The making of nanotechnology: exposing high-school students to behind-the-scenes of nanotechnology by inviting them to a nanotechnology conference

Abstract Nanotechnology has been recognized in the 21st century as a new and modern science field. It is therefore necessary to update school science by integrating nanotechnology-related concepts into curricula for students in order to prepare an educated workforce and a responsible generation that will make scientifically literate decisions. The current study examines a unique way to address the teaching of the concept “the making of nanotechnology,” one of eight essential concepts of nanotechnology that should be taught in high school and at the undergraduate level, which were identified by a recent study. The concepts’ definition and explanation are presented. The main goal of the study is to learn how students’ participation in a one-day nanotechnology conference “NanoIsrael 2014”1 NanoIsrael is a bi-annual conference and exhibition about nanotechnology, as will be described later in the paper. influences their perceptions regarding the concept “the making of nanotechnology”. We compared students who had previous knowledge of nanotechnology and those who lacked it. The results of the study showed that the students’ participation in the conference influenced their emotional perspectives, their knowledge concerning nanotechnology, as well as their curiosity and interest in science. The conference also influenced the students’ motivation and future plans. Differences between the two groups were found mainly regarding their understanding of the basic concepts of nanotechnology.

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