-
Micelas (Micelles)
Teaching Materials | 16 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Lisa Siedman, Jeanette Mowery, James J Marti, Kyle Forgette, Rodfal Alberto Rodriguez (editor), María Teresa Rivera (editor)
Este módulo introduce los conceptos de micelas y la concentración crítica de micelas (CMC, por sus siglas en inglés). Las micelas tienen aplicaciones importantes en la biotecnología. En ocasiones, se utilizan para llevar fármacos (drogas) a tejidos y...
-
Simulating a Controlled Drug Delivery System
Teaching Materials | 11 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: Rebekah Ravgiala, NNCI Nano
In this activity, students will learn about alternative drug delivery methods and then prepare a controlled drug delivery system using sodium alginate and glucose to mimic the behavior of a controlled release drug delivery system. The purpose of this investigation is to model a controlled drug...
-
Supermarket Science: Investigating Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Teaching Materials | 06 May 2020 | Contributor(s):: Samantha Andrews, NNCI Nano
In this activity, students will use mock gel electrophoresis data to identify some common organisms that have been genetically modified. Gel electrophoresis is a technique that separates DNA, according to size, using an electric field. Students are introduced to the process by watching a...
-
When a Cell Talks, Everyone Listens!
Teaching Materials | 06 May 2020 | Contributor(s):: Nicole Harper, NNCI Nano
This is a two part lesson focused on diffusion and cell communication. In Part 1, students will use the classic starch iodine diffusion activity. This activity can be done in any life science class. It can be used as an introduction to diffusion or as a refresher activity for advanced...
-
Investigating the History of Biotechnology
Teaching Materials | 06 May 2020 | Contributor(s):: Samantha Andrews, PhD, NNCI Nano
This activity examines the history of biotechnology from 1920 to present day and its impact on human health. Students rotate through a series of ten stations to read about biotechnology achievements over the decades and answer questions at each station. The activity can be done similar to a web...
-
Understanding Movement of Molecules across the Cell Membrane
Teaching Materials | 17 Apr 2020 | Contributor(s):: Brandi Childress, NNCI Nano
This lesson uses a macro-model to demonstrate the diffusion of molecules across the cell membrane. A deshelled egg serves as the cell model to observe movement in and out of the “cell”. Students will learn that the cell membrane is composed of a complex nano-structured...
-
Linear Diffusion and Cell Signaling
Teaching Materials | 17 Apr 2020 | Contributor(s):: NNCI Nano
In this activity, students explore the concept of diffusion as a component of cell communication. Specifically, students will explore how the rate of diffusion varies with distance and concentration gradient. They will use a pipet with water and dye to observe a macro-model of diffusion....
-
Using Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles to kill Antibiotic Resistant E. Coli.
Teaching Materials | 17 Apr 2020 | Contributor(s):: Michael Falck, James Marti, NNCI Nano
In this lab students will become familiar with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles, or bSNP’s. As part of the lesson, students will learn the potential of using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles for use as antimicrobials against antibiotic-resistant bacteria ...
-
Multifaceted Microfluidics: Three simple methods to create a microfluidic device
Teaching Materials | 07 Apr 2020 | Contributor(s):: Dixie Kullman, NNCI Nano
This module is open-ended to allow for use in a number of classroom settings. The importance here is to permit the teacher to choose the technique provided and tailor the technique to the scientific principle. The students will create their own microfluidic devices and utilize their devices in...
-
Achoo! Pollen Does More than Make Us Sneeze
Teaching Materials | 18 Mar 2020 | Contributor(s):: Holly Leddy, NNCI Nano
Harness the power of a scanning electron microscope to let students see that pollen is more than just the yellow dust that makes us sneeze sometimes! Students will learn to use scale bars to interpret size on microscope images, thus meeting math as well as science standards. Using that...
-
Water Filtration and Purity of Water - Getting Down to the Nanoscale
Teaching Materials | 13 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: David Mann, NNCI Nano
This is a three part lesson which begins with familiarizing students with SI prefixes and the nanoscale. In Lesson 2 students test a local water supply. It is designed to be used as an extension to classroom activities related to treating foul water for consumption. This activity should...
-
NNCI Reference Sheets
Teaching Materials | 11 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: Joyce Allen, Nancy Healy, NNCI Nano
This is a series of 5 reference sheets for high school students that have a summarized version of important concepts for courses in: Physics, Physical Science, Chemistry, Biology, and Genetics. These are two sided, with one side introducing nanotechnology and the other containing facts,...
-
Encapsulation & Controlled Release
Teaching Materials | 05 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: James J Marti, Kyle Forgette, Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
This module introduces the process of forming macrocapsules and the concept of self-assembly. Forming capsules at the macro, micro, and nano levels have very important applications in drug delivery, cosmetics, food technology, and cleaning up environmental toxins. The module includes a...
-
Assessment of Inhibition of Bacteria by Silver Colloid-Impregnated Bandages
Teaching Materials | 28 Jan 2020 | Contributor(s):: Heath Stout, Elinor Graf, Joann Dickert, NNCI Nano
This lab is designed to have students develop and implement their own experiment to test the antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles. Students will be required to document and communicate the entire process via their scientific notebook. Students will also consider the implications and...
-
The Effects of Colloidal Silver on Microbial Growth: Investigating Snake Oil Science
Teaching Materials | 28 Jan 2020 | Contributor(s):: Rebekah Ravgiala, NNCI Nano
This is a two part lesson focused on the use of colloidal silver as an antibacterial agent.The purpose of this activity is to use electro-chemistry techniques to generate colloidal silver and then utilize the colloidal silver to determine if the growth of the bacteria Saccharomyces cerevisiae...
-
Nanoparticles Land to Ocean: Understanding the Effect of Nanoparticle Pollutants
Teaching Materials | 15 Jan 2020 | Contributor(s):: Chloe Figuerido, NNCI Nano (editor)
Pollution, both macroscopic and microscopic, is an important environmental issue for aquatic ecosystems. For this lab, students will model how nanoparticle pollution travels from land to water. This lab isa 2-part series of labs designed to help students understand the effect that nanoscale...
-
Nanobacteria: How Fast do Bacteria Grow?
Teaching Materials | 15 Jan 2020 | Contributor(s):: Joe Donahue, NNCI Nano
Students will calculate surface area, draw graphs, and approximate the populations of bacteria and nanobes. Before starting this lab, the student should understand how to 1) calculate the surface area of a circle, 2) draw and label a graph, 3) define circumference and radius. This...
-
Modeling Self Assembly Middle School Version
Teaching Materials | 15 Jan 2020 | Contributor(s):: Roquel Stanley, Angela Berenstein, NNCI Nano
This is the middle school version of a more complex high school lesson. There are two activities in this lesson, the Fly Prison and the Water Maze. The Fly Prison is a hands-on modeling activity designed to introduce students to the area of nanotechnology and give them a basic...
-
Modeling Self Assembly High School Version
Teaching Materials | 15 Jan 2020 | Contributor(s):: Roquel Stanley, NNCI Nano
There are two activities in this lesson, the Fly Prison and the Water Maze. The Fly Prison is a hands-on modeling activity designed to introduce students to the area of nanotechnology and give them a basic understanding of how researchers build very small devices by the self-assembly of...
-
Gelatin Microfluidics
Teaching Materials | 13 Jan 2020 | Contributor(s):: Javier Cervantes, NNCI Nano
This lab shows the importance of channel design in biotechnology and nanotechnology and the methods used to study the behavior of fluids as they flow through a channel. Students will create and test a microfluidic device by creating narrow channels in gelatin, injecting dye in the...