A lotus leaf showing off its hydrophobic properties. Water is balled up on its surface.

Plants

A collection of NISE Network resources related to plant science including hands-on activities and resources. Topics include include biomimicry technology that can imitate natural phenomena and processes such a self-cleaning surfaces and fabrics inspired by the lotus leaf effect observed in some plant leaves.

Featured Hands-on Activities

Photo of person pouring water on soil and sand to demonstrate erosion

Exploring Earth: Land Cover

In this activity, learners model some of the ways natural processes affect Earth’s landscape through erosion and sediment pollution.
Children exploring Building with Biology DNA activity using pipette

Exploring Structures - DNA

In this activity, learners create a necklace of wheat germ DNA to explore self-assembly
a group of four learners listen to a facilitator as they explain the activity

DNA Nanotechnology

In this activity, learners extract a sample of DNA from split peas and put it in an Eppendorf tube to take home.

Synthetic Biology Programs and Resources

Building with Biology Bio Bistro activity components

Building with Biology: Bio Bistro

In this activity, learners decide what current and future synthetic biology-based food products they would, would not, or might eat.
learners and facilitator extract sample with pipette

Building with Biology: See DNA

In this activity focused on synthetic biology, learners extract visible DNA from wheat germ and create necklaces to display their own sample of wheat germ DNA.
Children using Building with Biology kit of parts activity with colored blocks and cards

Building with Biology Kit

Engaging activities and professional development resources to create conversations about the emerging field of synthetic biology and societal implications.
Should We Edit the Genome title slide

Should We Edit the Genome? forum

Building with Biology public forum where participants discuss CRISPR technology used to precisely edit DNA, and if we should.
Image of a Synthetic Biology handout with illustrations of how DNA can be edited

Building with Biology reference packet graphics

Building with Biology packet of printable reference sheets on the basics of synthetic biology and related fields of study.

Stain Resistant and Hydrophobic Surfaces Inspired by Lotus Leaf Effect in Plants

Exploring Products - Nano Fabrics acitivty components including signs, guides, and mini pants coated with nano materials

Exploring Products - Nano Fabrics

In this activity, learners investigate the hydrophobic properties of pants made from nano fabric and ordinary fabric.
Family engaging with sand, plants, and pants

Sand, Plants and Pants

In this activity, learners explore how the application of nano-sized particles or substances can change a bigger material’s properties.
A lotus leaves in a small, man-made concrete pond.

Zoom into a Lotus Leaf video

In this video, learners get an up close look at the tiny nanostructures that give the leaf its unique superhydrophobic behavior.
A screenshot of the zoom into a nasturtium leaf interactive starting with a nasturtium leaf.

Multimedia Zoom Into a Nasturtium Leaf

This downloadable and online interactive allows learners to travel from the familiar scale of nasturtium leaf to DNA deep within the plant's cell.
A person holding an ice cream cone with the text "NANO: I've never had that problem."

Nano and Me Videos

In these short videos, learners are introduced to simple fundamentals about the nanoscale; topics include the differences between macro and nano silver, gold, aluminum, latex, gravity, and stain free pants.
The supervillain Dr. Blot dressed in a crazy costume

I Got No Stains on Me

In this O Wow Moments video, Mr. O explores how nanotechnology is used to create clothes that are stain resistant.
Facilitator showing learners the lotus leaf effect

Lotus Leaf Effect

In this activity, learners explore how some leaves are self cleaning and repel water due to their nanoscale features.
Teen girl with braces in a pink shirt holds a large kale leaf

What’s Nano About Toilets?

In this 30-second video, viewers quickly learn how nanocoatings inspired by nature can keep things clean.
What is nano about museum labels thumbnails of signs featuring signs of hot-chocolate, hamburger, glass of water, a window, and a toilet

Nano Museum Labels (Graphic Signs)

These museum graphic labels highlight everyday connections to nanoscale science including: chocolate, food packaging, water, a window, paint, a toilet, a soap bubble, fashion, a sock, a pencil, a butterfly, a gecko, a laptop, an elevator, and a local city.
Children looking at Gecko with magnifying glass

Biomimicry

A collection of biomimicry resources and examples of how technology can imitate natural phenomena and processes. Public engagement biomimicry activity examples include: self-cleaning surfaces and fabrics inspired by the lotus leaf effect observed in some plant leaves, sticky materials inspired by gecko feet, photonics crystals using structural color similar to the iridescent properties of some insects, bird feathers, and shells.
Photo of a large interactive exhibit that has two chambers where learners can drop water onto cabbage leaves and observe droplets rolling off

Bump and Roll exhibit

An exhibit that was part of the Nanotechnology: What's the Big Deal? exhibition that demonstrates nanomaterial properties using an everyday object: a leaf of cabbage.

Scientific Images

Scientific Image - Pollen Grains

Magnified image of pollen particles using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - Water Droplet on a Nasturtium Leaf

Magnified image of a water droplet on a Nasturtium leaf using an Optical Microscope.

Scientific Image - Nasturtium Leaf

Magnified image of a nasturtium leaf using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - Nasturtium Leaf

Magnified image of Nasturtium Leaf using an Optical Camera.

Scientific Image - Nasturtium Leaf

Magnified image of a nasturtium leaf using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - Nasturtium Leaf

Magnified image of a nasturtium leaf using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - SEM Image of Lotus Leaf

Magnified image of a lotus leaf using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - SEM Image of Lotus Leaf

Magnified image of a lotus leaf using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Related Collections of Resources

Hands holding blocks and cards for Future Builder SustainABLE activity

Sustainability

A compilation of sustainability public engagement and professional learning resources. Annual events include: World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, Earth Hour, Earth Day, National Public Works Week, Campus Sustainability Month, and more.
Half of the blue marble for Earth Day hero

Earth Day

A compilation of resources for engaging the public in the Earth, Earth Day, and Earth science. Resources can be used for celebrating Earth Day April 22, Earth Week, and Earth Month.
Two learners observe the Sun with a solarscope in a grassy field

Outside Activities

A collection of activities designed for use in the outdoors or those that can be easily adapted to use outside. These activities can work well in different outdoor settings including nature centers, summer camps, parks, and playgrounds.

More Resources

Hands On Activities

Citizen Science 

Gardens and Outdoor Spaces

Annual Events

Partner Highlights

LICM Milkweed garden

Partner Highlight: Sustainability and Citizen Science at Long Island Children’s Museum

June 5, 2019
Claire Flynn, STEM Initiatives Program Director, Long Island Children’s Museum
Through the Sustainability Fellowship program, Long Island Children’s Museum created a Milkweed Garden and offers programming that allows visitors to participate in the the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, a citizen science project based at the University of Minnesota. I chose this project because I wanted to create an experience that involved our visitors in citizen science and gave them a way to consider how climate change is affecting our local community.

Partner Highlight: The Power of HI-Nano, 'Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo, Hawai'i

February 26, 2014
Frank Kusiak
Coauthored by: Ahia Dye from 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i If you ever find yourself on Hawai'i, aka The Big Island, make your way to Hilo and the beautiful and engaging 'Imiloa Astronomy Center . 'Imiloa is the premier learning...
Working with STEM Experts Guide cover including an image of expert puring a liquid and using a strainer with a girl and her family at a museum public event

Finding STEM Experts