The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

NANOTECHNOLOGY: Nanoscale

NANOTECHNOLOGY:

Nanoscale

A 4th/5th grade STEM lesson unit

Terri Schilling

2/13/2024

Notes for teachers

• Context: This lesson is done in the classroom
• Students work in individually or in small groups of 2-3
• Prepare cutting pieces of string one-meter long.
• Materials organized on trays for each group

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List of Materials

• Meter Stick
• Ruler (centimeters and inches)
• Magnifying glass
• String or yarn (for visualizing measurements)
• Large sheets of paper or a whiteboard
• Colored Markers (2 per group)
• Visual aids (pictures of objects at different scales)
• Tiny Creatures (Read Aloud - 6:31)
• Nano Ruler (instructions on website) / copies for the class
• see notes below for teacher resources

Arizona Science Standards

Science Standards

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5.P1U1.1 Analyze and interpret data to explain that matter of any type can be subdivided into particles too small to see and, in a closed system, if properties change or chemical reactions occur, the amount of matter stays the same.

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U2: The knowledge produced by science is used in engineering and technologies to solve problems and/or create products.

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Science and Engineering Practices

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• ask questions and define problems
• develop and use models
• plan and carry out investigations
• analyze and interpret data
• use mathematical and computational thinking
• construct explanations and design solutions
• engage in argument from evidence
• obtain, evaluate and communicate information

Arizona ELA Standards

5.RI.9 Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

5.W.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

5.SL1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

5.L.5a Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

a. Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.

5.L.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships (e.g., however, although, nevertheless, similarly, moreover, in addition).

Objective(s):

Students will learn about nanotechnology and understand the concept of scale by comparing nanometers to other units of measurement.

Today we will examine how illustrations in the story contribute to the purpose of the text.

Agenda (1-2 sixty-minute class)

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What is nanorobotics role in medicine?

Read-aloud: Tiny Creatures (10-15 mins) / with activity (15-45 minutes)

Introduction to nanotechnology and measurement in nanotechnology (10 mins discussion)

Vocabulary (5 minutes / with activity (30 minutes)

Measurement Activity (25 - 45 minutes)

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Extension (30-45 mins)

Read-Aloud

6:31

Video (1:04)

Vocabulary Words to Know

Nanotechnology:

The usage of matter on the nanometer scale to produce structures, systems, and technological devices.

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Nanoscale:

Length scale applicable to nanotechnology (i.e., 1-100 nanometers).

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Nanometer (nm):

A unit of measurement equal to one-billionth of one meter.

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Micrometer (µm): metric unit of measure for length equal to 0.001 mm, or about 0.000039 inch.

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Millimeter (mm): a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀₀ meter

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Centimeter (cm): a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter

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Meter (m): a unit of measurement equal to 100 centimetres

Did you know that…

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• a dime is 1,000,000 (1 million) nanometers thick, or just one millimeter?

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• a normal person can walk about 32 kilometers in one day. If that person were shrunk so that they were 1 nanometer tall, it would take them about 24 years to walk the length of a dollar bill.

• a nanometer is how far your fingernail grows in one second?

• there are more nanometers in the length of your hand then there are cars in the United States?

Nanoparticles

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ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES

Nanotechnology Scale

The nanoscale is incredibly small

One nanometer being ONE BILLIONTH of a meter.

At this scale, the laws of physics can be very different, and materials can have unique properties

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1 nm = 1,000,000 mm

1 m = 1,000,000,000 nm

1 micrometer = 1,000 nm

Nanoscale - Let’s Have Some Fun!!!

Nanoscale - Let’s Explore!

Assessment

Participation: Observe student participation during discussions and activities.

Activity Completion: Check students’ understanding through their participation in the string and magnifying glass activities.

Exit Ticket: Have students write one thing they learned about nanotechnology and one question they still have.

Differentiation

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• Heterogeneous groups with strong partners
• Extra time

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Math Integration: Have students practice converting between different units of measurement.

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• Science Project: Create a research project on how nanotechnology is used in different fields like medicine, electronics, or environmental science.