Achievement

The MCTP program runs nanoscience workshops for teachers and gives them kits to perform experiments in their class rooms. This year we introduced two new experiments to our workshop series, one on the biotoxicity of nanoscale materials and one on water purification. In the biotoxicity experiment, students synthesize silver nanocrystals and examine the effectiveness of bulk, ionic, and nanocrystal silver at inhibiting respiration in baker’s yeast. Silver nanoparticles are becoming common antimicrobial agents; this lab introduces the concept that bulk and nanosized objects are not equally toxic. In the second new experiment, students remove metal ions and organic dyes form water using a combination of nanoscale carbon and nanoporous zeolites. In the lab, they learn about the different types of impurities that need to be removed to produce safe drinking water and how nanoscience can facilitate that. Both experiments also extend the range of workshops we offer to biology teachers.