Microsoft and a science place called PNNL made a new thing for batteries using smart computers. This new thing could use a lot less of a metal called lithium. The smart computer looked at lots of possible things and picked the best ones really fast. They made a battery that worked in less than a year.
Lots of things we use, like cars and phones, need batteries with lithium. People are worried because we might not have enough lithium soon, and getting it from the ground can hurt the earth. Finding a new thing for batteries that doesn't need much lithium is very important. Smart computers will help scientists find new things for batteries faster.
The new thing Microsoft and PNNL found is called N2116 and it's for keeping energy in batteries. Batteries with N2116 are safer than the ones we usually use. The smart computer at Microsoft uses lots of information to help find new things. This helps scientists at PNNL find good materials much quicker than the old way.
Original news source: New material found by AI could reduce lithium use in batteries (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Write down vocabulary words related to the article on separate pieces of paper. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a word without showing it to their team. They must then act out the word without speaking, while their team tries to guess the word. The team that guesses the word correctly earns a point.
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will take turns summarizing the article to their partner. They should include the main idea, key details, and any important vocabulary words. After each summary, partners can provide feedback and ask questions for clarification.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of vocabulary words from the article. One student from each group will draw a picture on the board to represent one of the words, while their group members try to guess the word. The group that guesses the word correctly earns a point. Rotate roles within the group until all the words have been guessed.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a timer (e.g. one minute). One student will start summarizing the article to their partner, trying to include as much information as possible within the given time. When the timer goes off, the roles switch and the other student tries to summarize the article based on what they heard from their partner. After both students have had a turn, they can compare their summaries and discuss any differences.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Discuss the pros and cons of using smart computers to find new things for batteries. Each group should make a list of at least three pros and three cons. After the discussion, groups can share their lists with the class and have a class discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of using smart computers in scientific research.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Microsoft and PNNL made a new thing for batteries using smart computers.
It is important to find a new thing for batteries that doesn't need much lithium because we might not have enough lithium soon, and getting it from the ground can hurt the earth.
The new thing is called N2116.
The smart computer at Microsoft helps scientists at PNNL find good materials much quicker than the old way.
Batteries with N2116 are safer than the ones we usually use because they use less lithium, which can be dangerous if not handled properly.
Some things that need batteries with lithium are cars and phones.
People are worried about not having enough lithium soon because it is a limited resource and getting it from the ground can harm the environment.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Microsoft and a science called PNNL made a new thing for using smart computers. This new thing could use a lot less of a metal called lithium. The smart computer looked at lots of possible things and picked the best really fast. They a battery that worked in less than a year. Lots of things we use, like cars and phones, need batteries with . People are worried because we might not have lithium soon, and getting it from the ground can hurt the earth. Finding a new thing for batteries that doesn't much lithium is very important. Smart will help scientists find new things for batteries faster. The new thing Microsoft and PNNL is called N2116 and it's for keeping energy in batteries. Batteries with N2116 are safer than the ones we usually use. The smart computer at Microsoft lots of information to help find new . This helps scientists at find good materials much quicker than the old way.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is a smart computer and how does it help scientists?
2. How would you feel if we didn't have enough lithium for batteries?
3. Do you think it's important to find new things for batteries that don't need much lithium? Why or why not?
4. What are some things that use batteries with lithium?
5. How do you think getting lithium from the ground can hurt the earth?
6. Do you like the idea of using smart computers to find new things for batteries? Why or why not?
7. What is N2116 and what is it used for?
8. How are batteries with N2116 different from the ones we usually use?
9. Do you think batteries with N2116 are safer? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the smart computer at Microsoft helps scientists at PNNL?
11. What do you think are some other ways smart computers can be used to help scientists?
12. Why do you think it's important to find good materials for batteries quickly?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
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π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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