Summer Institute Bryan Nowakowski

My understanding of Nano is growing. I thought of Nano as the study of small things. I now realize that it is that and MUCH more.

NANO IS REAL small !! – Scale information, the metric system, and powers of ten. – Objects in the scale cannot be seen with visible light (10 -6) – Ways to “see” SEM- Scanning Electron Microscope AFM- Atomic Force Microscope STM- Scanning Tunneling Microscope

I am recognizing the potential of Nano-research: Potential cures (or improvements to eradicate) of the common cold, types of cancer, diabetes, etc… Cleaning up/ not destroy the environment: clean fuel, cleaner energy, cleaner air.

When am I going to implement Nano in my science curriculum? The Nano Unit will accompany my unit on electricity. This will happen in the fall.

How will I implement Nano? Specific skills will be addressed prior to this unit: measurement, scale, estimation, etc.. These skills will be covered within the math curriculum. Prior to teaching the electricity unit, a unit of Health Unit involving cells and molecules will be covered.

Continued……… The electricity unit will be taught (typically 2-3 weeks of lessons/activities). During this unit, the students will complete the activities and have the opportunity the explore/problem solve (i.e. expand simple circuits).

Nano Week MONDAY: Introduction to Nano. – Introduce grad student(s) – Explain what Nano is. – Give examples of research and what products Nano has influenced.

Nano Week Tuesday: Scale – Introduce the concept of scale. Review the metric system. Do the folding – cutting paper activity Do a form of Scale Activity using pictures the students are familiar with to put in order of size.

Nano Week Wednesday: Light/Optics – Explain the difference between a telescope and a microscope. Build the telescope activity. – Explain what a telescope does. – Explain the sections and roles of the sections of the telescope. – Students will construct telescopes. – Take students outside to explore. Set up the digital microscope. – Explain the scale of the images. – Play “What’s the gunk”. Use materials familiar to the students. Give them a list of possibilities. Have them hypothesize and have reasons for their educated guesses.

Nano Week Thursday: Learning to see without sight. – Explain that some microscopes use touch to “see” the samples being tested. – Play the “Braille game”. – Do the AFM Topological Data activity. Have the stylus used by students with special needs marked prior to activity.

Nano Week Friday – Conclusion of Nano. – Demostration of the: SEM: Scanning Electron Microscope AFM: Atomic Force Microscope STM: Scanning Tunneling Microscope

SOOOO EXCITED!!! This institute had magnified my excitement with science this upcoming school year. The complexity and exploring the unknown is absolutely fascinating! Using the different microscopes to see what different samples are made up of, is remarkable. My students are definitely going to be eager to participate.

I really enjoyed this institute!! An extra-special “ BIG and nano” thanks to: Pat, Val, Becky, and Michael.