Exploring Nanotechnology

This article provides a simple, hands-on activity to test the antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles of silver. Students prepare their own silver nanoparticles in a biology class followi... See More

This article provides a simple, hands-on activity to test the antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles of silver. Students prepare their own silver nanoparticles in a biology class following the procedure included in this article. Then using an agar rich medium on petri dishes and stock e.coli solution prepared by the teacher they perform their experiment to see the effects of silver nanoparticles on a microbial environment. This activity could serve as an introduction to nanotechnology and daily life.

Directed inquiry of antibiotic properties

The article describes an activity in which students can create and test nano-sized silver particles and their antibiotic properties. This could be done in a biology, chemistry or environment... See More

The article describes an activity in which students can create and test nano-sized silver particles and their antibiotic properties. This could be done in a biology, chemistry or environmental science class, depending on how it is presented (since some water filtration systems include silver as an antibiotic agent). This lab has many applications for a variety of high school classes, ability levels, and standards. The authors present a general lab procedure, a sample worksheet with directions (which allow some student flexibility in lab design), and some assessment suggestions. They also discuss where to find the lab supplies and how to dispose or clean up afterwards. The way the lesson is designed should allow teachers who are accustomed to directing the class to feel comfortable allowing some student initiative. If you are a teacher with a more student led style, you will be frustrated with this as written but probably know how and where to make the adjustments to make it more stud