A Comparison of Scale Learning Module

Module Description:

This module, from Support Center for Microsystems Education (SCME), introduces "various concepts associated with scale, and a comparison of the macro, micro and nano-scales." This module is divided into the following six units: Knowledge Probe (KP) or Pre-test, Comparison of Scale Primary Knowledge (PK), Inquiry Activity: Cut-To-Size, The Scale of Biomolecules Activity, Scale Activity: Zoom In / Zoom Out, and Comparison of Scale Assessment.

Module Contents: 

The module includes seven instructor guides, six participant guides, and a presentation. PDF and DOC versions are provided for all of the guides. The included guides are: A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano Primary Knowledge; A Comparison of Scale Assessment Knowledge Probe (KP) Pre-test; three activities; and an assessment. Instructor guides include additional content such as instructor notes and questions and answers. A Learning Module Map (LM) Instructor Guide is also included. 

The LM map includes information about the module including module contents, target audience, and a map that is divided into the following three sections: Important Steps, Key Points, and Reasons. 

A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano Primary Knowledge is an instructional unit with the following objectives:

• Explain the differences in the macro, micro and nano scales in terms of size, applications, and properties.
• Define microtechnology and nanotechnology.
• Identify objects and applications in the micro-scale and the nano-scale.

The following sections are included in this unit guide: Introduction, Objectives, Key Terms, Size is Relative, Scale is Relationship, How Big is Small, the Scale of Things, and more.

In the Scale Inquiry Activity: Cut to Size, students "explore the macro, micro and nano- scales," and "begin thinking about the types of objects found in these scales." Objectives for the activity include:

• Demonstrate your knowledge of metric scales by identifying at least 15 objects that range in size from the nano-scale to the macro-scale.
• Identify at least 3 macro-size objects that perform the same tasks but in the micro-scale.

The Scale of Biomolecules Activity is an "exploration of the scale of biomolecules," where students will "identify the relationship between the sizes of different biomolecules and cells." Objectives of the activity include:

• Demonstrate your understanding of the relative size of biomolecules by creating an illustration that consists of correctly proportioned molecules joined to other molecules and cells.
• Describe two applications of biomolecules in MEMS.

In the Scale Activity: Zoom In / Zoom Out, students will "demonstrate what they have learned about the various scales while studying the Comparison of Scale Learning Module." Objectives of the activity include:

• Illustrate the relationship of scale by breaking an object into its various sized components: macro (> 100 microns), micro, nano.
• Calculate how much bigger (in powers of 10) one object is over another object in a different scale.

The Comparison of Scale Assessment includes 12 questions and is intended to be given to students at the completion of the module.

A presentation is also provided that includes a unit overview, objectives, and additional information about scale comparisons and how they apply to microtechnology. The presentation is provided in both PDF and PowerPoint formats.

For orientation purposes Int_Scale_LM_MAP_P1_IG.pdf is included as a separate attachment and offers a sample of the type of material included in this module. 

Below is a list of the files included in the .zip attachment. The size of each file is included in parenthesis. 

A Comparison of Scale Learning Module (36 files, 17.6 MB)

• Instructor Guides
  • Docs 
    • Scale Inquiry Activity: Cut To Size Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_AC12_IG_May2017.docx 242 KB)
    • The Scale of Biomolecules Activity Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_AC13_IG_May2017.docx 45 KB)
    • Scale Activity: Zoom In / Zoom Out Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_AC15_IG_May2017.docx 54 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale Assessment Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_FA12_IG_May2017.docx 133 KB) 
    • A Comparison of Scale Assessment Knowledge Probe (KP) Pre-test Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_KP_IG_May2017.docx 44 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano Learning Module (Int_Scale_LM_MAP_P1_IG_May2017.docx 27 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano Primary Knowledge Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_PK12_IG_May2017.docx 2 MB)
  • PDFs
    • Scale Inquiry Activity: Cut to Size Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_AC12_IG.pdf 420 KB)
    • The Scale of Biomolecules Activity Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_AC13_IG.pdf 141 KB)
    • Scale Activity: Zoom In / Out Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_AC15_IG.pdf 152 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale Assessment Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_FA12_IG.pdf 217 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale Assessment Knowledge Probe (KP) Pre-test Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_KP_IG.pdf 114 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano Learning Module (Int_Scale_LM_MAP_P1_IG.pdf 119 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano: Primary Knowledge Instructor Guide (Int_Scale_PK12_IG.pdf 2.2 MB) 
• Participant Guides 
  • Docs 
    • Scale Inquiry Activity: Cut To Size Participant Guide (Int_Scale_AC12_PG_May2017.docx 200 KB)
    • The Scale of Biomolecules Activity Participant Guide (Int_Scale_AC13_PG_May2017.docx 45 KB)
    • Scale Activity: Zoom In / Zoom Out Participant Guide (Int_Scale_AC15_PG_May2017.docx 50 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale Assessment Participant Guide (Int_Scale_FA12_PG_May2017.docx 127 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano Learning Module  (Int_Scale_P1_KP_PG_May2017.docx 45 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano: Primary Knowledge Participant Guide (Int_Scale_PK12_PG_May2017.docx 2 MB)
  • PDFs 
    • Scale Inquiry Activity: Cut To Size Participant Guide (Int_Scale_AC12_PG.pdf 370 KB)
    • The Scale of Biomolecules Activity Participant Guide (Int_Scale_AC13_PG.pdf 133 KB)
    • Scale Activity: Zoom In / Zoom Out Participant Guide (Int_Scale_AC15_PG.pdf 133 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale Assessment Participant Guide (Int_Scale_FA12_PG.pdf 193 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano Learning Module (Int_Scale_P1_KP_PG.pdf 128 KB)
    • A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano Primary Knowledge Participant Guide (Int_Scale_PK12_PG.pdf 2.2 MB)
  • Presentation
    • A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano (Comparison_of_scale_Presentation.pdf 3.9 MB)
    • A Comparison of Scale: Macro, Micro, Nano (Comparison_of_scale_Presentation.pptx 2 MB)