Day 3 Nano Institute

The focus for today was atomic force microscopes (AFMs). Val reminded us that when we use AFMs we are "seeing" the surface without really seeing it. It is a sensory experience. A good reminder of that was given through the "Braille Game." The essence of this game was to determine what braille letters were punched into the cardboard without looking at it, so we kept them from view under the table while determining what letter was represented.
Similarly, AFM works by tapping along the surface and reading it, rather than looking at the surface with light. AFM gives only a surface image, it does not give color. AFMs can be operated in different modes; contact mode, in which the tip is in constant contact with the surface of the sample, and tapping mode which is used for soft samples such as cells and DNA. Val also advised us of the concerns that may come up with imaging; moving the tip too fast or too slow, the distance between the sample and the tip, and the tip itself. Images were shared showing some of these concerns. The morning continued on with completion of an analogous grid activity where we had to tap a probe along a surface, map it, build a 3-D model, draw the negative spaces of that 3-D model (which I just realized I did incorrectly looking at the picture). Then we made an Excel surface plot and changed the angle of that plot.


Val also discussed her current research, asking frequent questions of us along the way. This helped to keep me engaged in her lecture, as I attempted to put what I've been learning to work.

Following all of this, each of us was able to operate the AFM with Val sitting beside us! It was exciting but frightening at the same time! I am thrilled that my students will have the oportunity to see the AFM when they bring it to school as part of the nano program!

The afternoon was spent in pedagogy discussing issues we may have implementing this nano program in our classrooms and with science education in general. Commenting on that discussion, at HFS we do not have any dedicated space for science and I frequently feel limited by available materials. I would love to have a source to borrow materials as well as guidance in establishing a science club.