• 6-8: 4D/M1cd. Atoms may link together in well-defined molecules, or may be packed together in crystal patterns. Different arrangements of atoms into groups compose all substances and determine the characteristic properties of substances.

• 9-12: 8B/H4. Increased knowledge of the properties of particular molecular structures helps in the design and synthesis of new materials for special purposes.

• 3-5: 11B/E4. Models are very useful for communicating ideas about objects, events, and processes. When using a model to communicate about something, it is important to keep in mind how it is different from the thing being modeled.
• 6-8: 11B/M1. Models are often used to think about processes that happen too slowly, too quickly, or on too small a scale to observe directly. They are also used for processes that are too vast, too complex, or too dangerous to study.

• 6-8: 11D/M3. Natural phenomena often involve sizes, durations, and speeds that are extremely small or extremely large. These phenomena may be difficult to appreciate because they involve magnitudes far outside human experience.

• 6-8: 12C/M2. Use computer databases to store and retrieve information.
• 6-8: 12C/M3. Make accurate measurements of length, volume, weight, elapsed time, rates, and temperature by using appropriate devices.

• 6-8: 12D/M6. Present a brief scientific explanation orally or in writing that includes a claim and the evidence and reasoning that supports the claim.
• 6-8: 12D/M8. Explain a scientific idea to someone else, checking understanding and responding to questions.

This unique activity for middle school allows students to mimic the action of a scanning probe microscope as they figure out what's in the "mystery box", using only chopsticks as probes for mapping the mysterious object. They record data by using centimeter marks on the chopsticks and work cooperatively to analyze the data.

• Physical Sciences K-8 Teaching Nanoscale Science Unit
• Physics First Teaching Nanoscale Science Unit

This unique activity allows students to mimic the action of a scanning probe microscope as they figure out what's in the "mystery box", using only chopsticks as probes for mapping the mysterious object. They record data by using centimeter marks on the chopsticks and work cooperatively to analyze the data.

• Physical Sciences K-8 Microscopy: Observing at the Nanoscale Unit
• Physics First Microscopy: Observing at the Nanoscale Unit