Introducing Nanotechnology through Investigations of Groundwater A Curriculum for Secondary Biology, Chemistry, and Earth and Environmental Science Teachers

An NSF research grant “Broader Impacts” effort Vital statistics for Nano2Earth: $200K investment (within $1M program) Four years to develop and test Awaiting commercial publication

So who developed and wrote Nano2Earth?? 6 professors 7 HS teachers!! 8 grad students 3 staff members It took “a cast of thousands...”

What are Nanoscience and Nanotechnology?

NanoGeoscience and Technology Laboratory How will the Earth and environmental sciences respond?

NanoGeoscience and Technology Laboratory

Nanoscience in everyday life

Quantum dots Alivisatos (1996) Science. CdS/CdSe 5 nm

Historical and Societal Aspects of Nanoscale Science and Technology

The Lycurgus Cup

There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom

Source: NSF U.S. Budget (billions of $) Year Life SciencesPhysical Sciences

The Link Between Nanoscale Science, Technology, and a Vital Environmental Issue: Groundwater Pollution

The Scanning Tunneling Microscope Pyrite (100) nm Fe Oxidized patches

NanoGeoscience and Technology Laboratory The Scale of the Earth Sciences Nano

Nanotechnology and the National Science Education Standards

Nano2Earth Curriculum Overview

Microbes, Minerals, and Water asp proddrnk.htm

1. Introduction to nanotechnology 2. Introduction to groundwater pollution 3. Microbe-mineral interactions 4. Investigations of bacterial transport 5. Nanoforces in nature

Lesson 1: Introduction to Nanotechnology

NanoGeoscience and Technology Laboratory The Scale of the Earth Sciences Nano

Introduction to Nanotechnology Scaling Activity Answer Key

Lesson 2: Introduction to Water Pollution

Water Pollution Webquest Activity

Lesson 3: Microbe- Mineral Interactions: Using the Winogradsky Column to Demonstrate the Microbial Reduction of Iron 3+

Purpose of the activity The ecosystem will be used to Observe general visual changes that take place in the column Simulate eutrophication Observe effects of excess nutrients on the system and dissolved oxygen concentration Measure and follow changes in DO concentrations Relate changes in DO to water quality and microbial activity Observe changes in Fe 3+ to Fe 2+ when the column becomes anaerobic Relate mineral-microbial activity to water quality Connect nanotechnology to high school sciences

Procedure Day 1 1.Build column using plastic bottles, creek mud and water. 2. Measure the DO concentration. 3. Add sugar (+ nutrients) to the column. 4. Place column in indirect light or under grow lamp.

Day 2 1. Observe changes in the appearance of the column. 2. Measure the DO concentration. 3. Add pea sized amount of iron (III) chloride to the column. 4. Replace column in indirect light location.

Following Days Continue to make observations Continue to measure DO concentrations What changes will take place in the column? DO concentration drops dramatically (Column becomes anaerobic.) Water color changes from brownish to red/orange back to brownish (Fe 3+ -> Fe 2+ ) in column.

Examples of student results

Lesson 4: Investigation of Bacterial Transport in Groundwater

Introduction to Bacterial Transport Pathogenic microorganism is a leading cause of death in the world 10 million people die every year from waterborne diseases, such as Salmonella, Cholera, and E. Coli. One out of every six people lives without regular access to safe drinking water

Scenario

Column Experiments

Why does pH matter?

5. Nanoforces in Nature: Using Atomic Force Microscopy to Explore Mineral-Microbe Interactions mineral solution

Atomic Force Microscopy x,y,z piezo cantilever computer photodiode detector laser

A) B) C) D) E) F) G) Cantilever SampleTop of Scanner

Build an AFM in your classroom

Biological Force Microscopy Images by Steven Lower mineral solution

mineral bead with bacteria covering it cantilever

Evaluation scenarios