University of Wisconsin-Madison Nanoscacle Science and Engineering Center Education and Outreach: Making Nanoscience

1. 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 • 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. • 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 Program Goals: • Increase students’ self-efficacy toward pursing careers in science. • Increase students’ mastery of the National Science Education standards. • Help to increase participation of students from underrepresented groups in science and engineering. • Provide science service learning opportunities through community volunteering. • Build a model for national dissemination and implementation of the SCI ENCountErs program. 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 Goals for 2009: • Increased participation from pre-service teachers • Increase capacity for volunteers • Provide support to implement program in other Boys and Girls Clubs in Wisconsin 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 PoweradeOption 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