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2nd edition of the PCB’s “Teacher Training Course on Nanotechnologies”

By 19 de July de 2011November 18th, 2020No Comments
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 19.07.2011

2nd edition of the PCB’s “Teacher Training Course on Nanotechnologies”

On July 14, the second edition of the "Teacher Training Course on Nanotechnologies", organized by the Technical Directorate of Scientific Dissemination of the PCB, together with the CESIRE-CDEC of the Department of Education of the Generalitat de Catalonia, was held at the OpenLab of the Barcelona Science Park. The aim of this training programme –which is framed within the «Nanoyou» European project and is the first of its type in Spain- is to provide teachers with resources to teach the subject of nanotechnologies in the classroom.


The course provided teachers with a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about the different didactic tools developed by «Nanoyou» and how to use them in the classroom. One of the tools that were presented were experiment protocols, which attendees used to perform three specific activities: using gold nanoparticles as colorimetric sensors, experimenting with the properties of superhydrophobe materials and discovering natural nanomaterials. Participants also had the opportunity to interact with games that promoted dialogue and debate regarding the ethical, legal and social aspects of the nanosciences. In addition, nanotechnologists participated in the workshop offering participants an introduction to nanotechnologies and their applications.

«Nanoyou» (from Nanotechnology for Youth) is a project funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission which aims to increase society’s basic knowledge on nanotechnologies and to participate in the dialogue regarding its ethical, legal and social aspects. The portal offers educational centres different educational resources –such as workshops, animations, virtual games, experiments and other online contents- to increase the knowledge that European youth have regarding this field, to foster scientific vocations and to promote the social acceptance of these new technologies, at a time when their applications are emerging. Since it was launched, in mid 2009, the portal has received more than 150,000 visits and educational centers from over 100 countries worldwide have participated in it.

«Nanoyou» is one of the multiple initiatives promoted by the science dissemination programme «Research in Society» of the Barcelona Science Park, which organizes over 120 free in-classroom activities in which nearly 6,000 people participate each year. Recently, this programme has also incorporated «Xplore Health», the first European portal aimed at the secondary educational community –co-funded by the European Commission, the “la Caixa” Social Work programme and the Amgen Foundation- which offers innovative multimedia resources and tools with the aim of facilitating the organization of activities for the dissemination of biomedical research to museums and schools throughout Europe.