What's the Smallest Thing You Know?

This lesson, presented by the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network, covers the conceptualization of size for younger students. Based on the book What’s Smaller Than A Pygmy Shrew? by Robert E. Wells, students start by thinking about the size of the pygmy shrew and its functionality on a small scale. From there, students begin to think about things that are smaller than the eye can see, and eventually gain the skills "to be able to conceptualize the behavior of matter at the nanoscale and the tools used to explore this world." Included are a teacher preparation guide, student worksheet using center, student worksheet for the extension activity, and center instructions.