Running Head: PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
1
Pre-Assessment Activity for the Concept of Scale
1. Arrange the items on the cards in order from smallest to largest in terms of their actual
size. Remember that the drawings are not the same size as the actual objects. Describe
any reasons you used to order the objects. Record the letters of the objects in the spaces
below:
_____ > _____ > _____ > _____ > _____ > _____ > _____ > _____ >_____ > _____
Smallest
Largest
Reasons:
2. Imagine that you have been shrunken to one-thousandth of your current size. How would
your perspectives and interactions with the world around you be different?
3. When an object is cut into pieces, the surface area increases. Give an example of a
situation where a change in surface area affects the behavior of a substance and describe
the change in behavior that occurs.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
2
4. What is scale? Why is it important? Create a web of what you understand about scale by
depicting ideas and how they relate in the circles provided.
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
___
_____
____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
___
Scale
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
____
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
A
Length of a
grain of rice
F
3
B
Diameter of a
carbon nanotube
G
C
Diameter of
an animal cell
H
D
E
Diameter of
Diameter of a
a quarter
water molecule
I
J
Length of
Diameter of
Diameter of
Diameter of a
a penny
an amoeba
Cards for object sorting task in the Scale Pre-Assessment
Hydrogen atom
Diameter of
an ant
a virus
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
4
Pre-Assessment for Scale - Rubric
1. (9 points) Correct Ranking D,G,A,J,C,F,I,B,E,H
 (up to 4 points) Correctly arranging groups of items: human-sized (nickel,
penny); small but visible with your eye (hair, ant); microscale (bacterium,
animal cell); nanoscale (virus, carbon nanotube); picoscale (oxygen atom,
water molecule).
i. 1 point – coins are the largest
ii. 1 point – atoms and molecules are the smallest
iii. 1 point – visible > microscale & nanoscale items
iv. 1 point – microscale > nanoscale
 (5 points) Correctly arranging objects within a group. Groups are listed from
largest to smallest.
i. Human-sized (quarter > penny)
ii. Visible (rice > ant)
iii. Microscale (cell > amoeba)
iv. Nanoscale (virus > carbon nanotube)
v. Picoscale (water molecule > hydrogen atom)
2. (2 points) One point for each:
 Understanding that objects that were once small to you will now seem large.
 Indication of complications or obstacles as a result of your change in size and
perspective. For example, you could fall into a crack in the sidewalk.
3. (3 points) One point for:
 a correct situation that uses a change in surface area (eg. Cutting up a hot
potato, crushed ices vs. cube ice, etc…)
 describing the behavior change (eg. Potato cools quicker, Ice melts faster,
etc.)
 relating this to the change in the proportion of surface area to inner volume.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
5

4. Rate student concept attainment using the rubric:
Beginning
Developing
Competent
Proficient
Expert
Level of
Understanding
The learner
communicates
the term
associated with
the abstract
concept.
The learner
paraphrases
the definition of
the concept.
The learner
provides
examples and
nonexamples of
the concept.
TLP key
attributes that
distinguish the
concept
category.
TL links the
concept with
other related
concepts.
Example
Scale
Scale is a
classification of
size that
groups objects
by common
rules that
govern
interactions
and behavior.
Examples:
Picoscale
Nanoscale
Microscale
Human scale
Properties
Behavior
Interactions
“Objects that
are at different
scales have
unique
properties that
are beneficial in
creating new
technologies.”
Nonexamples:
Marbles
compared to
bowling balls,
although there is
a difference in
size, both objects
are on the human
scale.
Note: Item 1 Adapted from (Tretter, Jones, Negishi, & Minogue, 2006)
Concept Attainment Rubric from (Tieso, nd)
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
6
Post-Assessment Activity for the Concept of Scale
1. Arrange the items on the cards in order from smallest to largest in terms of their actual
size. Remember that the drawings are not the same size as the actual objects. Describe
any reasons you used to order the objects. Record the letters of the objects in the spaces
below:
_____ > _____ > _____ > _____ > _____ > _____ > _____ > _____ >_____ > _____
Smallest
Largest
Reasons:
2. How is the nanoscale world different from the human scale word? Give an example and
explain why the difference occurs.
3. Give an example of a situation where surface area to volume ratio affects behavior at the
nanoscale and describe the change in behavior that occurs.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
7
4. What is scale? Why is it important? Create a web of what you understand about scale by
depicting ideas and how they relate in the circles provided.
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
___
_____
____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
___
Scale
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
____
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
A
8
B
C
D
E
Thickness of a
Diameter of a
human hair
carbon nanotube
Diameter of
Diameter of an
Diameter of a
a nickel
water molecule
I
J
animal cell
F
G
H
Length of
Length of
a bacterium
Diameter of
Diameter of
a penny
an Oxygen atom
Cards for object sorting task in the Scale Post-Assessment
Diameter of
an ant
a virus
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
9
Post-Assessment for Scale - Rubric
1.
(9 points) Correct order: D,G,J,A,C,F,I,B,E,H
a. (up to 4 points) Correctly arranging groups of items: human-sized (nickel, penny);
small but visible with your eye (hair, ant); microscale (bacterium, animal cell);
nanoscale (virus, carbon nanotube); picoscale (oxygen atom, water molecule).
i. 1 point – coins are the largest
ii. 1 point – atoms and molecules are the smallest
iii. 1 point – visible > microscale & nanoscale items
iv. 1 point – microscale > nanoscale
b. (5 points) Correctly arranging objects within a group. Groups are listed from
largest to smallest.
i. Human-sized (nickel > penny)
ii. Visible (ant > hair)
iii. Microscale (cell > bacterium)
iv. Nanoscale (virus > carbon nanotube)
v. Picoscale (water molecule > oxygen atom)
vi.
2. (2 points) One point for each:
 Example of a difference that occurs at the nanoscale.
 Correct explanation for that difference.
3. (3 points) One point for:
 a correct situation that uses a change in surface area (eg. Colloidal silver,
etc…)
 describing the behavior change (eg. Colloidal silver is more reactive, etc.)
 relating this to the change in the proportion of surface area to inner volume.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
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4.

Rate student concept attainment using the rubric:
Beginning
Developing
Competent
Proficient
Expert
Level of
Understanding
The learner
communicates
the term
associated with
the abstract
concept.
The learner
paraphrases
the definition of
the concept.
The learner
provides
examples and
nonexamples of
the concept.
TLP key
attributes that
distinguish the
concept
category.
TL links the
concept with
other related
concepts.
Example
Scale
Scale is a
classification of
size that
groups objects
by common
rules that
govern
interactions
and behavior.
Examples:
Picoscale
Nanoscale
Microscale
Human scale
Properties
Behavior
Interactions
“Objects that
are at different
scales have
unique
properties that
are beneficial in
creating new
technologies.”
Nonexamples:
Marbles
compared to
bowling balls,
although there is
a difference in
size, both objects
are on the human
scale.
Note: Item 1 Adapted from (Tretter, Jones, Negishi, & Minogue, 2006)
Concept Attainment Rubric from (Tieso, nd)
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
11
Pre-Assessment Activity for Curiosity and Interest in Science
1. List as many possible innovations that use nanotechnology as you can think of. These can be
real or imagined.
2. Describe a problem in the real world and a possible solution that uses nanotechnology. This
can be real or imagined.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
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Post-Assessment Activity for Curiosity and Interest in Science - Rubric
1. One point for each example given. Give additional points for ideas that are original or
elaborate.
2. Give points for the following:
 One point for a problem description.
 One point for a solution that uses nanotechnology.
 Give additional points for the originality of the solution, elaboration of the problem,
and elaboration of the solution.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
13
Post-Assessment Activity for Curiosity and Interest in Science
1. List as many possible innovations that use nanotechnology as you can think of. These can be
real or imagined.
2. Describe a problem in the real world and a possible solution that uses nanotechnology. This
can be real or imagined.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
14
Post-Assessment Activity for Curiosity and Interest in Science - Rubric
1. One point for each example given. Give additional points for ideas that are original or
elaborate.
2. Give points for the following:
 One point for a problem description.
 One point for a solution that uses nanotechnology.
 Give additional points for the originality of the solution, elaboration of the problem,
and elaboration of the solution.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
15
Pre-Assessment for Science Process Skills
1. Your mother is concerned about the safety of the new antibacterial food containers that
claim to keep food fresh longer using nanotechnology. Describe the process you would use
to answer the question “Are the food containers safe to use?”.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
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Pre-Assessment for Science Process Skills - Rubric
1. Score as follows:
 One point for indicating that the student would do some research.
 One point for indication that the student would conduct an experiment. Additional point
for description of the experiment.
 One point for saying that multiples sources of information should be used (media,
scientific journals, scientists, etc.).
 One point for indication of preference for credible, authoritative sources.
 One point for demonstrating understanding of possible risks and benefits relating to
nanotechnology.
 One point for indicating that the benefit has to outweigh the risks for a technology to be
worth implementing.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
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Post-Assessment for Science Process Skills
1. Your school is having a problem with students writing on the cafeteria tables. The
principal has heard about an anti-graffiti paint that uses nanotechnology and recommends
painting the tables with this new paint. The PTA is concerned that this may not be safe.
Describe the process you would use to answer the question “Is the paint safe to use?”.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
18
Post-Assessment for Science Process Skills - Rubric
1. Score as follows:
 One point for indicating that the student would do some research.
 One point for indication that the student would conduct an experiment. Additional point
for description of the experiment.
 One point for saying that multiples sources of information should be used (media,
scientific journals, scientists, etc.).
 One point for indication of preference for credible, authoritative sources.
 One point for demonstrating understanding of possible risks and benefits relating to
nanotechnology.
 One point for indicating that the benefit has to outweigh the risks for a technology to be
worth implementing.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
Pre-Assessment Nanoscience Content
1. Write the following numbers in exponential notation (as ten raised to a power):
a.
1
1,000,000
b. 1,000,000,000
2. Use an object that is familiar to you to describe the size of a nanometer.
3. Name and describe properties of materials that are unique to the nanoscale.
19
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
20
Pre-Assessment Nanoscience Content - Rubric
1. One point each for correct answer.
a. 10-6
b. 109
2. Give points as follows:
 One point for accurately estimating the size of the known object.
 One point for accurately describing the size of a nanometer.
 One point for correctly comparing a known object to a nanometer. For example, a
finger tip is about a centimeter long (10-2 m) which is the same as 107 nanometers. In
other words, 10 million nanometers could fit across your fingertip.
 One point for each property. (eg. invisibility, higher chemical reactivity, change in
color, changes in physical properties such as density or boiling point)
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
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Post-Assessment Nanoscience Content
1. Write the following numbers in exponential notation (as ten raised to a power):
a.
1
1, 000, 000,000
b. 1,000,000
2. How many nanometers could fit on your index finger if they were laid down end to end?
Explain your reasoning.
3. Name and describe properties of materials that are unique to the nanoscale.
PRE- AND POST- NANOSCIENCE
22
Post-Assessment Nanoscience Content - Rubric
1. One point each for correct answer.
a. 10-6
b. 109
2. Give points as follows:
 One point for accurately estimating the size of an index finger (approximately 4-7
cm).
 One point for knowing that a nanometer is 10-9 m.
 One point for correctly comparing the size of the index finger to a nanometer. For
example, a finger is about a centimeter long (5 x 10-2 m) which is the same as 107
nanometers. In other words, 50 million nanometers could fit across your fingertip.
3. One point for each property. (eg. invisibility, higher chemical reactivity, change in color,
changes in physical properties such as density or boiling point) and one point for each
property description.