University of WisconsinMadison Nanoscacle Science and Engineering Center Education and Outreach: Mak

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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
ILAB Introduction
Tactile Nanoscale Models Inspiration and Goals
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.

• 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 15 mm
Approximately 178,000 mm
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.

• 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.

3. Print on a Rapid Prototyping Printer
2. Convert to 3D-image file (VRML) in Mat Lab
1. Start with an SEM image
Submersible Audible Light Sensor
Color Analysis Light Sensor
The Discovery Center Museum and UW-NSEC
Partnership Big Ideas for Teaching Small Science
Connecting Nanoscience to the Curriculum Research
Experience for Teachers and K-12 Nanoscience
Curriculum
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.
Research Experience for Teachers
Gold Nanoparticles as Sensors for Electrolytes
in Sports Drinks

• 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

• 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

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

Powerade Option
Scanning Probe Microscope Model
June 11th, 2007 Newsweek Article about Tactile
Nanoscale Models

• 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.

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.
Pickle Juice