NanoDay at Cornell: Student Workshops

March 30, 2008

11:00am - 5:00pm

Duffield Hall, Cornell University

Student Workshops for Middle School and High School Students

Students in grades 6-12 are invited to participate in laboratory experiences designed to expose them to various aspects of nanotechnology research. Students will become acquainted with the tools and methods used by nanotechnologists to research inorganic and biological materials.

Pre-registration is highly suggested and a permission slip is required.

The following are descriptions for the three available workshops. Two options are available for students in grades 6-8, and three options are available for students in grades 9-12. Students rank preferred timeslots when pre-registering.

Thin Layer Chromatography

For: Grades 6 - 12

Times: 11:30am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-2:30pm, and 3pm - 4:00pm

Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) is a technique used for the separation of substances into its components. This technique involves the use of a stationary phase and a mobile phase. Biochemists find chromatography extremely valuable. It can be used to figure which ingredients are in a flavor or scent, analyze various components in pollutants and to find traces of drugs in urine. It is also used to separate blood proteins in various species of animals. In this workshop, you will learn how to extract pigments from plants and vegetables and run your own TLC to determine what types of chlorophyll and carotenoids are present in each plant pigment extraction.

Microfluidics

For: Grades 6 - 12

Times: Grades 6-8 at 11:30am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-2:30pm

Grades 9-12 at 3pm - 4:00pm

Ever wonder what happens when you try to squeeze bacteria into a channel that is no taller than 75 microns? Nanobiotechnology is an emerging area of scientific and technological opportunity which applies the tools and processes of nano-microfabrication to build devices for studying biosystems. In this workshop, staff from the Nanobiotechnology Center at Cornell University will take you through the aspects of manufacturing and testing a microfluidics device as you explore some of the fluid dynamics phenomena scientists encounter when they manufacture a microfluidic device at the micro-nano scale.

Atomic Force Microscopy

For: Grades 9-12

Times: 11:30am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-2:30pm

Topographic imaging at the molecular level involves an indirect mapping of the surface of a material with a probe that follows the shape of the surface. In this activity, each team of students will use a simulated topographic scanner with a platform mounted laser probe to attempt to discern the structure of an unknown block of Legos built by another team. At the conclusion of this activity, students will be asked to apply the knowledge gained to develop an understanding of the atomic force microscope.

Click here to pre-register for a Middle School or High School Workshop

This material is based upon work supported in part by the STC Program of the National Science Foundation under Agreement No. ECS-9876771. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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