"Exploring Structures - Butterfly" is a hands-on activity in which visitors investigate how some butterfly wings get their color. They learn that some wings get their color from the nanoscale structures on the wings instead of pigments.
"Exploring Structures - DNA" is a hands-on activity in which visitors create a necklace of wheat germ DNA. They learn that self-assembly is a process by which molecules and cells form themselves into functional structures.
"Exploring Size - Ball Sorter" is a hands-on activity in which visitors use sieves with different-sized holes, to sort balls by size. They learn that researchers are developing new technologies that can sort nano-sized things, including filters with nano-sized holes.
"Exploring Materials - Hydrogel" is a hands-on activity in which visitors discover how a super absorbing material can be used to move a straw. They learn that hydrogels can be used on the nanoscale in a similar fashion to manipulate tiny structures.
"Exploring Materials - Graphene" is a hands-on activity in which visitors use tape and graphite to make graphene and test the conductivity of graphite. They learn that graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern.
"Exploring Materials - Nano Gold" is a hands-on activity in which visitors discover that nanoparticles of gold can appear red, orange or even blue. They learn that a material can act differently when it’s nanometer-sized.
"Exploring Fabrication - Gummy Capsules" lets visitors make self-assembled polymer spheres. They learn that self-assembly is a process by which molecules and cells form themselves into functional structures, and that self-assembly is used to make nanocapsules that can deliver medication.
In this episode of O Wow Moments from the Children’s Museum of Houston, Mr. O is up against the supervillain Dr. Blot and his desire to stain everyone! Actually, it's just a fun excuse to examine how nanotechnology and nanoscale science are applied to create clothes that are stain resistant using nature's lotus leaf as inspiration!
In this episode of O Wow Moments with Mr. O from the Children's Museum of Houston, we take a look at the fusion of science and cooking - molecular gastronomy. Find out how to make your own ice cream topping that requires a scientist (namely, you) to create it and how it relates to nanotechnology!
