Transcript University of Wisconsin-Madison Nanoscacle Science and

University of Wisconsin-Madison Nanoscacle Science and Engineering Center
Education and Outreach: Making Nanoscience Larger than Life
Andrew Greenberg, Brittland DeKorver, Jenny Powell, and John Moore University of Wisconsin-Madison (NSEC DMR-0425880)
Making Science Accessible for Students with Visual Impairments:
Independent Laboratory Access for the Blind (ILAB) and
Tactile Nanoscale Models
Tactile Nanoscale Models Inspiration and Goals
Inspiration
•After visiting the Indiana School for the Blind, and seeiing their use of tacitle models of
nanoscacle surfaces we thought about building models of actual nanoscale surfaces.
•Could images taken from SEM and AFM instruments be made into 3D tactile models??
Approximately
178,000 mm
Goals:
•Develop a method to convert data from nanoscale surfaces into large scale tactile models.
•Build models that accurately convey the topography and morphology of nanoscale
surfaces
•Use the models to teach students who are blind and visually impaired and the general
public about nanoscience topics.
.
Submersible Audible Color Analysis Light
Light Sensor
Sensor
1. Start with
an SEM image
2. Convert to 3Dimage file
(VRML) in Mat Lab
3 Print on a
Rapid
Prototyping
Printer
The Discovery Center Museum and UW-NSEC Partnership:
Big Ideas for Teaching Small Science
During the summer of 2005 the UW-NSEC and Discovery Center met to
discuss how the two institutions could benefit from working jointly on
presenting nanoscience and technology programs to the public. Through
this partnership the NSEC supports the Discovery Center in their efforts
to obtain external funding for nanoprograms. The NSEC serves as the
content experts and helps with program idea development. In addition the
NSEC helps to train Discovery Center staff on existing nanoporgraming.
Getting a Feel for the Nanoscale
Building on the UW-NSEC developed 3D-tactile nanoscale models.
Discovery Center and the UW-NSEC are partnering to building
informal science education kiosks to teach about nanoscience and
technology. These interactive kiosks will allow visitors to feel contours
of nanoscale surfaces of materials ranging from lotus leaves to
microchips. Kiosks will be disseminated nationally through the NISE
Net.
Kiosk Tactile Surfaces
•Lotus Leaves
•CDs and DVDs
•Gecko Feet
•Computer Chips
•Gore-Tex
•Viruses
•Iridescent Butterflies
11th,
June
2007 Newsweek
Article about Tactile
Nanoscale Models
Carbon Playground
The UW-NSEC is developing a Carbon Playground to be housed
on site at the Discovery Center. The playground will consist of
climbable outdoor play equipment built in the shape of molecules
such as carbon nanotubes and fullerenes. All equipment will be
built to scale with accurate bond angles and bond lengths. The
playground will complement underdevelopment carbon nanotube
and fullerene exhibits at the Discovery Center. Equipment will be
disseminated nationally through the NISE Net.
Program Goals:
•Increase students’ self-efficacy
toward pursing careers in science.
•Increase students’ mastery of the
National Science Education
standards.
•Approximately 30 Boys and Girls Club members
work with UW-Madison undergraduate volunteers
each week to explore exciting areas of science and
engineering to build their self-efficacy toward
pursuing a career in science.
•Over the four years of the program, SCI
ENCountErs has reached over 200 Boys and Girls
Club members
•Help to increase participation of
students from underrepresented
groups in science and engineering.
•Provide science service learning
opportunities through community
volunteering.
Goals for 2009:
Increased participation from preservice teachers
Increase capacity for volunteers
Provide support to implement
program in other Boys and Girls
Clubs in Wisconsin
Build a model for national
dissemination and implementation of
the SCI ENCountErs program.
Connecting Nanoscience to the Curriculum:
Research Experience for Teachers and K-12 Nanoscience Curriculum
Research Experience for Teachers
• The NSEC hosts a five week nontraditional Research
Experience for Teachers program.
•Teachers work with education outreach staff and NSEC faculty
to develop nanoscience lessons and demonstrations for their
classrooms
•Teachers are required to teach their lesson in their classroom
during the following academic year.
• Lessons integrated in NSEC teacher workshops.
•Current Nanoscience Lessons Developed by NSEC RETs
•Middle School Self Assembly: Peter Watts
•Physical Properties of Nanostructures: Kevin Moore
•Nanoscience in Nature: A Webquest: Jeanne Nye
•Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology: Jeanine
Gelhaus
•Gold Nanoparticles as Sensors for Electrolytes: Suzanne
Folberg
• Nanotechnology Budget: A Webquest: Jeanne Nye
•An Inexpensive Working Model of a Scanning Probe
Microscope: Maynard Morin
Scanning Probe Microscope Model
• A simple model of a scanning probe microscope that
can be built for approximately $10.
•Utilizes an LED and a CdS light detector.
• Models of surfaces can be easily constructed from a
CD case, various color plastic eggs, and black spray
paint.
Gold Nanoparticles as Sensors for Electrolytes
in Sports Drinks
• Middle and high school lesson to sense relative
amounts of electrolytes in sports drinks.
• Students complete online module to simulate the
synthesis of gold nanoparticles
• Compare four different electrolyte solutions to
known standards of different salt solutions.
• Gatorade
• Pedialyte
• Powerade
• Pickle Juice
Gold Nanospheres Exposed to Power Option
1 drop Power Option
varied drops Power Option
90 drops Power Option
1.4
1.2
Absorbance (a.u.)
Approximately
15 mm
•SCI ENCountErs, a collaboration between the
UW-Madison NSEC and the Boys and Girls Clubs
of Dane County, is a weekly hands-on science club
for students in grades 5-8 with the goal of
increasing participation in science and engineering
of students from underrepresented groups.
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
300
400
500
600
700
Wavelength (nm)
Powerade Option
1.4
Absorbance (a.u.)
ILAB Introduction
ILAB is a collaboration between the
UW-Madison NSEC, Penn State, and
Truman State University to develop
tools, curriculum, and teaching
methodologies to increase laboratory
independence for students who are blind
and visually impaired.
Mission: ILAB seeks to raise the
expectations of blind and visually
impaired (VI) high school and college
students, as well as educators of these
students, with the goal of encouraging
them to consider careers in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) professions.
Gold Nanospheres Exposed to Pickle Juice
1.2
1 drop Pickle Juice
varied drops Pickle Juice
90 drops Pickle Juice
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
300
400
500
600
Wavelength (nm)
Pickle Juice
700