This lesson introduces scale by demonstrating scales as factors of ten. This facilitates the introduction and reinforcement of the metric scale and paves the way to the discussion of lengths that are smaller than what can be seen with the naked eye. The lesson also introduces the concept of using different tools to address different length scales.  Understanding size and scale is fundamental to learning about nanotechnology as size defines the nanoscale. This activity connects well to the introduction of atoms and cell structures as well as advancements in technology.

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Marilyn Garza

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• NNIN RET program at UC Santa Barbara NSF EEC 0908895 and NNIN  NSF ECCS 0335765

• Marilyn Garza, NNCI Nano (2020), "Scale Models: A Size and Scale Activity," https://nanohub.org/resources/32177.

  BibTex | EndNote

1. elementary school
2. high school
3. K-12
4. Mathematics
5. measurement
6. metric system
7. middle school
8. NNCI Educational Materials
9. powers of ten
10. size and scale