National Chemistry Week 2012: "Nanotechnology: The Smallest BIG Idea in Science"

The American Chemical Society (ACS)  has partnered with the NISE Network to provide online outreach resources for National Chemistry Week 2012 focused on Nanotechnology. NISE Network and ACS educational staff have identified hands-on activities from previous NanoDays kits that can be repurposed for outreach events during National Chemistry Week. Below you will find a description of all relevant activities and a link to the official ACS National Chemistry Week publication featuring NISE net content.

Also, ACS members and NISE Network partners are encouraged to seek out local partners to carry out National Chemistry Week events. NISE Net is sharing a list of partner institutions that have held NanoDay events as a starting point for all ACS members. NISE Net participants can start their search for partners on the ACS page by following the links below.

Volunteer resources:

• How to get involved  [1](ACS National Chemistry Week website) [1]

• Find an National Chemistry Week event in your area [2]

• Event Coordinator resources [3]including: planning tips, promotional materials, and logistical advice (ACS)

• Event logos and graphics [4]

• The   [5]official ACS National Chemistry Week publication: [5] "Celebrating Chemistry" Nanotechnology: the Smallest BIG Idea in Science (PDF) with an introduction to nanotechnology, scientist profiles, and activities to try at home; the publication is targeted at children in 4th-6th grade. Past editions of "Celebrating Chemistry" are available here (ACS). [6]

• Webinar presentation for National Chemistry Week Coordinators (August 2012) 
  PDF of  webinar slide presentation [7] by Darrell Porcello [8], Lawrence Hall of Science about the NISE Network
  National Chemistry Week 2012 Coordinator webinar is available here [9]

• Connecting with NISE Network partners  [10]

• List of NISE Network partners who have held NanoDays events [11]

• Signage
  Promotional sign for National Chemistry Week PDF [12] (matching NanoDays style format)
  Editable National Chemistry Week activity sign Word Doc [13] (in NanoDays style format)

 

 

NISE Network hands-on activities  great for National Chemistry Week events:

• Hydrogel [14]
  A hands-on activity in which visitors discover how a super absorbing material can be used to move a straw.

• Graphene [15]
  A hands-on activity in which visitors use tape and graphite to make graphene and test the conductivity of graphite.

• Gummy Capsules [16]
  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.

• Nano Gold [17]
  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.

• Nano Sand [18]
  A hands-on activity exploring how water behaves differently when it comes in contact with nano sand and regular sand. Visitors learn about the hydrophobic properties of nano sand.

• Sunblock [19]
  Sunblock is a hands-on activity comparing sunblock containing nanoparticles to ointment. Visitors learn how some sunblocks that rub in clear contain nanoparticles that block harmful rays from the sun.

• DNA [20]
  A facilitated, hands-on activity exploring deoxyribonucleic acid, a nanoscale structure that occurs in nature. Visitors extract a sample of DNA from split peas and put it in an Eppendorf tube to take home.

More NISE Network activities: www.nisenet.org/catalog [21] 
examples of additional chemistry activities in the catalog:

• Sweet Self-Assembly [22]
• Exploring Size - Scented Balloons [23]
• Exploring Materials - Liquid Crystals [24]