This document discusses a nanotechnology curriculum for middle school students. It aims to inspire science education using nanotechnology studies. The curriculum was implemented in 400 schools across 20 countries, reaching over 25,000 students aged 11-18. It addresses challenges like teaching advanced nanotechnology topics at a middle school level and providing teacher training. Lessons include hands-on experiments, videos, and role-playing ethical dilemmas. A 30-hour blended learning mini-curriculum was developed for 9th grade covering topics like nanoparticles, nanodevices, and applications while integrating concepts from chemistry, physics, biology and other disciplines.

1. Nanotechnology course for middle school students - Inspiring science and technology education with nanotechnology studies
2ndScientixconference
October 25th2014
Dr. Nira Shimoni-Ayal –ORT Israel

2. You will be hearing about:
Why?
Why?
project
Nanotech. curriculum
Challenges & Solutions

3. What is Nano?
Nanometer (nm) = 1 millionth of a millimeter, 1 billionth of a meter
Nanoscience: 5-500 nm
Particles, fibres, layers
Atoms and molecules (chemistry) 0.1-2 nm
Microscopy: microns and milimeters
Nanoscience: the study of phenomena and manipulation of materials of sizes 5-500 nm, where properties differ significantly from those at a larger scale.

4. 25,000 students
4,000 young adults in science centers
Ages: 11-18
400 schools
20 countries
Ages:
19-25
-Nanofor Youth2009-2011

5. ORT Israel -4 European projects
1 Israeli project

6. Challenges of teaching NT
University level middle-school level
Frontier subjects: uncertainty and flux
Coping with an abstract field
Teaching without sacrificing basic science
Teacher training
Price: labs & materials

7. Why teach NT in school?
Lesson from GMO –Informed critical thinking citizens
Informed citizens critical thinking citizens rational decisions
Captive audience
Basic concepts

8. Lesson from GMO –Informed critical thinking citizens
Raises motivation for science studies
Why teach NT in school?
Socially relevant – dialogue about ethical, legal, social (ELSA) aspects
Attractive –new, exciting & relevant; real- life applications already on shelves

9. Lesson from GMO –Informed critical thinking citizens
Motivation for science studies
It’s there -Fits naturally in middle school scientific curriculum
Why teach NT in school?
Multidisciplinary
Properties of materials
Chemical bonds
Cell organelles

10. What can be taught?
Nanoscience& Nanotechnology basic literacy
•Nanoparticles
•Nanodevices
•Nanocomposites
•NanocrystallineMaterials
•Nanofibres
•Thin-films & Coatings
•Fullerenes & Carbon nanotubes
•Colloids
•Self-Cleaning coatings
•Integrated Circuits
•Solar cells
•Quantum Dots
•Nanomedicine
•NanoscaleDrug Delivery
•Nanometre
•Nanoscale
•Surface/Volume
•Biomimetics
•Self assembly
•Enhanced Properties:
Mechanical
Chemical Reactivity
Electrical and Thermal
Optical
•Nanoparticle's Toxicity

11. How can NT be taught?
Four basic models:
Extracurricular –Happenings, excellence classes
Enrichment of curriculum
Moduleswithin another subject
Stand-alonesubject

12. -Nanofor Youth
Solutions
Set of small components
Happenings; one day modules
Challenges tackled
middle-school level
frontier subjects
Coping with an abstract field
Not sacrificing basic science

13. -Strongest Features
Experiments
Role-Plays & Virtual dilemmas
Video
Scientific background

14. -Greatest problem
Mainly for strong knowledgeable teachers

15. Nanotechnology for 9th grade
30 hour Mini curriculum -Blended learning:
•E-learning
•Teacher presentations
•Experiments
Challenges tackled
Teacher training

16. Mapping the material 9th grade
Tackling:
Teaching without sacrificing basic science
University level middle-school level
•Nanoparticles
•Nanodevices
•Nanocomposites
•NanocrystallineMaterials
•Nanofibres
•Thin-films & Coatings
•Fullerenes & Carbon nanotubes
•Colloids
•Self-Cleaning coatings
•Integrated Circuits
•Solar cells
•Quantum Dots
•Nanomedicine
•NanoscaleDrug Delivery
•Nanometre
•Nanoscale
Surface/Volume
Biomimetics
Self assembly
Enhanced Properties:
•Mechanical
•Chemical Reactivity
•Electrical and Thermal
•Optical
Nanoparticle's Toxicity
Chemistry:
Chemical bonds
Carbon
Physics:
Uses of EM radiation
Biology:
Materials inside organisms
Hierarchic organization
Environmental science:
Effect of technology on eco- systems
NT literacy
9thgrade science studies

17. NT in Nature
Materials’ Properties
Orders of Magnitude
What is NT
Thefuture…
EthicalAspects
NT Applications
Processing& Viewing
NT in Nature
Materials’ Properties
Orders of Magnitude
What is NT
Thefuture…
EthicalAspects
NT Applications
Processingand Viewing
Nanotechnology for 9th grade
Mini curriculum -Blended learning:
What is NT
Orders of Magnitude
Materials’ Properties
NT in Nature
Processing/ Viewing
NT Applications
EthicalAspects
Thefuture…

18. How does this work?
Guided viewing –video part 2
Appendix 2
Raising interest
•Demonstration of orders of magnitude
•Units of measuremnt
•Nanometricrange and size
Classroom summary
Demonstration & discussion: How to measure nanometers?
Appendix 3
Interactive ICT environment
Test yourself –online
Self evaluation
Scale & Orders of Magnitude

19. How does this work?
•Demonstration of orders of magnitude
•Units of measuremnt
•Nanometricrange and size

20. How does this work?
•Demonstration of orders of magnitude
•Units of measuremnt
•Nanometricrange and size

21. How does this work?
Coping with an abstract field
Surface/volume
depends on size

22. Last challenges
Latest additions
•Teacher kit –materials and background
•Teacher community and hub
challenges
Teacher training
Frontier subjects
Price: labs & materials

23. Thank you for listening!
Niras@mapa.ort.org.il
Nano.ort.org.il