Introduction to Nanotechnology
Overview
This lesson uses an article from Science News for Students as a learning tool for introducing nanotechnology and incorporates a close reading activity.
Learning Objectives
Students will learn about what nanotechnology is and use their creativity to guess what might come in the future.
Materials
Internet Access or Printed Copies
Article: Cool Jobs: Big future for super small science from student.societyforscience.org available at the following link: https://student.societyforscience.org/article/cool-jobs-big-future-super-small-science
Procedures
Engage:
10 facts about nanotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7BjkXF2bxU
Study: Article: https://student.societyforscience.org/article/cool-jobs-big-future-super-small-science
1. Students will highlight the vocab words in the first part of the article. Students work with a partner and either draw a picture or come up with an example to help explain the word.
2. Take turns reading aloud section one of the article. The teacher needs to make sure the students understand what it is speaking about
3. Break the students up into 3 groups. Each group is going to read one section, create a visual aid and present what they read to the rest of the class.
Activate:
4. Each group should brainstorm how they think the materials they learned about might be used in the application. Students will make a commercial for their “product.”
Differentiation:
Students must be in mixed groups so the lower readers can get help from those with higher language ability. Student choice in how they will advertise their project: pamphlet, TV commercial, presentation, etc. Student choice in their visual aid.
Credits
This learning module was created by Jacquelynor Tschudy , a participant in Indiana University-Purdue University’s NSF-Funded “Nanotechnology Experiences for Students and Teachers (NEST)” Program (Award # 1513112).