Nano for Elementary and Middle School
Size and Scale
Resources that Address the Size and Scale of Nano
The NCN Education Research team has studied how first year engineering students learn about the concepts of size and scale. Read about their studies here.
By Mark Ratner
Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Designed for K12 teachers, this is a look at scale and size by stepping from 1000 kilometers down to 1 nanometer.
A excerpt the online presentation A Gentle Introduction to Nanotechnology and Nanoscience.
Downloadable image developed by the Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science, that depicts the scale of natural and man-made items.
Ratio of Surface Area to Volume
NNIN Website for middle/ high school
This lab is designed to help students understand how nanoparticles may be more effective catalysts by investigating how the surface area-to-volume ratio of a substance is affected as its shape changes. Resources include a Teacher’s Preparatory Guide, Part 1, Part 2 as well as a Student Worksheet and Guide, Part 1 and Part 2 .
NNIN Website for elementary school
The purpose of this lesson is to help elementary students extend their knowledge of area, perimeter, and volume to include surface area. Resources include a Teacher’s Preparatory Guide as well as a Student Worksheet .
Mentos and Diet Coke Experiments
YouTube Video (2:57)
Mythbuster’s Coffee Creamer Explosion
YouTube Video (2:38)