Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals

Overview
Standards
Resources
Comments

Overview

Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals

Description:

In this activity, museum visitors will be exposed to the term ‘Photonic Crystals’. They will see and explore some of the well-known photonic crystals in nature and will also be able observe one method that scientists use in trying to replicate this process.

Objectives

Big Idea:

Behavior of light at the nanoscale is different from the macro scale. Visitors will be able to look at how nature produces shimmering iridescent colors using nanostructures. They will be able to understand and appreciate the applications of this process by making an artificial opal.

Learning goals:

Understand that color is produced due to interaction of matter and light
Structural color is different from pigment based color
Behavior of light at the nanoscale is dependent on the size of the structures it is interacting with

NISE Net Content Map:

Nanometer-sized things are very small, and often behave differently than larger things do.

Scientists and engineers have formed the interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology by investigating properties and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.

Nanoscience, nanotechnology, and nanoengineering lead to new knowledge and innovations that weren't possible before.

Universal design:

Repeat and reinforce main ideas and concepts.

Provide multiple entry points and multiple ways of engagement

Provide physical and sensory access to all aspects of the program. Visitors can touch, see and hear different elements of the program.

Credits

Developed for the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers 0532536 and 0940143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

Owning institution:

Lawrence Hall of Science

Checklist

Scientist reviewed? check_reviewed

Peer reviewed? check_reviewed

Visitor evaluation? check_reviewed

Permissions

Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike

Standards

History and nature of science:

5-8: Nature of science

9-12: Nature of scientific knowledge

Physical science:

K-4: Light, heat, electricity, and magnetism

K-4: Properties of objects and materials

5-8: Properties and changes of properties in matter

9-12: Interactions of energy and matter

9-12: Structure and properties of matter

9-12: Structure of atoms

Science as inquiry:

K-4: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

5-8: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

9-12: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

K-4: Types of resources

5-8: Science and technology in society

9-12: Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges

Resources

Download all files (ZIP)

Files:

butterflies_beetels_and_opals_guide.pdf

SEM of Beetles: Credit Prof. Michael Bartl

Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals

Overview

Description:

Big Idea:

Learning goals:

NISE Net Content Map:

Universal design:

Owning institution:

Checklist

Adaptable Formats

Nano Topics

Audience

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Permissions

Standards

History and nature of science:

Physical science:

Science as inquiry:

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

Resources

Download all files (ZIP)

Files:

Comments

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