K-12 Instructional Materials | Contact Us | Research on Teaching & Learning | Home
• How big is a nanometer?
• Middle and High School Students Investigate Nanotechnology
• Research on Learning Nanoscale Science
• Instructional Mystery: Solve the “Mystery of the Sick Puppy”
• Nanotechnology In Our World
• Learn More About Nanotechnology Research and Applications
Nanotechnology is the science and technology of building materials and devices from single atoms and molecules.
Imagine you could rearrange atoms to build new structures that are a billionth of the size of a meter. That is exactly what nanoscale scientists are doing and new branches of interdisciplinary sciences are emerging. Nanotechnology is emerging as one of the most rapidly growing areas of science and crosses the domains of science with applications in biology, physics, materials science, chemistry, and earth science. New tools such as the atomic force microscope allow scientists to do manipulations at the smallest of scales—the nanometer.
How big is a nanometer?
Nanotechnology works with materials that are a billionth of the size of a meter (10 -9 meters). That is small--very, very small. Things like bacteria and cells are too large for nanoscale science but viruses, atoms, and molecules are typically nanometer sized. At the nanometer scale materials behave very differently. Click here to explore scale and scaling effects further.
Middle and High School Students Investigate Nanotechnology
With support from the National Science Foundation students are conducting nanoscale experiments along side of scientists. Since 1999, educators and scientists from NCSU and UNC-CH have been working with teachers and students to learn about nanoscale science, nanotechnology, and viruses.
To find out what students say about nanoscale inquiry, click here.
For Teacher Materials on teaching nanoscale science, click here.
Research on Learning Nanoscale Science
With support from the National Science Foundation, the NanoScale Science Education Research Group has been investigating how students learn about nanotechnology and nanoscale science. This research includes studies of elementary, middle, high school, undergraduate and graduate students. For a listing of studies click here. Specific studies have examined:
• How students learn to use Atomic Force Microscopy.
• Students' understanding of nanometer scale.
• The impact of scientists on students' perceptions of scientists, science careers, and the nature of science.
• Gender differences in students' attitudes toward nanoscale investigations.
• African American students' perceptions of nanoscale inquiry.
• Differences in live and simulated nanoscale experimentation.
• The impact of tactile feedback on students' understandings of nanoscale objects.
• How different tactile technologies impact students' concepts of nanoscale objects.
Instructional Mystery: Solve the “Mystery of the Sick Puppy”
In this unique software you explore characteristics of viruses with the use of atomic force microscopy to figure out what is making a puppy ill. The program involves you in experimenting with the capsid to determine the shape of the virus, testing for DNA or RNA, and determining the size of the virus to make your diagnosis. This program is available free to educators and students.
http://www.cs.unc.edu/Research/nano/ed/puppy1-15-2003.exe
This program runs on PC (no Mac version yet) and requires Quicktime.Nanotechnology In Our World
Windows That Never Need Cleaning
http://www.chemsoc.org/chembytes/ezine/2002/ashton_jun02.htmMolecular Memory
http://www.trnmag.com/Stories/071801/HP_maps_molecular_memory_071801.htmlNanotechnology in Tennis Balls
http://www.nano.org.uk/thisweek51.htmNanoparticles in Sunscreen
http://www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=mediaRelease&id=particlesNano Pants
http://www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=mediaRelease&id=particlesForesight Institute
Examines societal implications of nanotechnology
http://www.trnmag.com/Stories/071801/HP_maps_molecular_memory_071801.htmlNational Nanotechnology Initiative
http://www.nano.gov/html/edu/home_edu.htmlWhat the Public Thinks About Nanotechnology
A survey by NCSU researchers explores views on nanotechnology
http://www.ncsu.edu/news/press_releases/04_07/211.htmLearn More About Nanotechnology Research and Applications
UNC-Chapel Hill Nanoscale Science Research Group
Researching nanoscale science in biomotors, nanocontacts, cystic fibrosis, gene therapy, DNS, molecular motors, the nanoManipulator, and the 3-D Force Microscope.
http://www.cs.unc.edu/Research/nano/research.htmlNCSU College of Textiles
Researchers develop new developments with nanotechnology and textiles to help soldiers and firefighters.
http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/ci/homeland/articles_detail_sub.cfm?article_heading=
Technology&subheading=NanotechnologyNanoChemistry
Researchers at NCSU are studying the synthesis and characterization of chemically modified nanometer-sized particles used in applications such as drug delivery, gene therapy, molecular electronics and single-molecule detection.
http://www.ncsu.edu/chemistry/dlf.htmlFact and Fiction (Science Fiction) In Nanotechnology
Books:
Aristoi, by Walter Jon Williams (features virtual reality, genetic engineering, faster-than-light travel, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, telepathic links with computers)
The Diamond Age, by Neal Stephenson (uses a computer “book” built with nanotechnology to teach a young girl.)
Nano, by John Robert Marlow (a billionaire is killed just before releasing tiny robots that will solve the world's problems).
Prey, by Michael Crichton (In an experiment has gone wrong tiny nanoparticles have escaped from the laboratory. These particles are intelligent and self-reproducing. We become the prey.
