Self-Assembly in Crystals

Overview
Standards
Resources
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Overview

Description:

In this activity, visitors watch as a crystal self-assembles instantly! During this activity visitors learn what crystals are and how they grow. They also discover that self-assembly is an important process for many naturally occurring systems.

Objectives

Big Idea:

In this activity, visitors learn that crystals are formed from repeating units and that crystal formation is a type of self-assembly. Visitors also discover that behaviors at the atomic and the molecular scales can result in macroscale structures that are visible to the human eye.

Learning goals:

What self-assembly is
What crystals are
That crystal formation is due to the self-assembly of atoms and molecules
That super-saturated solutions can form crystals
That some reactions produce heat (some reactions are exothermic)
That using super-cooled solutions can speed up crystal formation

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.

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

Life science:

5-8: Structure and function in living systems

9-12: Matter, energy, and organization in living systems

Physical science:

K-4: Properties of objects and materials

5-8: Properties and changes of properties in matter

5-8: Transfer of energy

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

Resources

Download all files (ZIP)

Files:

Lesson plan

Checkerboard schematics

Examples of crystals

Temperature graphs

Evaluations

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Self-Assembly in Crystals

Overview

Description:

Big Idea:

Learning goals:

NISE Net Content Map:

Universal design:

Owning institution:

Checklist

Adaptable Formats

Nano Topics

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Standards

Life science:

Physical science:

Science as inquiry:

Resources

Download all files (ZIP)

Files:

Evaluations

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