Resources for Educators (K-16)

Searchable K-16 Curriculum Materials

Search the database of curricular materials by subject area and/or education level. (Listing in table format is provided below.)

Opportunities for Educators at NNCI Sites

Explore a variety of hands-on professional development opportunities for teachers offered by NNCI supported facilities.

NNCI Resources for Virtual Classrooms, Kitchens, Backyards, and Beyond

See the list of resources including videos, online magazines, podcasts, and activities that can be done from home using common items.

Demo Guide and Information Sheets

Look for easy demonstrations to explain nanotechnology concepts during outreach events.

K-12 Reference Sheets

Biology Reference Sheet
Chemistry Reference Sheet
Genetics & Cell Division Reference Sheet
Physical Science Reference Sheet
Physics Reference Sheet

Additional Resources

NNCI Teacher Resource Brochure
Nanooze, a free magazine for kids
Size and Scale Poster
External Nano-Education Resources
SDNI-Hosted NNCI Education Symposium
NNCI brochure Careers in Nano for High School Students

K-16 Curriculum Materials (Searchable Listing)

Lesson Name	Subject Area	Grade Level
Achoo! Pollen Makes US More than Sneeze	General Science; Physical Science; Biology	Middle
A Look into the Nanoworld: An introduction to nanoscale science and engineering	Physical Science	Middle
An Easy (Bake) Approach to an Edible NanoLab	General Science; Physical Science	Middle
Big Ideas in Nanoscale Science and Engineering Posters	Physical Science; Biology, Chemistry, Physics	High and Undergraduate
Big vs. Little – Micro to Nano	General Science	Elementary
Bigger is not always better: Size, Scale, Function, and Measurement Systems	General Science; Physical Science; Chemistry	High
Catalytic converters and Nanocatalysts	Chemistry; Environmental Science	High
CDs and DVDs as Diffraction Gratings	Physical Science; Physics	High
Changing Conductive Properties by Diffusion	Physical Science; Chemistry	Middle and High
Characterizing Electrolytic Materials	Physics	High
Coffee Break with Nanoscience: Film Formation and "Coffee Rings"	Chemistry; Physical Science	High and Undergraduate
Demonstrations for the Materials Science Classroom	Chemistry; Physics; Engineering; Materials Science	High and Undergraduate
Design Challenge: Incorporating Shape Memory Alloys into Rube Goldberg Devices	General Science; Physical Science	Middle and High
Efficiency of Nitinol Wire	Physics	High
Electro-deposition of Copper on a Filter Template for Growing Nanowires	Chemistry	High (AP Chem) and Undergraduate
Electro-deposition: Save the Dinosaurs with Copper, Nickel and Zinc	Chemistry	High
Exploring Factors Effecting Deposition, Morphology, & Thickness of Thin Metallic Layer of Copper	Chemistry; Physical Science	High
Exploring the Powers of Ten	General Science; Physical Science	Upper Elementary and Middle
Exploring nanotechnology through Consumer Products	General Science; Physical Science; Biology, Chemistry, Physics	Middle and High
Exploring the Properties of Magic Sand: Hydrophobic materials	Chemistry; Biology	High
Exploring Surface Energy of Polymers by Contact Angle Estimation	Chemistry	High
Gelatin Microfluicics	Chemistry; Biology	High
Help or Hype: The Ethics of Bio-nanotechnology	Biology; Science & Society	Middle, High and Undergraduate
Hiding Behind the Mask: Understanding Semiconductor Fabrication	Chemistry; Physics	High
How Big is a Nanometer?	Physical Science; General Science	Middle and High
How Catalysts Work: A Nanoscale Phenomenon	Chemistry; Physical science	High
How Dry am I? Exploring Biomimicry and Nanotechnology	Physical science; Biology	Middle
How Small is That?: Understanding the Size of Nanoparticles	General Science; Biology	Middle and High
Ice Cream Break with Nanoscience: Nucleation and Colloid suspensions	Chemistry; Physical Science; General Science	Middle, High, Undergraduate
Introducing LEDs, Thermistors and Transistors: Nanotechnology in Electronics	Physics	High and Undergraduate
Introduction to Nanotechnology Using the Creative Problem Solving Model	General Science	Middle and High
Investigating the History of Biotechnology	Biology	Middle and High
Is measuring an art or a science?: The Importance of Accuracy & Precision on the Nanoscale	General Science; Physical Science; Engineering	High and Undergraduate
Lab on a Slab: A Microfluidics Activity	Biology; Chemistry	High
Learning about surface area and volume	General science	Elementary
Learning Set about Size, Scale, Function and Measurement Systems	General Science; Physical Science	Middle and High
Light Extraction by Changing Composition of Material	Physics	High
Linear Diffusion and Cell Signaling	Biology; Chemistry	High
Lines on Paper: Exploring X-ray Diffraction	Physics	High
Magnetism and Nanotechnology: Exploring Ferrofluids	Physical Science; Physics	Middle and High
Make a Microfluidic Device to Investigate Properties of Solutions	Chemistry	High
Making a Liquid Crystal Thermometer	Physical Science; Chemistry	High
Mixtures and Nanotechnology: Classification of Mixtures and Particle Size	Physical Science; Chemistry	Middle and High
Modeling Nanotechnology Project	General Science; Physical Science; Biology; Physics, Environmental Science; Chemistry	High
Modeling Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM)	Physics	High
Modeling Self Assembly (High School)	General Science; Physical Science; Biology	High
Modeling Self Assembly (middle School)	General Science; Physical Science; Biology	Middle
Multifacted Microfluidics:Three simple methods to create a microfluidics device	Chemistry; Biology	High
Mystery Molecules: Identifying Materials with Nanoscale Characterization Tools	Chemistry; Physical Science;	High
Nanobacteria: Bacteria and Nonobes	Biology	Middle and High
NACK Network Webinar on Nano education resources	General science	Elementary, Middle, High, Undergraduate
Nanofabrication Tools: Etching and thin films	Chemistry	High
Nanomotors: Nanoscale Propulsion	Chemistry; Physics	High
Nanooze and Teaching Middle School STEM	Biology; General Science; Physical Science; Environmental Science; Society; Tools and Technology	Middle
Nanoparticle Pollutants: Can We Absorb These?	Chemistry; Environmental Science	High
Nanoparticles: Land to Ocean - Understanding the Effect of Nanoparticle Pollutants	Biology; Chemistry; Physical Science; Environmental Science	High
Nanotechnology Invention and Design: Phase Changes, Energy, and Crystals	Chemistry	High
Nanotechnology Poster	General science	Elementary, Middle, High, Undergraduate
Nanotechology and Cosmetics	Biology; Chemistry; Science & Society	High
Noodling Around: Powers of Ten	General science	Elementary, Middle, High
Now You See It, Once Filtered, Hope You Don't	Biology; Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physical Science	Middle and High
Diagnostics for All: Teaching relevance in science and engineering to solving societal issues	Biology; General Science; Science & Society	Middle and High
Particle Size & Spectral Analysis of AgNO3 & Cu: Design Challenge	Chemistry	High
Pinch Test: Right Tool for the Right Job	Chemistry; Physical Science	High
Polyaniline Synthesized Conducting Polymer for Applicable Uses as Nanomaterials	Chemistry	High and Undergraduate
Powers of Ten with the Blue Morpho Butterfly	Biology, General Science, Physical Science	Middle and High
Properties of Fluids: Understanding Water Flow	Physical science; Chemistry; Physics	Middle and High
Quantum Dots Real-World Particles in a Box	Physics; Physical Science	Middle and High
Reading and Analyzing Nanotechnology	Biology; Chemistry; Physics; General Science; Physical Science; Science & Society	Middle and High
Refraction of Light: Forensic Lab	Physics	High
Resolving Power - Seeing is Understanding	Biology; Physics	High
Right Tool for the Job: Learning about Tools and their Purpose	General Science	Elementary
Sand and Multiple Light Scattering	Physics	High
Scale Models: Size, Scale & Measurement	General Science; Biology; Mathematics	Elementary, Middle and High
Scanning Probe Microscopy: "feeling" what you can't see at the nanometer scale	General Science; Physical Science	Middle and High
Seeing Nano I: Using scaning electron microscopy (SEM) to view nano-size objects	General Science; Physical Science; Biology	Middle and High
Seeing Nano II: Using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to view nano-size objects	Physical Science; Physics	Middle and High
Shrink Me: A measurement Activity	General Science; Mathematics, Biology	Elementary, Middle, and High
Simulating a Controlled Drug Delivery System	Biology; Chemistry	High
SI System and Nanoscale Science	General Science; Physical Science	Middle and High
Silicon Solar Cell Efficiency: Comparing input power to output power of a silicon photovoltaic cell	Physics	High
Inhibition of Bacteria by Silver Colloid Impregnated Bandages	Biology, Chemistry	High
Creating and Testing Silver Nanoparticle Socks	Biology; Chemistry; Environmental Science	High
Silver nanoparticle synthesis, spectroscopy, and bacterial growth	Chemistry; Physics	High
Size and Scale - Learning about measurement	General Science	Upper Elementary and Middle
Small Scale Stenciling and Sculpting	Physical science, General Science	Middle
Smart Materials-Shape Memory Alloys	Physical Science; Chemistry	Middle and High
The Effects of Colloidal Silver of Microbial Growth: Snake Oil Science	Biology, General Science	High
Solar Ovens-Understanding Energy Transfer	Physical Science	Middle and High
Sometimes we Need Large Numbers to Describe Small Things	General Science	Elementary
Spectrophotometry with Metal Nanoparticles	Chemistry; Physics	High
Surface Area to Volume Ratio of Nanoparticles	Physical Science; Chemistry	Middle and High
Superhydrophobicexpialidocious: Learning about hydrophobic surfaces	General Science; Physical Science	Middle
Supermarket Science:Investigating Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)	Biology	High and Undergraduate
Synthesis and Characterization of CdSe Quantum Dots	Chemistry; Physics	High and Undergraduate
Synthesis and Stability of Silver Nanoparticles	Chemistry	Undergraduate
Taking a Closer Look at Objects: Exploring Scientific Tools	General Science	Elementary and Middle
Teaching Nanotechnology across the Undergraduate STEM Curriculum	Earth Science, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Physics	Undergraduate and High
The Blood Glucose Monitor: Exploring and Modelling Diabetes Monitoring	Chemistry; Biology	High
The Case of the Patent Pending: Paper Diagnostics in Forensics	Biology; General Science	Upper Middle and High
The Effects of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles on Brine Shrimp: A Toxicology Study	Biology; Chemistry; Environmental Science	High and Undergraduate
The Metric System from Big to Small	General Science; Physical Science; Mathematics	Middle and High
The Micro and Macro Worlds: A Size and Scale Lesson	General Science; Physical Science; Biology; Mathematics	Middle and High
The Petnapping of Maya - A Forensic Lesson	General Science	Elementary
The Water Race: Hydrophobic & Hydrophilic Surfaces	Biology; Chemistry	High
To See or not to See?Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Surfaces	Chemistry; Physical Science	Middle and High
Transistor Mania: Learning about transistors	Physics; Physical Science	Middle and High
Turning Fruit Juice into Graphene Quantum Dots	Chemistry; Physics	High and Undergraduate
Uncertainty Measurements and the Wavelength of Light	Physics	High
Understanding Movement of Molecules across the Cell Membrane	Biology	High and Undergraduate
Understanding Nanotechnology Size and Scale	General Science; Mathematics	Elementary
Understanding Wave Motion and Power Loss: Interaction of Light with Matter	Physics; Physical Science	High
Understanding Waveguides: Transmission of Light	Physical Science	Middle and High
Using Gold Nanoparticles for Bacterial Detection	Biology; Chemistry; Physics	High
Using Media to Explore Social and Ethical Issues in Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies	General Science; Science & Society	High
Using Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles to Kill Antibiotic Resistant E. coli	Chemistry; Biology; Biotechnology	High and Undergraduate
Using Modeling to Demonstrate Self-Assembly in Nanotechnology	Physical Science; Chemistry	High
Visualizing Diffusion in Real Time and on a Macroscale	Chemistry; Biology	High
Water Filtration and Purity of Water - Getting Down to the Nanoscale	Physical Science; Chemistry; Biology; Environmental Science	Middle and High
Wet Etching in Nanofabrication	Physical Science	Middle
What's In Your Neighborhood? A size and scale activity	Physical Science; Biology; Mathematics; General Science	Elementary, Middle, High
What's the smallest thing you know?: A size and scale activity	General Science	Elementary
When a Cell Talks, everyone listens!	Biology;	High