Sand, Plants and Pants

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Overview
Standards
Resources
Comments

Overview

Description:

Sand, Plants and Pants is a hands-on activity exploring how the application of nano-sized particles or substances can change a bigger material’s properties. Visitors investigate the hydrophobic properties of plants, nano-fabric pants and magic sand.

Objectives

Big Idea:

Nanoscale science can change how materials behave on the macroscale.

Learning goals:

See how science and nanotechnology can change everyday materials.
Describe how some plant leaves have nano-sized bumps that repel water thus keeping their leaves clean and dry. This phenomenon is called the “Lotus Effect.”
Explain that Magic Sand and Nano fabrics are an example of nanotechnology that mimics the water-repelling “Lotus Effect” of some plant leaves.
Discuss how natural phenomena often inspires new innovations

Universal design:

Repeat and reinforce main ideas and concepts.

Provide multiple entry points and multiple ways of engagement

Provide physical and sensory access to all aspects of the program. Visitors can touch, see and hear different elements of the program.

Credits

Developed for the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers 0532536 and 0940143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

Owning institution:

Children's Museum of Houston

Checklist

Scientist reviewed? check_reviewed

Peer reviewed? check_reviewed

Visitor evaluation? check_reviewed

Nano Topics

Materials, tools, and applications

Audience

All ages

Permissions

Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike

Standards

History and nature of science:

K-4: Science as a human endeavor

5-8: Science as a human endeavor

9-12: Science as a human endeavor

Life science:

5-8: Diversity and adaptations of organisms

Physical science:

K-4: Properties of objects and materials

5-8: Properties and changes of properties in matter

9-12: Structure and properties of matter

Science and Technology:

K-4: Understanding about science and technology

5-8: Abilities of technological design

5-8: Understanding about science and technology

9-12: Abilities of technological design

9-12: Understanding about science and technology

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

5-8: Science and technology in society

Resources

Download all files (ZIP)

Files:

NISE_Sand_Plants_and_Pants_Final.doc