  • Physical Sciences
    • Vibration and Waves
    • Light and Optics
      • Reflection and Refraction
      • Sunlight and Color
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Sciencenter, 2012

Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation, 0532536
  • National Science Foundation, 0940143