| Content Area | Grade Levels | Content Standard | How We Teach It | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unifying Concepts and Processes | Evidence, Models and Explanation | K-12 | Models are tentative schemes or structures that correspond to real objects, events, or classes of events, and that have explanatory power. | Dan and Joel humorously explain the difference between an atom and a model representing an atom, while preparing their own glowing atomic model. |
| Physical Science | ||||
| Structure of Atoms | 5-8 | Matter is made of minute particles called atoms, and atoms are composed of even smaller components. Each atom has a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons. | While juggling a wide variety of objects and materials, the Amazing Nano Brothers explain that everything is made of atoms, and atoms themselves are made up of protons, neutrons and electrons. | |
| Structure and Properties of Matter | 9-12 | Atoms interact with one another by transferring or sharing electrons that are furthest from the nucleus. | The Nano Brothers share electrons (represented by juggling balls) to demonstrate the bonding involved in the formation of molecules. | |
| Conservation of energy and increase in disorder | 9-12 | Heat consists of random motion and the vibrations of atoms, molecules, and ions. The higher the temperature, the greater the atomic or molecular motion. | Dan and Joel act out the connection between temperature and motion at the atomic scale. | |
| Properties of Objects and Materials | K-4 | Objects have many observable properties, including size, weight, shape, color, temperature, and the ability to react with other substances. Those properties can be measured using tools, such as rulers, balances, and thermometers. | Dan and Joel explain basic properties of matter including temperature, size, and reactivity. Using their unicycles, they demonstrate how tools like scanning probe microscopes can be used to measure things at the nanoscale. | |
| Science and Technology | Understanding about Science and Technology | K-4 | Tools help scientists make better observations, measurements, and equipment for investigations. They help scientists see, measure, and do things that they could not otherwise see, measure, and do. | Dan and Joel explore the invention of the scanning probe microscope, act out its operation, and show how it allowed scientists to move and image individual atoms for the first time. |
| Content Area | Grade Levels | Content Standard | How We Teach It | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Sciences | Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures | 6-8 | Recognize that there are more than 100 elements that combine in a multitude of ways to produce compounds that make up all of the living and nonliving things that we encounter. | While juggling examples which include a birdbath and a house plant, the Amazing Nano Brothers explain that all matter is made of atoms, and every kind of atom can be found on the periodic table of elements. |
| Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures | 6-8 | Differentiate between an atom (the smallest unit of an element that maintains the characteristics of that element) and a molecule (the smallest unit of a compound that maintains the characteristics of that compound). | Dan and Joel use a variety of juggling tricks and physical models to explain that atoms are tiny units of matter, and molecules are made of atoms bonded together. | |
| Chemistry | Atomic Structures and Nuclear Chemistry | High School | Broad Concept: An atom is a discrete unit. The atomic model can help us to understand the interaction of elements and compounds observed on a macroscopic scale. | Dan and Joel become juggling atomic models and share electrons (represented by juggling balls) with each other to explain how atoms interact. |
| Atomic Structures and Nuclear Chemistry | High School | Identify the major components of the nuclear atom (protons, neutrons, and electrons) and explain how they interact. | The Nano Brothers turn themselves, a volunteer, and lots of glowing juggling balls into a large atomic model that includes stationary protons and neutrons and whirling electrons. This model demonstrates the properties and relative distances of the components of atoms. | |
| Biology | The Chemistry of Life | 9-10 | Broad Concept: Living things are made of atoms bonded together to form organic molecules. | Dan and Joel explain that all matter – including plants, animals and even the Nano Brothers themselves – is made of atoms bonded together into molecules. They show that DNA is made up of atoms of only five different elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorous. |