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Hi Glen,

If you're not familiar with it, I suggest poking around the Nanoscale
Informal Science Education Network (NISENet) website:
http://www.nisenet.org

My personal favorites are things that drive home the idea of surface
area ratio as a function of size. There are a host of these that don't
go to the nanoscale, but illustrate the concept. For instance, if you
have a pile of flour, it won't ignite even if you heat it with a propane
torch. If you make an aerosol suspension of the flour, you can get the
cloud of flour to ignite into a fireball. Is it nano? Not really, the
particles aren't that small. Does it illustrate surface area and
reactivity? Yes, which is why I like it (or the corresponding isopropyl
alcohol burning in a crucible versus flammable cloud demonstration) as a
hook to talk about surface area and reactivity. 

What's the age range you're shooting for, or ideas you're trying to get
across? Are you looking for facilitated activities, programs, or
stand-alone interactive exhibits? Feel free to e-mail me (or the
international hub coordinator for NISE Net) if you want to talk more.

LUKE 'DOC' DONEV, PH.D.
Educator - Applied Science Lead | Museum of Nature & Science
p 972.201.0615 | [log in to unmask]  

-----Original Message-----

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What are your favorite nanotech interactives? 

Thanks!
Glen
Science Centre
Wollongong
Australia
[log in to unmask]
Sent via BlackBerry(r) from Telstra

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