Nanotechnology pertains to extremely small entities. Nano Art focuses on exploring and highlighting the aesthetic appeal of structures, both natural and synthetic, that are sized in nanometers. Learn about both in this mini spark.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Full STEAM Ahead recording page: #2: Nano Details of our World

2. Look over this chart as a reminder of what the measurement prefixes mean.  Record the prefixes for the smallest 4 on your recording sheet. Also record the symbols for these smaller measurements.   

A micrometer symbol is μm.   A nanometer symbol is nm. A picometer symbol is pm and a femtometer symbol is fm. 

3. Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. Visit this site and record the details on your recording page. Zoom in so you can also see the information on the visual.

3. Watch this video and find out about nanotechnology. On your recording sheet, make a list of 10 examples from the video.

4. Learn about nano-art at this site. Scroll through the gallery. On your recording page,  write about your favorite images.  Notice the symbols on each of the images. Some of them are micrometers and some are nanometers.

5. At the bottom of the site there are two paragraphs. What is nanoart? and How small is a nanometer? Read each one and record details on your recording page.

6. Share your Full STEAM Ahead recording page  with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Science Mini Spark Nanotechnology

Check out the Lesson on Nanotechnology Badge at the EY website

Artist Theo Jansen demonstrates the amazingly lifelike kinetic sculptures he builds from plastic tubes and lemonade bottles.  His creatures are designed to move – and even survive – on their own.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language Full STEAM Ahead recording page: #1: Strandbeests

2. Read this quote from Theo Jansen. “Every spring I go to the beach with a new beast. During the summer I do all kinds of experiments with the wind, sand and water. In the fall I grew a bit wiser about how these beasts can survive the circumstances on the beach. At that point I declare them extinct and they go to the bone yard.”

3. On your recording page, write about what you think a Strandbeest is like.

3. Watch this video. and gather more information.

4. Set your timer for 3 minutes. On your recording page explain a Strandbeest to someone who has not seen one before.

5.  Watch this TED talk: Theo Jansen: My creations, a new form of life. On your recording page record 5 takeaways from the talk.

6. Visit Theo Jansen’s website.  Click on “Strandbeest” and then “Genealogy” in the menu to explore the photo gallery. In detail, choose one of the structures to describe on your recording page.

7. Write about what you you learned.  How does what Mr. Jansen create relate to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)?

8. Share your Full STEAM Ahead recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.