March 30 - April 7, 2013

NanoDays at the Science Museum of Minnesota is part of a nationwide festival of educational programs about nanoscale science and engineering.

On March 30, and April 4-6, from 1-4 p.m., come explore the minuscule world of atoms, molecules, and nanoscale forces! Take part in hands-on activities throughout the museum that demonstrate the special and unexpected properties found at the nanoscale; bend metal with your bare hands (then watch as it bends itself back!), move something without touching it, learn to speak computer-ese, make something disappear, and much more.

National NanoDays events run from March 30 to April 7, 2013, but Twin Cities audiences will be able to participate in hands-on activities, live stage performances, special guest programming and more, from March 30 to April 13 at locations across the Twin Cites. Continue reading to find out what The Bakken, the University of Minnesota, the Children's Museum of Minnesota, and SELF International are doing to celebrate the tiny world of nano.

Just what is nano?

Nano is anything that is so small that you measure it in nanometers. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter—that's 100,000 times smaller than the width of a hair! That means anything nano is really small. Because these particles are so small, they often act differently on the nanoscale. For example, nanoparticles of gold can look red, orange, green, or purple!

Nanotechnology will affect all of us—from everyday things like clothing that won't stain, to extraordinary medical discoveries that will save lives.

For more information about nanotechnology, visit www.whatisnano.org.

Here's what other people around the Metro are doing for NanoDays:

The Bakken
The Bakken Museum will be hosting NanoDays onsite from April 2-6 while Minneapolis schools are on spring break. Every day from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. there will be special nanoscience-themed activities in the museum for guests to explore and experience the science of the small. These activities are included in the regular cost of admission.

On Saturday, April 13, The Bakken's monthly "Free Second Saturday" will focus on the theme of nanoscale science. Throughout the day there will be hands-on experiments and demonstrations, free make-and- takes, and special nano-themed presentations, all for FREE! Check out more information about Free Second Saturdays at www.thebakken.org/saturday.

The University of Minnesota
The Nanofabrication Center on the U of M campus will open its doors to a few lucky middle and high school students on Thursday, April 4, from 8:30-11 a.m. These students will see demonstrations about how integrated circuits are made, participate in hands-on activities that illustrate nano properties, and tour the research labs.

Minnesota Children's Museum
On April 6 and 7, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., bring your little scientists to the Minnesota Children's Museum for hands-on activities and experiments that help bring Nano Science to life for young children. Discover what is so Big about the super small, and learn how we can find Nano all around us.

SELF International
Join SELF at the Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis on April 6, from 1-5 p.m. for a fun-filled day of nano exploration. Enjoy refreshments as you participate in hands-on activities, meet real nanoscientists, and preview SELF's new science program!