Overview
Description:
This is an update of the original Energy and Nanotechnology stage program. It gives a brief overview of energy sources and our current energy crisis and discusses a variety of ways that nanotechnology can improve the way we harness energy (improving solar cells), distribute energy (carbon nanotube transmission lines) and use energy (nanotech-enhanced LED bulbs). It is primarily a slideshow presentation, designed for medium-to-large audiences. It consists mostly of a lecture, with a few live demonstrations and a few audience interactions.
Checklist
Scientist reviewed
Peer reviewed
Visitor evaluation
Permissions
Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
At the Regional Nano
At the Regional Nano workshop in Philadelphia, our group, including me and four museum educators, viewed this presentation then modified it to present to the workshop participants. Our goal was to make the presentation more participatory and kinesthetic.
Audience members were recruited to play the part of sunshine and CO2 as part of a greenhouse effect demonstration. As the first group to present to the wider workshop audience, the increased audience participation was an effective way to engage the audience after a long day.
On the whole, I think that this presentation is great as it's written here. It's slightly more complex and scientific than some of the other presentations, and I think it will prove to be very useful for presentations to educated but uninformed parties in Washington, DC.
When I presented this to my
When I presented this to my colleagues for review, we were collectively trying the various components. The hand-held generator broke after only three uses, and this was with adults using it. I would recommended finding a more sturdy model if you plan to allow children the opportunity to use the generator, or be prepared to replace it often.
The solar panel piece is a great component. I like the idea of participants having an opportunity to assemble a circuit that utilizes a solar panel as an alternative energy source. So I modified this portion. Participants are provided with a solar panel that has lead wires attached, and an LED. It is a simple assembly, but leads to a great discussion about alternative energy and the need for the improvement of solar cells. This then leads to a discussion about the focus of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Center for Functional Nanomaterials. These scientists are working to improve solar cells by making components of the solar cells, such as catalysts and semi-conductors nano. This entire piece takes about 20 minutes, and has been incorporated into a two hour lesson on nanotechnology.
When I gave this
When I gave this presentation, I added in a little more Intro to Nano stuff. I used the first few slides from the Wonderful World of Carbon Nanotubes.