Comments on: Enough with the nano already! http://2020science.org/2009/09/18/enough-with-the-nano-already/ Providing a clear perspective on developing science and technology responsibly Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:52:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Vrishali http://2020science.org/2009/09/18/enough-with-the-nano-already/comment-page-1/#comment-27655 Vrishali Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:25:22 +0000 http://2020science.org/?p=2218#comment-27655 This perspective does explain why the otherwise articulate (speaking for myself) have to twist themselves into pretzels to talk about it. This is particularly difficult for those of us who like science and believe in its promise. We are stuck in between liking science and using the most politicized, hyped and ill constructed epithets to talk about it. This perspective does explain why the otherwise articulate (speaking for myself) have to twist themselves into pretzels to talk about it. This is particularly difficult for those of us who like science and believe in its promise. We are stuck in between liking science and using the most politicized, hyped and ill constructed epithets to talk about it.

]]> By: Andrew Maynard http://2020science.org/2009/09/18/enough-with-the-nano-already/comment-page-1/#comment-27648 Andrew Maynard Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:27:59 +0000 http://2020science.org/?p=2218#comment-27648 Thanks Troy. Interesting thoughts on when to get kids used to the idea of scale, especially at the nanoscale - I hadn't thought of the challenge of teaching formally against background "noise" - I assume this is an increasing issue as kids are exposed to an increasing flood of information (not all helpful) outside the classroom. At NISE Net, I was concerned about trying to introduce complex topics like quantum confinement to kids before they had a framework withing which to understand it - leading to teaching phenomena rather than principles (as in "wow, it does this!" rather than "it does this because..."). But I can see the need to provide some sense of what is going on at an early age, so that inappropriate ideas don't lodge too firmly! Thanks Troy.

Interesting thoughts on when to get kids used to the idea of scale, especially at the nanoscale – I hadn’t thought of the challenge of teaching formally against background “noise” – I assume this is an increasing issue as kids are exposed to an increasing flood of information (not all helpful) outside the classroom.

At NISE Net, I was concerned about trying to introduce complex topics like quantum confinement to kids before they had a framework withing which to understand it – leading to teaching phenomena rather than principles (as in “wow, it does this!” rather than “it does this because…”). But I can see the need to provide some sense of what is going on at an early age, so that inappropriate ideas don’t lodge too firmly!

]]> By: Troy Dassler http://2020science.org/2009/09/18/enough-with-the-nano-already/comment-page-1/#comment-27639 Troy Dassler Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:09:41 +0000 http://2020science.org/?p=2218#comment-27639 I agree, the dragonfly tv folks have done an amazing job with the videos and teacher guides. I liked your question on Tuesday at the NISE Net workshop bringing up the appropriateness of the nano scale in K-12 education. I have been in contact with a few educators about this over the last few years. I have taken the approach (as a first grade teacher) that there are specific skills and concept development that needs to happen when children are developmentally "ready" for higher level understanding of complex ideas. I see that my role is to assure that students have the knowledge necessary to advance to the next level. (See AAAS atlas maps) I really wish there were more studies of child understanding of scale. The other obstacle that we have is that children are learning about the nano scale on the street. They are learning a lot of misinformation about nanotechnology. Comic books, cartoons, video games are all talking about nanobots and grey goo that envelops the world on a very macro scale. As an educator, it is a lot easier to teach about new technology than it is to undo years of misinformation and fiction. So, I have been debating with educators about the appropriateness of introducing the nanoscale at an earlier age than would be developmentally appropriate. Just some random thoughts. Thanks again for the discussion about nano toxicity. I agree, the dragonfly tv folks have done an amazing job with the videos and teacher guides. I liked your question on Tuesday at the NISE Net workshop bringing up the appropriateness of the nano scale in K-12 education. I have been in contact with a few educators about this over the last few years. I have taken the approach (as a first grade teacher) that there are specific skills and concept development that needs to happen when children are developmentally “ready” for higher level understanding of complex ideas. I see that my role is to assure that students have the knowledge necessary to advance to the next level. (See AAAS atlas maps) I really wish there were more studies of child understanding of scale.

The other obstacle that we have is that children are learning about the nano scale on the street. They are learning a lot of misinformation about nanotechnology. Comic books, cartoons, video games are all talking about nanobots and grey goo that envelops the world on a very macro scale. As an educator, it is a lot easier to teach about new technology than it is to undo years of misinformation and fiction. So, I have been debating with educators about the appropriateness of introducing the nanoscale at an earlier age than would be developmentally appropriate.

Just some random thoughts.

Thanks again for the discussion about nano toxicity.

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