These NanoSense Teacher Materials been designed to help teachers help high school students understand science concepts that account for nanoscale phenomena, and the principles, applications, and implications of nanoscale science.

Through a scavenger hunt, students are introduced to the world of nanotechnology. In the form of a competition, groups race to locate symbols that correlate to an answer to a general nanotechnology question. Each team receives paper slips with questions; the remaining questions are hidden behind QR codes. Groups need to answer eight total questions in the correct order. Because this is an intro to nanotechnology and its associated engineering, students need to use problem-solving skills in order to identify the correct answers. After the initial scavenger hunt, a brief class discussion explores advances in nanotechnology. Next, students work in teams to research different areas of nanotechnology as they create their own scavenger hunt games.

In this video adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, find out about the discovery of a new building material, the carbon nanotube, whose physical properties could theoretically enable the creation of a 22,000-mile elevator to space.

In this video adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, find out about the discovery of a new building material, the carbon nanotube, whose physical properties could theoretically enable the creation of a 22,000-mile elevator to space. [4:29]

Several lesson plans available for grades K-8 that take a look at math and art. Each lesson includes printable resources, glossary of terms, an artist biography, and national math and visual arts standards.

Provides a clear definition of an insertion sort with links to a Java implementation and other demonstrations.

This article provides background information related to natural resources of the poles, and renewable and non-renewable energy.

Explore the sounds of nature and how they connect with music. Investigates what purpose music serves through nature and what it means.

Students use miniature explosives to analyze actions and reactions. An Alka-seltzer tablet is sealed in a small film canister with water which sets up a pressure explosion pushing the canister one direction and an adjacent film canister in the opposite direction. Students repeat this set up but vary the mass of the second canister by adding sand. The distances that each canister travels is measured, recorded and later analyzed and discussed.

This activity is a field investigation where students design and test a gravity ball launcher, record their observations, and share their findings in the large group setting.

This video segment adapted from FRONTLINE looks at nuclear fission as an energy source that can be used to generate electricity.

In this lesson, students explore the "Discovery" phase of entrepreneurship by reading about an ocean cleanup company that recycles plastic and turns it into sunglasses. Then, students apply this entrepreneurial knowledge to a problem that the main characters encounter in the book “Plastic, Ahoy!” by Patricia Newman or from a video interview with the scientists.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.

In this lesson, students explore the concept of biomagnification by watching a video about how chemical leeching from ocean plastic affects ocean life, health, and business, and then creating a flowchart or other visual to represent the process of biomagnification.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.

Focus on Octavia Butler's interview with Charlie Rose on June 1, 2000 and a few of her quotes. The lesson aims to engage students in a discussion of Octavia Butler's views on science fiction and the use of figurative language. It explores the relevance of Octavia Butler's quotes to science fiction and love. The students are divided into small groups to analyze one of five quotes and its relevance to science fiction and love. The lesson concludes with a design challenge for students to create a Valentine's Day card inspired by Octavia Butler, interpreting the relationship between science fiction and love. The students have 20 minutes of work time and the option to publish their cards.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Internet Connectivity, Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone, Tablet, Tablet or Smartphone.

The lesson begins by introducing Olympics as the unit theme. The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the techniques of engineering problem solving. Specific techniques covered in the lesson include brainstorming and the engineering design process. The importance of thinking out of the box is also stressed to show that while some tasks seem impossible, they can be done. This introduction includes a discussion of the engineering required to build grand, often complex, Olympic event centers.

Students use three tracks marked on the floor, one in yards, one in feet and one in inches. As they start and stop a robot specific distances on a "runway," they can easily determine the equivalent measurements in other units by looking at the nearby tracks. With this visual and physical representation of the magnitude of the units of feet, yard and inches, students gain an understanding of what is meant by "unit conversion." They also gain a familiarity with different common units of measurement. They use multiplication and division to verify their physical estimated unit conversions. Students also learn about how common and helpful it is to convert from one unit to another in everyday situations and for engineering purposes. This activity helps students make the abstract concept of unit conversion real so they develop mental models of the magnitude of units instead of applying memorized conversion factors by rote.

In this earth science-focused activity, students will investigate habitability factors on Earth and Mars. They will begin by analyzing the factors that make Earth habitable and enjoyable, and they will create an advertisement that promotes its livability to extraterrestrials. They will then apply the results of their analysis as they develop a plan for optimizing the Martian colony while minimizing environmental impact. Finally, they will create a second advertisement that reflects this plan and encourages human travel to Mars.

Estimated time required: 2-3 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone, Tablet.

A site for all users interested in the engineering behind the building. Site engages users in a job that requires them to investigate troubled buildings and then figure out how to fix them.

Explore top selections from the PBS Digital Studios library. This content is edgy and engaging, educational and thought - provoking - designed to grab your students' attention. Explore our collections curated towards design and innovation, social studies, and even popular culture, with many more subjects that highlight the cross-disciplinary, exciting topics that have made Digital Studios such a powerful classroom resource. This collection includes 92 videos.

SciGirls videos feature real girls putting science and engineering to work to answer real-life questions and make discoveries in the world around them. Find videos covering a wide variety of innovative technical inventions.