Resources and Websites
Adams, Wade, and Linda Williams. Nanotechnology Demystified. 1 ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2006. This book provides a general overview of nanotechnology. It familiarizes the reader with the terminology, the concepts, and the tools and instruments primarily used in the multidisciplinary field of nano-science. The book includes quizzes on the main points after each chapter.
Benyus, Janine M.. Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. New York: Harper Perennial, 2002. This book is all about using nature as a source of inspiration for new innovations. It focuses on viewing nature as a model of what we can imitate or use as inspiration in our designs of nano-structures and nano-devices to solve human problems; a measure of the appropriateness of nano-innovations; and a mentor viewing and valuing nature as a teacher form which we learn, rather than as a source from which we extract and deplete.
Bonner, John Tyler. Why Size Matters: From Bacteria to Blue Whales. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006. In this book John Bonner provides an overview of what we know about the role of size in the living world. Size is introduced through the ideas and concepts behind giants and dwarfs. Questions regarding the physics of size as it relates to biology, the evolution of size, and the role of size with respect to function and longevity are presented. He provides formulas that illustrate the relationship of relationships involved with the physics of size e.g. weight and strength.
Bourne, Marlene. MEMS & Nanotechnology for Kids. First ed. Scottsdale: Bourne Research Llc, 2007. This book is written for kids with a fair amount of visual representations. It is written as an exploration and comparison of things that exist in the world at the micro-scale and the nano-scale. It is an easy and interesting read.
Boysen, Richard D. Booker~Earl. Nanotechnology For Dummies (For Dummies (Math and Science)). New York: For Dummies, 2005. This book is easy to read and presents the topic of nanotechnology in a way that makes it accessible and comprehensible to the lay person. It presents a clear explanation of what nanotechnology is, its application, and where it is headed. It doesn't answer all of the questions related to nanotechnology, but provides the basics for understanding the topic.
Falvo, Michael R., M. Gail Jones, and Amy R. Taylor. Extreme Science: From Nano to Galactic (PB237X). Danvers, Ma: National Science Teachers Association, 2009. A collection of investigations designed to help students develop a comprehensive sense of scale through interactive activities using the quantitative units and tools of science.
Forbes, Peter. The Gecko's Foot: Bio- Inspiration: Engineering New Materials from Nature. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2006.
Harmer, Andrea. Nanotechnology for Grades 1-6+: Introducing Nan and Bucky dog. Bloomington: Authorhouse, 2005. This book is written primarily for children but I found it to be suitable for adults as well. It is a very good introduction to the concept of nanotechnology and spends a fair amount of time explaining the size of a nanometer using different comparative representations. It includes a glossary of terms and hands on activities.
Johnson, Rebecca L. Nanotechnology (Cool Science). Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2005. This book has lots of visual representations that aid in gaining a basic understanding of nanotechnology and is written at a level that upper elementary would be able to comprehend. It covers information on how small the world of nano is, the new tools associated with it, and the current use of nanomaterials and in the future. It includes a basic glossary of terms and websites for further research.
Jones, Richard A. L. Soft Machines: Nanotechnology and Life. New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2004. This is a comprehensive book that explains the differences between the macroworld and the nanoworld. It focuses on the question of design rules that should be followed when working at the nanoscale. It discusses how cell biology works and the implications of physics at the nanoscale. Written for an adult audience.
Krajcik, Joseph, Shawn Stevens, and LeeAnn Sutherland. The Big Ideas of Nanoscale Science and Engineering: A Guidebook for Secondary Teachers (PB241X). Danvers, Ma: National Science Teachers Association, 2009.
Nanooze: A children's online Science Magazine and a source for current and exciting information in science and technology and free classroom copies of the Nanooze publication for kids. www.nanooze.org
Nanokids: A series of 12 self-contained nanoscale science and technology lessons for grades 6-12. http://nanokids.rice.edu/mission.cfm
Science Museum UK Online: Information about nanotechnology and an interactive game. http://sciencemuseum.org.uk/antenna/nano
Understanding Nanotechnology: General information about nanotechnology and its applications. http://understandingnano.com
University of Wisconsin-Madison NSEC: Lessons for the K-12 science classrooms and after school groups. http://nsec.wisc.edu
Lawrence Hall of Science: Interactive games, videos, scale, and meet a scientist. http://nanozone.org
National Nanotechnology Initiative: this site has an Education Center link that provides information for K-12 students and teachers. www.nano.gov
National Nanotecchnology Infrastructure Network: Contains general information about nanotechnology, educational resources, and links to additional nanotechnology resources. http://education.nnin.org
The Biomimicry Institute promotes learning from and then emulating natural forms, processes, and ecosystems to create more sustainable and healthier human technologies and designs. It is an excellent resource for research projects. Has an ask nature feature and contains case studies of what has been learned from nature. www.biomimicryinstitute.org
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