Published on NISE Network (http://www.nisenet.org)

Home > Catalog > Nanotech and Consumer Products

Nanotech and Consumer Products

[1] : Stage presentation [2]

Nanotech and Consumer Products

Download all files (zip) [3]  

Overview
Nanotech and Consumer Products
David Sittenfeld [4]
NISE Network product
image/jpeg icon20110601-0081-m.jpg [5]
image/jpeg iconpants.jpg [6]

Description: 

“Nanotech and Consumer Products” is a public presentation that introduces audiences to the growing role of nanotechnology in making consumer products, and encourages them to consider the potential environmental and health risks. During the presentation, visitors are guided through questions such as: What is nanotechnology, why does it matter, and where is it happening? How are nanomaterials being used in a growing number of consumer products that are available on the market today? What is known about the long-term environmental and health risks of nanotechnology, and how might the increased use of consumer products that are made through nanotechnology affect the environment? What might be done to address potential environmental and health concerns from nanotechnology, given the lack of a formal regulatory structure for consumer products in the United States?
Objectives

Big Idea: 

Nanotechnology is improving the production and performance of many products in the consumer market, but the long-term health and environmental implications of the use of nanotechnology in making these kinds of products is still unclear.

Learning goals: 

  • As a result of participating in this program, visitors will be able to:
  • 1. Communicate some of the potential properties that are improved or enabled through nanotechnology, such as strength, stain resistance, surface area, and antimicrobial properties.
  • 2. Understand that small particles of a material will often react more rapidly than large particles because of their large surface area
  • 3. Convey some potential health and environmental concerns around the large-scale use of nanotechnology.
  • 4. Understand that consumer products that are made through nanotechnology present both potential benefits for people and potential risks for the environment.
  • 5. Describe some potential risks and benefits from the use of consumer products that are made through nanotechnology in both individual and societal contexts.

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.
  • Nanotechnologies have costs, risks, and benefits that affect our lives in ways we cannot always predict.

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:

Museum of Science, Boston [7]

Checklist

Scientist reviewed? check_reviewed
Peer reviewed? check_reviewed
Visitor evaluation? check_reviewed

Adaptable Formats

Cart demonstration [8]
Classroom activity [9]
Facilitated activity [10]
Stage presentation [2]

Nano Topics

[11], [12], [13]

Audience

[14]

Tags

[15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21]

Permissions

Creative Commons license image [22]
Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike

Catalog section: 

Programs

What kind of program?: 

Stage presentation

Adaptable formats: 

Cart demonstration
Classroom activity
Facilitated activity
Stage presentation

Nano topics: 

Energy and environment
Materials, tools, and applications
Society, policy, and economics

Audience: 

7 and up

Content keywords: 

consumer
consumer products
surface area
decision-making
environmental health and safety
Nanosilver
antibacterial

Highlight this product during NanoDays?: 

0

K-12: 

0
Standards

Science and Technology: 

K-4: Abilities of technological design
K-4: Abilities to distinguish between natural objects and objects made by humans
K-4: Understanding about science and technology
5-8: Abilities of technological design
5-8: Understanding about science and technology
9-12: Abilities of technological design
9-12: Understanding about science and technology

History and nature of science: 

K-4: Science as a human endeavor
5-8: History of science
5-8: Nature of science
5-8: Science as a human endeavor
9-12: Historical perspectives
9-12: Nature of scientific knowledge
9-12: Science as a human endeavor

Physical science: 

K-4: Properties of objects and materials
5-8: Properties and changes of properties in matter
9-12: Chemical reactions
9-12: Structure and properties of matter

Life science: 

K-4: Life cycles of organisms
K-4: Organisms and environments
5-8: Diversity and adaptations of organisms
5-8: Populations and ecosystems
9-12: Biological evolution
9-12: Interdependence of organisms

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: 

K-4: Changes in environments
K-4: Personal health
K-4: Science and technology in local challenges
5-8: Personal health
5-8: Populations, resources, and environments
5-8: Risks and benefits
5-8: Science and technology in society
9-12: Environmental quality
9-12: Natural and human-induced hazards
9-12: Personal and community health
9-12: Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges
Resources
Download zip file [3]

Download all files (ZIP) [3]

Files: 

application/msword iconconsumerproducts_lessonplands.doc [23]
application/vnd.ms-powerpoint iconconsumerproductsfornisenet_final.ppt [24]
Comments
Source URL: http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/programs/nanotech_consumer_products

Links:
[1] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/programs
[2] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/programs/stage_presentation
[3] http://www.nisenet.org/node/8777/filefield_compress/all
[4] http://www.nisenet.org/users/david_sittenfeld
[5] http://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/images/catalog/8777/20110601-0081-m.jpg
[6] http://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/images/catalog/8777/pants.jpg
[7] http://www.nisenet.org/community/organizations/museum-science-boston
[8] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/programs/cart_demonstration
[9] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/programs/classroom_activity
[10] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/programs/facilitated_activity
[11] http://www.nisenet.org/category/nano-interests/energy-environment
[12] http://www.nisenet.org/category/nano-interests/materials-tools-applications
[13] http://www.nisenet.org/category/nano-interests/society-policy-economics
[14] http://www.nisenet.org/category/audience/7
[15] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/topics/antibacterial
[16] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/topics/nanosilver
[17] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/topics/environmental_health_safety
[18] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/topics/decision-making
[19] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/topics/surface-area
[20] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/topics/consumer_products
[21] http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/topics/consumer
[22] http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/
[23] http://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/uploads/8777/consumerproducts_lessonplands.doc
[24] http://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/uploads/8777/consumerproductsfornisenet_final.ppt