SCIENCE Nature’s latest discovered supermaterial comes from a decidedly modest creature: A type of mollusk found on the rocky shores of western Europe. (Nat Geo News) Take a look at our coloring page to see where limpets live. Teachers, scroll down for a short list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas According to the Nat Geo News article, limpet teeth grow from … Continue reading Limpets Sink Their Teeth In
TECHNOLOGY Scientists have created a metal that is so extremely hydrophobic that water bounces on it as if it were repelled by a magic force field. Instead of using chemical coatings, the researchers used lasers to etch a nanostructure on the metal itself. (SPLOID) Use our activity to better understand the properties of matter at the nanoscale. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources … Continue reading Amazing Metal Makes Water Bounce Like Magic
The cover photo for this post is a microscopic image of fungi, courtesy Fernando Santos and FEI. With stories about Ebola consuming our newsfeeds these days, it’s probably been hard to avoid discussing the outbreak with your students. But as new cases are discovered and treated, is there anything else to talk about? What questions are emerging from your classroom? One way to continue the … Continue reading The Tiny Truth About Germs
TECHNOLOGY Researchers at IBM have demonstrated the most advanced integrated circuit made of graphene—a two-dimensional “wonder material” that could revolutionize electronics. (BBC) Use our materials to see how scientists are experimenting with graphene and other nanomaterials. Discussion Ideas The scientists profiled in the BBC article are creating a new type of integrated circuit. What is an integrated circuit, and how is this one different? An … Continue reading Chip Off a New Block
