(Nanoleap lessons courtesy of Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning.)

Duration: 8 lessons across 3 weeks

Overview

The NanoLeap project represents an approach for teachers to introduce the exciting world of nanoscale science and technology to their classes by integrating interdisciplinary research with traditional science concepts. Investigating Static Forces in Nature: The Mystery of the Gecko is a three-week module that replaces and supplements part of a unit that is normally taught at the beginning of a physical science course. It addresses National Science Education Standards (NSES) in Science as Inquiry, the Nature of Science, and Physical Science including the topics of static forces, measurement, size and scale, and adhesion. It also provides an introduction to the idea of atomic structure and its relation to physical properties. Click HERE for other McREL nanotechnology education resources.

While considering the question of adhesion, students learn about the properties of surfaces and the measurement of force interactions. They then apply these concepts at the nanoscale level. Through studying a curious natural phenomenon (How does a gecko adhere to a ceiling?), students gain an understanding of forces, adhesion, surface contact, small size and scale, surfaces close-up, instrumentation, and weak atomic interactions. The central question that students will consider throughout the module is: “What factors affect the strength of the contact forces between interacting surfaces?”

Lessons

Lesson 1: How Can a Gecko Walk on the Ceiling? — Engage
Lesson 2: What Do We Mean When We Speak About Surfaces in Contact?
Lesson 3: What Are Your Ideas About Small Sizes?
Lesson 4: What Do We Learn When We Look More Closely?
Lesson 5: What Types of Forces Can Hold Objects Together?
Lesson 6: How MUCH Force Is Needed to Make an Object Stick?
Lesson 7: How Do We Measure Forces at the Nanoscale Level?
Lesson 8: How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling? — Evaluate

Approximate Length or Duration of Activities

Three week module. Individual activities can be implemented as stand-alone lessons.

Required Skills/Prerequisites

Pilot-test teachers suggested that it would be beneficial for students to have prerequisite knowledge about scientific notation and basic atomic structure prior to beginning this module.

Evaluation Methods

Student formative assessments, designed to help teachers make effective instructional decisions, are embedded within each lesson (e.g., reflection journals to assess learning and identify questions and misconceptions early). The summative essay assessment is evaluated using rubrics designed to help students and teachers understand expectations and measure performance against specific criteria.

For the Classroom

Whether a physical science course begins with chemistry topics or physics topics, NanoLeap: Exploring the Mystery of the Gecko fits easily into the curriculum. The module engages students actively in the processes of experimental design, utilizing metric measurements and conversions, and exploring properties of matter. Pilot-test teachers suggested that it would be beneficial for students to have prerequisite knowledge about scientific notation and basic atomic structure prior to beginning this module.

Physical Science

Investigating Static Forces in Nature: The Mystery of the Gecko

Entire Physical Science Compilation—Lessons 1-8

+ Physical Science Student Journals (PDF 1.5 Mb)
+ Physical Science Teacher Guides (PDF, 2 Mb)

Preface

The NanoLeap project represents an approach for teachers to introduce the exciting world of nanoscale science and technology to their classes by integrating interdisciplinary research with traditional science concepts.

+ Preface, Learning Objectives, Standards, & Big Ideas (PDF 150 Kb)
+ Materials Sheet (PDF, 109 Kb) + Video & Multimedia

Lesson 1: How Can a Gecko Walk on the Ceiling?

Students will:

• Make observations and interpretations of how the gecko’s foot interacts with surfaces
• Formulate possible adhesive methods that might be considered for further investigations

+ Teacher Guide (PDF, 68 Kb)
+ PowerPoint (PPT, 373 Kb)
+ Student Journal (Word, 3 Mb)
+ Tricky Feet (WMV, 5.8 Mb)
+ NanoSize Me (QT, 4.7 Mb)

Lesson 2: What Do We Mean When We Speak About Surfaces in Contact?

Students will:

• Compare the amount of surface contact (real contact) to total unit area (apparent contact) at the macro level
• Understand that different textures of surfaces have different contact ratios

+ Teacher Guide (PDF, 55 Kb)
+ PowerPoint (PPT, 1.2 Mb)
+ Student Journal (Word, 4.6 Mb)

Lesson 3: What Are Your Ideas About Small Sizes?

Students will:

• Classify and compare objects in different size ranges to have a better understanding of objects at the nanoscale
• Understand relative size of objects at different scales
• Describe nanotechnology, some of its applications, and the positive as well as negative impacts of this technology to someone who is not familiar with the subject to someone who is not familiar with the subject
+ Teacher Guide (PDF, 261 Kb)
+ PowerPoint (PPT, 531 Kb)
+ Student Journal (Word 649 Kb)
+ NanoScale Me (Flash Movie, 244 Kb)
+ National Geographic Article

Lesson 4: What Do We Learn When We Look More Closely?

Students will:

• Explain how size, structure, and scale relate to a surface features
• Describe the function of compliant surfaces with regard to adhesion (what happens when a surface of an object is applied to the surface of another object)
+ Teacher Guide (PDF, 629 Kb)
+ PowerPoint (PPT, 10.7 Mb)
+ Student Journal (Word, 2.3 Mb)

Lesson 5: What Types of Forces Can Hold Objects Together?

Students will:

• Explain the properties of an adhesive
• Describe what happens when the surface of an object is brought into contact with the surface of another object
• Characterize different methods of adhesion
• Evaluate applicability of different methods to explain gecko adhesion
+ Teacher Guide (PDF, 248 Kb)
+ PowerPoint (PPT, 326 Kb)
+ Student Journal (Word, 177 Kb)
+ Student Handout (Word, 174 Kb)

Lesson 6: How MUCH Force Is Needed to Make an Object Stick?

Students will:

• Explain that a net force of zero or greater is necessary for objects to adhere to a surface (wall or ceiling)
• Identify different variables and the constants that affect adhesive forces
• Explain how the amount of adhesion changes when the conditions of the surfaces change

+ Teacher Guide (PDF, 139 Kb)
+ PowerPoint (PPT, 957 Kb)
+ Student Journal (Word, 2.3 Mb)

Lesson 7: How Do We Measure Forces at the Nanoscale Level?

Students will:

• Compare and contrast model probe instruments with those that are used to make measurements of electric and magnetic forces at the nanoscale (AFM, MEMS)
• Model how instrument probes can be used to characterize surface interactions
• Describe how the topography of a surface relates to adhesion
• Interpret graphs of forces at the nanoscale level
• Consider the new evidence about surface topography and seta adhesive forces to evaluate remaining methods of gecko adhesion
+ Teacher Guide (PDF, 364 Kb)
+ PowerPoint (PPT, 2 Mb)
+ Atoms PPT (PPT, 807 Kb)
+ Student Journal (Word, 934 Kb)
+ NanoLeap into AFM (QT, 150 Kb)

Lesson 8: How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling?

Students will:

• Describe the attractive forces between and within molecules that cause the gecko to adhere to a vertical surface
• Describe how a large number of small forces (van der Waals interactions) at the nanoscale level can add up to macroscopic forces
• Describe how a gecko can adhere to a ceiling by drawing on learning experiences throughout module
+ Teacher Guide (PDF, 270 Kb)
+ PowerPoint (PPT, 878 Kb)
+ Student Journal (Word, 359 Kb)
+ Peer Review Checklist (Word, 154 Kb)
+ Hot Spots
+ Charge Simulator

Contributors

Principal Investigators: John Ristvey, McREL, and Christine Morrow, SMART Bridges
Developers: John Ristvey and Deb Aruca, McREL, Christine Morrow, SMART Bridges, Dr. Marni Goldman, Stanford University, and Dr. Beth Rajan-Sockman, Inspired  Instruction

For a full list of contributors, see the lesson plan web page.

“Magic Toes” by Jurveston (Flickr Commons)

Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Lesson Plans, Web Resources

Tags: Lesson Plans, Nanotechnology, Physics