Nanotechnology

Boardgame

Challenge Biomedical Science – Nanotechnology

NanoTech Snakes and Ladders

Rules

At the start of this game you will be one nanometre tall. This is one billionth of a metre. The aim of the game is to grow back to your normal size.

START

Place your pawns on the W5 symbol. Roll the dice. The player with the highest number begins the game.

When you land on a square where a ladder starts, you must go up the ladder to the square where it ends. This means you’ll grow in size a lot quicker than when you have to follow the board.

SIZE

Some squares give you information about your size. Please use the size chart to help you put your size into perspective.

TASKS

When you land on a Task square, the whole team has to carry out the task. When finished, ask a facilitator or teacher to check your answers. If all answers are correct everyone can move to the next square (if the next square has a snake’s head on it you can move passed this square).

END

To win the game you have to land exactly on the last square. For example, if you have only 3 squares to go and you roll a 5, you’ll have to go to the end square and then move back two places again.

When you land on a square with the head of a snake, you must go down the snake to the square with the tail. This means you’ll shrink again.

Challenge Biomedical Science – Nanotechnology

Size Chart - Snakes and Ladders

Challenge Biomedical Science – Nanotechnology

Task 1- True Or FalseDecide if the facts about nanotechnology are true or false.

1) The average human hair grows about one nanometer per second. True False

2) A nanometre is one billionth of a centimetre. True False

3) Using nanotechnology we can make non-stain and non-wrinkle clothing. True False

4) Medical scientist in the next twenty years will be able to send small robots through our veins to fight disease or perform surgery. True False

5) Using nanotechnology scientists will be able to create self-replicating robots which will consume all living matter on the earth (also known as ‘Grey Goo’). True False

6) Geckos can walk upside-down because of tiny hairs only 200 nanometres wide on their feet that glue them to the ceiling. True False

Challenge Biomedical Science – Nanotechnology

Task 2 – Match The Meaning

Match the word on the left to the definition on the right.

Nucleus

Electron

Nano

Grey Goo

BuckyballAtoms

Proton

Neutron

A particle with no electric charge, found in the nucleus of an atomA particle with no electric charge, found in the nucleus of an atom

A particle with a positive charge, found in the nucleus of an atomA particle with a positive charge, found in the nucleus of an atom

All elements are made of these. Consist of a nucleus with protons and neutrons, surrounded by electronsAll elements are made of these. Consist of a nucleus with protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons

A very strong molecule, made up of 60 carbon atoms that form the shape of a footballA very strong molecule, made up of 60 carbon atoms that form the shape of a football

Out-of-control self-replicating robots consume all life on EarthOut-of-control self-replicating robots consume all life on Earth

The Greek word for ‘dwarf’, also means one billionthThe Greek word for ‘dwarf’, also means one billionth

A particle with a negative charge, found in the space surrounding the nucleus of an atomA particle with a negative charge, found in the space surrounding the nucleus of an atom

The centre of a cell where genetic information is usually storedThe centre of a cell where genetic information is usually stored

Challenge Biomedical Science – Nanotechnology

Task 3 – Atomic Structure

Proton – small particle with a positive charge found in the nucleus of the atomNeutron – a particle with no charge found in the nucleus of the atom.Electron – very small negatively charged particle found in the space surrounding the nucleus

We can find the atomic structure by using the atomic number and mass number. These give us the information needed to see how the atom is built up.

Atomic Number = the number of protons in the nucleus of an atoms = the number of electrons

Mass Number = the number of protons + the number of neutrons

C12

6

Atomic Number

Mass Number

Number of Protons = Atomic Number = 6

Number of Neutrons = Mass number – number of protons = 6

Number of Electrons = Number of Protons = 6

Challenge Biomedical Science – Nanotechnology

Challenge Biomedical Science – Nanotechnology

Task 4 – Scanning Electron Microscope images

Below are five images and five labels. Cut the images and labels out and match them up. Then stick them on the spare page in order of size from the smallest to the largest.

Grains of sand

Pollen

Fly’s eye

Ant’s Head

Bacteria