McREL: Education and Public Outreach: NanoLeap: Physical Science

Physical Science

Investigating Static Forces in Nature: The Mystery of the Gecko

Lesson 1 Lesson 5 Lesson 2 Lesson 6 Lesson 3 Lesson 7 Lesson 4 Lesson 8
Entire Compilation—Lessons 1-8 + Physical Science Student Journals (PDF 1.5 Mb) + Physical Science Teacher Guides (PDF, 2 Mb)
Preface The NanoLeap project represents an approach for teachers to introduce the exciting world of nanoscale science and technology to their classes by integrating interdisciplinary research with traditional science concepts. + Preface, Learning Objectives, Standards, & Big Ideas (PDF 150 Kb) + Materials Sheet (PDF, 109 Kb)
Lesson 1: How Can a Gecko Walk on the Ceiling? Students will: • Make observations and interpretations of how the gecko's foot interacts with surfaces • Formulate possible adhesive methods that might be considered for further investigations + Teacher Guide (PDF, 68 Kb) + PowerPoint (PPT, 373 Kb) + Student Journal (Word, 3 Mb) + Tricky Feet (WMV, 5.8 Mb) + NanoSize Me (QT, 4.7 Mb)
Lesson 2: What Do We Mean When We Speak About Surfaces in Contact? Students will: • Compare the amount of surface contact (real contact) to total unit area (apparent contact) at the macro level • Understand that different textures of surfaces have different contact ratios + Teacher Guide (PDF, 55 Kb) + PowerPoint (PPT, 1.2 Mb) + Student Journal (Word, 4.6 Mb)
Lesson 3: What Are Your Ideas About Small Sizes? Students will: • Classify and compare objects in different size ranges to have a better understanding of objects at the nanoscale • Understand relative size of objects at different scales • Describe nanotechnology, some of its applications, and the positive as well as negative impacts of this technology to someone who is not familiar with the subject + Teacher Guide (PDF, 261 Kb) + PowerPoint (PPT, 531 Kb) + Student Journal (Word 649 Kb) + NanoScale Me (Flash Movie, 244 Kb) + National Geographic Article
Lesson 4: What Do We Learn When We Look More Closely? Students will: • Explain how size, structure, and scale relate to a surface features • Describe the function of compliant surfaces with regard to adhesion (what happens when a surface of an object is applied to the surface of another object) + Teacher Guide (PDF, 629 Kb) + PowerPoint (PPT, 10.7 Mb) + Student Journal (Word, 2.3 Mb)
Lesson 5: What Types of Forces Can Hold Objects Together? Students will: • Explain the properties of an adhesive • Describe what happens when the surface of an object is brought into contact with the surface of another object • Characterize different methods of adhesion • Evaluate applicability of different methods to explain gecko adhesion + Teacher Guide (PDF, 248 Kb) + PowerPoint (PPT, 326 Kb) + Student Journal (Word, 177 Kb) + Student Handout (Word, 174 Kb)
Lesson 6: How MUCH Force Is Needed to Make an Object Stick? Students will: • Explain that a net force of zero or greater is necessary for objects to adhere to a surface (wall or ceiling) • Identify different variables and the constants that affect adhesive forces • Explain how the amount of adhesion changes when the conditions of the surfaces change + Teacher Guide (PDF, 139 Kb) + PowerPoint (PPT, 957 Kb) + Student Journal (Word, 2.3 Mb)
Lesson 7: How Do We Measure Forces at the Nanoscale Level? Students will: • Compare and contrast model probe instruments with those that are used to make measurements of electric and magnetic forces at the nanoscale (AFM, MEMS) • Model how instrument probes can be used to characterize surface interactions • Describe how the topography of a surface relates to adhesion • Interpret graphs of forces at the nanoscale level • Consider the new evidence about surface topography and seta adhesive forces to evaluate remaining methods of gecko adhesion + Teacher Guide (PDF, 364 Kb) + PowerPoint (PPT, 2 Mb) + Atoms PPT (PPT, 807 Kb) + Student Journal (Word, 934 Kb) + NanoLeap into AFM (QT, 150 Kb)
Lesson 8: How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling? Students will: • Describe the attractive forces between and within molecules that cause the gecko to adhere to a vertical surface • Describe how a large number of small forces (van der Waals interactions) at the nanoscale level can add up to macroscopic forces • Describe how a gecko can adhere to a ceiling by drawing on learning experiences throughout module + Teacher Guide (PDF, 270 Kb) + PowerPoint (PPT, 878 Kb) + Student Journal (Word, 359 Kb) + Peer Review Checklist (Word, 154 Kb) + Hot Spots + Charge Simulator

CREDITS:

Principal Investigators:
John Ristvey, McREL
Christine Morrow, SMART Bridges

Developers:
John Ristvey, McREL
Christine Morrow, SMART Bridges
Deb Aruca, McREL
Dr. Marni Goldman, Stanford University
Dr. Beth Rajan-Sockman, Inspired   Instruction

Content Specialist/Remote Access:
Dr. Mike Deal, Stanford University

Reviewers:
Dr. Mike Deal, Stanford University
Professor Fred Goldberg, San Diego
  State University
Dr. Marni Goldman, Stanford University
Professor Daniel Schwartz, University of   Colorado, Boulder

Assessment:
Dr. Beth Rajan-Sockman, Inspired   Instruction

Evaluators:
Dr. Elisabeth Palmer, ASPEN Associates

NanoLeap A Team Teachers and
Co-Developers:
Sonia Ellsworth, Century HS, MN,
Chris Nichols, Castleview HS, CO
Frank Nosal, Eaglecrest HS, CO
Tom Vix, Rushford-Peterson HS, MN
John Olson, St. Paul Public Schools, MN
Sally Heise, District 11, CO
Shannon Strong, Sterling HS, CO

Field Test Teachers:
Lisa Allen, Thomas Anderson, Georgia Bennett, Penny Blue, Derick Budke, Jessica Greenfield, Becky Haack, Emily Haag, Robin Henderson, Megan Inslee, Elizabeth Niklewicz, Robin Peterman, Joseph Price, Amy Schumacher, Joe Shellhammer, Barry Siegwart, Roger Spears, Cheri Tajchman, Maria Torres

Layout:
Lisa Maxfield, McREL

Graphics/Multimedia:
Judy Counley, McREL