Nanotechnology Institute, Day 5

Gel Diffusion lab, red food coloring

Day 5 was a good conclusion to the excellent experience that I’ve had at the UMass STEM Nanotechnology Institute 2013.  We reviewed our crystal and Gelatin Diffusion experiments with the ADI software that I learned about at STEM Digital.  It was powerful to be able to analyze the results with both Microsoft Excel and the ADI Software.

Jonathan Rothstein gave a presentation and talked further about Nanomedicines.  As I posted yesterday about Nanotechnology impacts, nanomedicine will change the way that we treat many conditions and diseases.  Nanomedicine will change the way that we even think about different diseases.

We spent the rest of the day sharing how we will use the material that we gained from this experience in our classrooms this upcoming school year.  I’ve shared my poster below.

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STEM Digital, Day 5

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Leaf Leaching experiment, before purification

STEM Digital, Day 5, started out reviewing water quality and purification processes.  Earlier in the week, we had set up leaves for a leaf-leaching experiment.  We were now use this water to analyze the matter that had leached into the water.  We then tried different purification methods, and rated the efficacy of these methods of treating our water.

We then reviewed our earlier experiments, including the Diffusion Experiment and Crayfish Analysis of experiments we started earlier in the week, using the ADI software.

Finally, Mort Sternheim gave a presentation on different careers that could be considered that have to do with STEM and digital photo analysis.  We met with groups from our subject areas and talked about how our students would be able to use the skills we’re teaching them to find careers. 

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Our Crayfish, after 4 days in a light environment

STEM Digital Day 1

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The first day of STEM Digital was a great experience.  Mort Sternheim greeted us, and there was a lovely breakfast provided for us during registration.

We started the day with John Pickle explaining how to use the ADI software to analyze a leaf, using basic measurement and area techniques.  I became excited, because I believe this software will be very useful in measuring the pH in a few laboratories that I run.

Jennifer Wellborn, of Amherst Middle School, explained how she uses the software in her classroom with a few assignments, including with diffusion and crayfish.  We set up these experiments in the lab, to let them run the course of the week.  I am interested to see whether the crayfish turns color based on its environment.

We went on to talk about albedo and climate change.  Our assignment was to take a picture of white printer paper and measure the reflected light, comparing it with a darker medium (grass).

Steve Schneider presented how to measure angles with the ADI software, guiding us through Earth and Space Science.  We tried to measure angles of people’s faces, and see the basis of facial recognition software.

Finally, Dave Reckhow talked about water quality and water treatment, focusing on natural organic matter in water.  We set up leaf leaching experiments, to focus on analysis later in the week.

Looking forward to Day 2 tomorrow!