Lotus Leaf Effect
Source Institutions
-
NISE Network
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This is a demonstration about how nature inspires nanotechnology. It is easily adapted into a hands-on activity for an individual or groups. Learners discover that lotus leaves are self cleaning and repel water due to features at the nanoscale. The activity includes in depth program-specific background information that will help learners take their understanding of nanotechnology and water chemistry further. Includes a training video, poster, lesson plan and links to national standards.
- Under 5 minutes
- 10 to 30 minutes
- $5 - $10 per group of students
- Ages 6 - adult
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Lettuce leaves (grocery store)
- Leaves from plants that exhibit the lotus effect (kale, turnip greens, collard greens, water lily leaves. Available at grocery stores and most plant nurseries)
- Water
- Cup for water
- Water dropper
- Tray to catch water
- Towels (paper or cloth)
- Poster (provided for download)
Subjects
- Engineering and Technology
- Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Diversity of Life
- Plants
- Diversity of Life
- Physical Sciences
- States of Matter
- Liquids
- States of Matter
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Formulating Explanations
- The Scientific Process
- The Nature of Technology
- Technology and Society
- Technology and the Environment
- The Design Process
- Research and Development
- Technology and Society
Informal Categories
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- read
- hear
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Uses STEM to solve real-world problems
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network; Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Rights:
- Creative Commons, Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network,
Funding Source:
- National Science Foundation, ESI-0532536
