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Self-Assembly in Crystals

[1] : Cart demonstration [2]

Self-Assembly in Crystals

Download all files (zip) [3]  

Overview
Self-Assembly in Crystals
Lizzie Hager-Barnard [4]
NISE Network product
image/jpeg iconimg_1202.jpg [5]

Description: 

In this activity, visitors watch as a crystal self-assembles instantly! During this activity visitors learn what crystals are and how they grow. They also discover that self-assembly is an important process for many naturally occurring systems.
Objectives

Big Idea: 

In this activity, visitors learn that crystals are formed from repeating units and that crystal formation is a type of self-assembly. Visitors also discover that behaviors at the atomic and the molecular scales can result in macroscale structures that are visible to the human eye.

Learning goals: 

  • What self-assembly is
  • What crystals are
  • That crystal formation is due to the self-assembly of atoms and molecules
  • That super-saturated solutions can form crystals
  • That some reactions produce heat (some reactions are exothermic)
  • That using super-cooled solutions can speed up crystal formation

NISE Net Content Map: 

  • Nanometer-sized things are very small, and often behave differently than larger things do.
  • Scientists and engineers have formed the interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology by investigating properties and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.

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:

Lawrence Hall of Science [6]

Checklist

Scientist reviewed? check_reviewed
Peer reviewed? check_reviewed
Visitor evaluation? check_reviewed

Adaptable Formats

Cart demonstration [2]
Classroom activity [7]

Nano Topics

[8], [9], [10], [11]

Audience

[12]

Tags

[13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18]

Permissions

Creative Commons license image [19]
Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike

Catalog section: 

Programs

What kind of program?: 

Cart demonstration

Adaptable formats: 

Cart demonstration
Classroom activity

Nano topics: 

Art and nature
Bio and medicine
Fundamentals
Materials, tools, and applications

Audience: 

All ages

Content keywords: 

self-assembly
crystals
supersaturated
supercooled
periodic
exothermic

Highlight this product during NanoDays?: 

0

K-12: 

This product would be useful for K-12 teachers.
Standards

Physical science: 

K-4: Properties of objects and materials
5-8: Properties and changes of properties in matter
5-8: Transfer of energy
9-12: Interactions of energy and matter
9-12: Structure and properties of matter
9-12: Structure of atoms

Life science: 

5-8: Structure and function in living systems
9-12: Matter, energy, and organization in living systems

Science as inquiry: 

K-4: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
5-8: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
9-12: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Resources
Download zip file [3]

Download all files (ZIP) [3]

Files: 

application/msword iconLesson plan [20]
application/pdf iconCheckerboard schematics [21]
application/pdf iconExamples of crystals [22]
application/pdf iconTemperature graphs [23]
Evaluations
Comments
Source URL: http://nisenet.org/catalog/programs/self-assembly_crystals

Links:
[1] http://nisenet.org/catalog/programs
[2] http://nisenet.org/catalog/programs/cart_demonstration
[3] http://nisenet.org/node/10751/filefield_compress/all
[4] http://nisenet.org/users/lizzie_hager-barnard
[5] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/images/catalog/10751/img_1202.jpg
[6] http://nisenet.org/community/organizations/lawrence-hall-science
[7] http://nisenet.org/catalog/programs/classroom_activity
[8] http://nisenet.org/category/nano-topics/art-nature
[9] http://nisenet.org/category/nano-interests/bio-medicine
[10] http://nisenet.org/category/nano-interests/fundamentals
[11] http://nisenet.org/category/nano-interests/materials-tools-applications
[12] http://nisenet.org/category/audience/all_ages
[13] http://nisenet.org/category/catalog-exhibits/self-assembly
[14] http://nisenet.org/catalog/topics/crystals
[15] http://nisenet.org/catalog/topics/supersaturated
[16] http://nisenet.org/catalog/topics/supercooled
[17] http://nisenet.org/catalog/topics/periodic
[18] http://nisenet.org/catalog/topics/exothermic
[19] http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/
[20] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/uploads/10751/crystals_lessonplan_aug12_0.doc
[21] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/uploads/10751/crystals_checkerboard_aug12_0.pdf
[22] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/uploads/10751/crystals_crystalimages_aug12.pdf
[23] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/uploads/10751/crystals_temperaturegraphs_aug12_0.pdf