NAN TECHN LOGY
lesson plan for grade 6 - forestry nano superheros
6
Science Teachers,
This lesson plan was designed for grade 6 and meets Alberta Education curriculum learning outcomes for science (see
the following page for program of studies reference). The plans are easy to understand and implement without any
specialized training, additional work or study. Best of all, they make this interesting subject matter engaging to teach.
The lesson plans were focus tested in seven schools throughout Alberta, incorporating teacher’s feedback,
and received great reviews. These plans provide the tools necessary to guide students through interactive
experiences with nanotechnology that will help them understand this aspect of science. Included in the lesson
plans are:
• a short explanation on what is nanotechnology,
• an activity description,
Did You Know?
• time requirements,
• materials,
• an assessment rubric, and
The University of Alberta,
• an in-depth teacher’s background for reference.
the University of Calgary,
and the Northern Alberta
Each lesson was designed in a way that allows you to quickly adapt it to
Institute of Technology
your specific class needs and/or level of knowledge. If you wish to go deeper
all offer nanotechnology
into the material, you can use the links provided under References or
programs to train the next
Bibliography. These lesson plans are complemented by a Nano Resource
generation of curious and
DVD for additional resources such as comic strips, videos, photos and more
bright minds.
information related to teaching and understanding nanotechnology. These
resources are also available for downloading at nanolessonplans.alberta.ca.
As you can see, the subject of nanotechnology is rich with opportunities for
learning. We hope you will find the lesson plans worth implementing and include this fascinating area of science in
your science program for the year.
If you require more information on additional nanotechnology learning experiences, or have any questions about
the information provided, please contact nanoAlberta at 780-450-5111 or email [email protected]. For
grades 7 to 12 check out our travelling Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) program and book it for your school
today. This free program supplies the Microscope for a week and an Alberta certified science teacher will come and
work with you and your class or school. A great complement to the nano lesson plans.
Visit nanolessonplans.alberta.ca for more information on the SEM program.
ISBN 978-0-7785-9665-3 (print)
ISBN 978-0-7785-9666-0 (online)
1. Lesson planning – Alberta – Outlines, syllabi, etc.
2. Nanotechnology – Alberta –Curricula. I. Alberta. Alberta Advanced Education and Technology. II. Alberta Innovates –Technology Futures.
LB1027.4 N186 2011 371.3028
© 2011 Government of Alberta and Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures
These lesson plans are available to view
online and can be downloaded free at
nanolessonplans.alberta.ca
Limited additional copies are available for
ordering from the Learning Resource Centre
at lrc.education.gov.ab.ca
For information, including reproduction
for commercial purposes, please contact:
Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures
nanoAlberta
Phone: 780-450-5111
Email: [email protected]
Users may reproduce these materials without
further permission solely for educational and
non-commercial purposes. However, Crown
copyright is to be acknowledged. All other rights
reserved.
This material may contain or reference
publications subject to copyright held by third
parties (“third party material”), identified with a
credit to the source.
This does not grant the user a license or right
to reproduce the third party material. Users who
wish to reproduce any third party material in this
publication must seek permission directly from
that third party.
This information was accurate, to the best or
our knowledge, at the time of printing. Science
technology and education information are
subject to change, and you are encouraged to
check our website (nanolessonplans.alberta.ca)
for updated lesson plans, additional resources
and sources.
PROGRAM OF STUDIES REFERENCE:
Grade 6 Science – Trees and Forests
SLE
• Identify human uses of forests, and
compare modern and historical patterns
of use.
• Identify an issue regarding forest use,
identify different perspectives on that
issue, and identify actions that might be
taken.
Skills
• Identify sources of information and ideas
and demonstrate skill in accessing them.
Sources may include library, classroom,
community, and computer-based
resources.
• Identify possible applications of what was
learned.
• Identify new questions that arise from what was learned.
Attitudes
• Communication and Teamwork
• Collaboration
Check out these other great
Nanotechnology Lesson Plans
Nanotechnology: Lesson Plan for Grade 4 Science
Slippery Leaves
Nanotechnology: Lesson Plan for Grade 5 Science
Small is Different–Classroom Chemistry
Nanotechnology: Lesson Plan for Grade 7 Science
Nanotechnology and the Environment – Smart Dust
Nanotechnology: Lesson Plan for Grade 8 Science
Nanovision–Light and Optical Systems
Nanotechnology: Lesson Plan for Grade 9 Science
Carbon’s Nanocaper–Matter and Chemical Change
Nanotechnology: Lesson Plan for Science 10
“BRANE” Work–Cycling of Matter in Living Systems
Nanotechnology: Lesson Plan for Chemistry 20
Putting it Together-Self Assembly
–The Diversity of Matter and Chemical Bonding
Nanotechnology: Lesson Plan for Biology 30
Medical Applications of Nanotechnology
–Cell Division, Genetics, and Molecular Biology
Did You Know?
Nanotechnology opens students to a wide variety of occupations in an even wider variety of
industry sectors. Consider that nanotechnology may be encountered and used in some way by:
• Applications Technician
• Bio Material Engineer
• Cancer Researcher
• Characterization Scientist
• Chemical Technologist/Engineer
• Chemist
• Coating Scientist
• Computational Physicist
• Contact Metallization Process Engineer
• Electron Microscopy Technician
• Materials/Nanotechnology Scientist
• Materials/Metallurgical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineering
• Molecular Biologist
• Molecular Imaging Technologists
• Nanobiologist
• Nanoparticle Development Scientist
• Nanotechnology Business Manager
• Nanotechnology Laboratory Technician
• Nanotoxicologist
• Optical Engineer
• Pharmacologist
• Process Quality Engineer
• Product Marketing Manager
• Tissue Engineer
• Wafer Fabrication Development/Process
Engineer
6
R O E S
E
E
H
D
A
R
R
E
G
O S U P
N
A
N
Y
T R
F O R E S
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
This lesson has 3 parts:
Part 1
Students list some human
uses of forests and some
of the issues in forestry and
forest products, such as
pest control, waste water
remediation, wood product
preservation/strengthening.
2
Part 2
They are introduced to
nanotechnology as a
science, discovering how
big a nanometre is and what
differences materials can
exhibit at the nanoscale.
Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
Part 3
Nanotechnology applications
or advances (Nano
Superheroes) that improve
old ways of dealing with
these forestry issues are
discussed. Students report
their findings in a suggested
format, showing the Nano
Superhero in action (i.e.
describe the nanoparticle
or nanofibre and what issue
they address, as well as how
the Nano Superhero works
to tackle it—what are his/her
superpowers?).
nanolessonplans.alberta.ca
TIME REQUIRED
Part 1: Human uses and issues (20 minutes)
Part 2: Nanotechnology (15 minutes)
Part 3: Nanotechnology applications research (40 minutes in class,
followed by homework time for presentations. Another class
is required if you want them to present their work to the class).
MATERIALS
• student information sheets for Nano Superhero
technologies
• poster board materials or access to electronic
presentation tools
• access to internet sources
Teacher background
Adapted from the following sources:
The Lotus Leaf Effect program (developed for the NISE Network
with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award
Number 0532536).
http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/programs/lotus-leaf-effect
GLOSSARY
• nanotechnology
• nanoparticle
• nanocoating
• nanofibres
• nano whiskers
• nanometre
• cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) or
nanocrystalline
cellulose (NCC)
“Nanotechnology – Canada’s Forests”
http://canadaforests.nrcan.gc.ca/article/nanotechnology
Grade 6
Forestry Nano Superheros
3
NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nano is the scientific term
meaning one-billionth
(1/1,000,000,000). It comes
from the Greek word meaning
“dwarf”.
A nanometre is one onebillionth of a metre. One
centimetre equals 10 million
nanometres (nm). A sheet of
paper is about 100,000 nm
thick. A human hair measures
roughly 50,000-100,000 nm
across. A fingernail grows at a
rate of one nm per second.
Nanoscale refers to
measurements of 1-100 nm.
A virus is about 70 nm long. A
cell membrane is about 9 nm
thick. Ten hydrogen atoms are
about 1 nm.
At the nanoscale, unusual
properties show up in many
common materials. These
properties can include
remarkably lower resistance
to electricity and faster
chemical reactions. The
same element (i.e. gold) can
also exhibit different colours,
depending upon the particle
size.
Nanotechnology is the
manipulation of material at the
nanoscale to take advantage
of these unusual properties.
In nanotechnology, this
often means manipulation of
individual molecules.
Most of the information for
this lesson comes from a
Canadian Forest Services
report. The report is written
in relatively teacher-friendly
language and will be useful
if a teacher wants to learn
a bit more about these
technologies.
It is summarized here
http://canadaforests.nrcan.
gc.ca/article/nanotechnology.
Technology focuses on
developing solutions that
involve devices and systems
that meet a given need within
the constraints of the problem.
CLASS PREPARATION - PART 1
Introduction: Forest product issues
Students work in pairs to make lists of the kinds of products humans
get from forests, such as lumber for fences and decks. This can lead to a
discussion of the kinds of features the lumber needs, such as resistance
to pests and sun or moisture damage. Some of the environmental issues
involved in producing these products—waste water from processing and
chemicals used to treat wood products—should also be discussed.
4
Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
nanolessonplans.alberta.ca
Introduction to nanotechnology
Students begin with an introduction to nanoscale by completing
a paper cutting exercise that will help them get a feel for its size
(see Student Sheet “How Small is a Nanometre Anyway?”).
Another possibility is to show the Science Alberta Foundation
video “Do You Know What Nano Means?”
http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/do-you-know-what-nano-means
The video can also be viewed from the Nano Resources DVD or
can be downloaded at nanolessonplans.alberta.ca.
Forestry Nano Superheroes
Tell students that nanotechnology is a new science that can help with some of
these forestry issues. Have each pair choose a nano application to research.
Hand out appropriate fact sheets. Each pair works together to do the research
and produce the final presentation in one of the following forms:
• PowerPoint
• flash animation
• cartoon
• podcast
• story board
• Facebook profile
• skit
• blog post
• web page
• YouTube video
• poster
• any other way your teacher approves
ASSESSMENT
Rubrics for assessing several of the suggested options can be found here:
Student web page/multimedia project
www.nald.ca/library/learning/btg/ed/evaluation/multimedia.htm
Poster rubric
http://teacherweb.com/ME/JALeonardMiddleSchoolOldTown/Ecologywebquest/page3.htm
PowerPoint
http://www.ithaca.edu/jwiggles/computers/ppt1_rubrics.htm
Grade 6
Forestry Nano Superheros
5
RESOURCES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Using podcasts in the classroom:
www.suite101.com/content/creative-ways-to-use-podcasts-in-the-classroom-a271334
1. “Nanotechnology – Canada’s Forests.” Natural Resources Canada.
3 March 2011. Web. 7 April 2011.
http://canadaforests.nrcan.gc.ca/article/nanotechnology
2. McCrank, J. Nanotechnology Applications in the Forest Sector. Ottawa: Natural
Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Headquarters, Science and Programs
Branch, 2009.
3. “Do You Know What Nano Means?” Wonderville. Science Alberta. 22 December 2010.
Online Video. 7 April 2011.
www.wonderville.ca/asset/do-you-know-what-nano-means
4. LaCombe-Burby. “Making A Poster: Poster Rubric.” Ecology WebQuest TeacherWeb.
28 July 2003. Web. April 7, 2011.
http://teacherweb.com/ME/JALeonardMiddleSchoolOldTown/Ecologywebquest/page3.htm
5. Wigglesworth, Janet. “Evaluations Rubrics for Power Point Presentation # 1.” Ithaca
College. January 2003. Web. 7 April 2011.
http://www.ithaca.edu/jwiggles/computers/ppt1_rubrics.htm
6. Wetzel, David. “Creative Ways to use Podcasts in the Classroom.” Suite101.
7 August 2010. Web. 7 April 2011.
www.suite101.com/content/creative-ways-to-use-podcasts-in-the-classroom-a271334
7. “Nanometer Ruler.” Nanozone. Lawrence Hall of Science. n.d. Web. 7 April 2011.
http://nanozone.org/nanoruler.pdf
8. Cheng, Qingzheng and Wang, Jingxin. “Green Nanocomposites Reinforced
with Cellulosic Crystals Isolated from Juvenile Poplar.” West Virginia
University. n.d. Web. 7 April 2011.
http://www.swst.org/meetings/AM10/pdfs/NT-6%20Wang%20paper.pdf
9. “Yaman Boluk, PhD.” University of Alberta. n.d. Web. 7 April 2011.
www.civil.engineering.ualberta.ca/en/Research/ResearchAreas/Materials/YamanBoluk.aspx
10. Oram, Brian. “Total Phosphorus and Phosphate Impact on Surface Waters.”
B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. n.d. Web. 7 April 2011.
http://www.water-research.net/phosphate.htm
6
Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
nanolessonplans.alberta.ca
STUDENT SHEET 1
Nanotechnology Basics
How small is a nanometre?
• Trace around your 30 cm ruler and cut out the tracing.
• Cut the tracing in half to get a 15 cm piece.
1. A nanometre is one billionth of a metre. It takes 50,000 nanometres to
go across a human hair. Predict how many more times you will need
to cut the 15 cm piece in half to get a nanometre-sized piece.
Prediction:
2. Keep cutting each half in half as far as you can. How many cuts did you get?
Number of Cuts:
You would have to cut the piece in half 28 times to get to a nanometre!
Grade 6
Forestry Nano Superheros
7
STUDENT SHEET 2
A nano ruler
Make this ruler and measure some things in nanometres
http://nanozone.org/nanoruler.pdf
STUDENT SHEET 3
Nano Superheros
1
Work with a partner and choose a nanotechnology application to research.
2
Read the fact sheet on your application.
3
Choose one of the following ways to present your Superhero:
• PowerPoint
• web page • Facebook profile
• cartoon
• poster
• story board
• flash animation
• YouTube video
• skit
• any other way your teacher approves
4 Create a presentation that describes your Nano Superhero’s work for forests:
a. Name your Superhero.
b. Draw and describe him or her.
c. Describe his or her superpower. Answer the following questions:
i. How does he or she come to the rescue of the forestry industry?
ii. What problem is solved, and how is it better than it used to be?
d. Include two or three questions that might arise
from the use of this Superhero in forests and
suggest some possible answers to those
questions. For example, ”Will there be
health risks from particles small enough
to travel through cell walls?”
8
Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
nanolessonplans.alberta.ca
INFORMATION SHEET 1
Cellulose NanoCrystals (CNCs) or Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC)
Using forests to make plastics stronger and more environmentally-friendly
• plastics are usually made from petroleum products, which are non-renewable
• cellulose is a biopolymer (a useful chemical made up of many similar building
blocks joined together)
• cellulose is the most plentiful biopolymer in the world
• cellulose makes up a large part of the cells of trees
• Cellulose NanoCrystals (CNCs) come from the cellulose in tree cells
• CNCs can also be produced from the papermaking process
• CNCs are very tiny particles (10 nms wide by 150 nm long)
• CNCs are organic, less expensive than other nonrenewable fibres, and lightweight
• advantages of CNCs
♦ made from renewable resources
♦ biodegradable
♦ not made from petroleum
♦ could have lower environmental and animal/human health risks
♦ with density taken into account, they’re about 50-60 times stronger than steel
♦ lightweight
• can be woven into mats and added to plastic products to make them stronger
• can be used instead of more expensive non-renewable materials, such as
ceramic or metal
• can be used to build the materials that make cars and planes
Source
Nanotechnology applications in the forest sector
http://canadaforests.nrcan.gc.ca/article/nanotechnology
http://www.swst.org/meetings/AM10/pdfs/NT-6%20Wang%20paper.pdf
Alberta researchers studying CNCs
http://www.civil.engineering.ualberta.ca/en/Research/ResearchAreas/Materials/YamanBoluk.aspx
Alberta CNC Pilot Plant
http://www.canadaviews.ca/2011/07/05/new-facility-to-produce-wonder-material-from-forests-andfarms/
Grade 6
Forestry Nano Superheros
9
INFORMATION SHEET 2
Nanoparticles
Some problems with protecting wood from pests:
• insects, bacteria and fungi cause a lot of damage to lumber
• older wood protection products contained harmful chemicals like
chromium and arsenic, which are dangerous to humans and the
environment
• biocide=any product that kills bacteria, insects, or fungi
• newer, more organic, protection products (biocides) cause irritation to
human skin
Nanotechnology to the rescue! Biocides can be put into nanoparticles and then injected into
the wood (pressure-treated lumber).
Why use nanoparticles?
• nanoparticles are very small (copper nanoparticles are 150-250 nm.
250 nanoparticles would fit across a human hair)
• nanoparticles penetrate wood better because they’re so small
• biocides are put into the nanoparticles, added to water, and then
injected into wood during the normal pressure-treating process
• nanoparticles also help stop the biocides from leaking out into the
environment by storing them and letting them out at a controlled rate
• these nanoparticles are used to treat plywood, particleboard, and
fibreboard
• nanoparticles can also contain chemicals that protect wood against
fire and sun damage, or for colouring the wood
Source:
Nanotechnology applications in the forest sector
http://canadaforests.nrcan.gc.ca/article/nanotechnology
10
Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
nanolessonplans.alberta.ca
INFORMATION SHEET 3
Lignocellulose nanofibrils
Using nanofibrils to clean up water pollution
What is phosphate?
• phosphate is a chemical that pollutes water and can cause lakes to
die from lack of oxygen and sunlight
• two common sources of phosphate pollution are lawn fertilizer and
dishwashing detergent
• phosphates go into the wastewater system and then can get into
lakes through the groundwater
• phosphate acts as a fertilizer—too much of it causes aquatic plants
like algae to grow and choke out other plants, blocking out sunlight
and destroying lakes
• present methods of removing phosphate from water are not very
efficient
Nanotechnology to the rescue! Nanofibrils from tree cellulose can be added
to phosphate filters to make them more efficient than the most efficient
methods now being used.
Why do nanofibrils work so well?
• nanofibrils are more efficient because the increased surface area
of tiny nanoparticles makes them more reactive—therefore, less
material is needed to get the job done
• these nanofibrils come from wood fibre, and are renewable
• the forestry industry could become a major supplier of the
lignocellulose for nanofibrils
• economic studies suggest that nanofibril-based filters are
inexpensive to produce
Sources:
http://canadaforests.nrcan.gc.ca/article/nanotechnology
http://www.water-research.net/phosphate.htm
Grade 6
Forestry Nano Superheros
11
�
NOTES:
WHAT YOU’LL FIND HERE
Nano is... the scientific term meaning one-billionth
(1/1,000,000,000). It comes from the Greek word meaning “dwarf”.
Nano Science is... the discovery,
research and understanding of all things nano.
Nanotechnology is...
the application of science at the molecular level.
Nanotechnology
is revolutionizing medicine, energy production,
environmental protection, bioindustries and more!