Mai Lesson
Tiny Wire Wonders
Science · 30 min · Any age · You and your child together
This Spark challenges families to discover the incredible thinness of wires found inside everyday electronics. Through hands-on comparisons and imaginative thinking, learners will grasp the concept of nanoscale measurements and appreciate the tiny engineering that powers our world.
What your child gets out of it
- Compare the visible thickness of a human hair to common objects.
- Grasp the concept of a nanometer as an incredibly small unit of measurement.
- Discover that wires inside microchips are significantly thinner than a human hair.
What you need
- a strand of human hair — Just one short strand is enough for observation.
- a paperclip (or a thin twist tie, a small piece of wire)
- a penny (or a small coin, a button)
- ruler — Useful for straight lines and comparison, not for actual measurement of hair. (or a measuring tape, any straight edge)
- tape — Optional, for securing hair to a surface for easier observation. (or glue stick, small sticky note)
- tape (optional)
How it runs
- Breakfast Wires! · 5 min
- Hair-Thin or Thicker? · 8 min
- Tiny Scales · 6 min
- The Invisible Wire Challenge · 9 min
- Amazing Tiny Tech · 2 min
Why it matters
The ability to create incredibly tiny wires and components allows us to build powerful computers and smartphones that fit in our pockets.
Mai is a tutor your child talks to out loud. Open this lesson in the app and she'll run it with them.
Open in Mai SchoolAlready have the app? Tap the link again from your phone and it opens right there.