Nov 27 2008
A new Commonwealth government educational resource AccessNano is being launched this week to provide accessible and innovative pathways for teaching science and technology in Australian secondary schools.
"AccessNano is a stand-out example of a new approach to teaching science. It blends 21st century science and technology with the essential enabling disciplines, resulting in a fresh and exciting experience for all science students."
Francesca Calati, AccessNano designer, science teacher and winner of the 2007 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
The Honourable Julia Gillard MP (Deputy Prime Minister) will launch AccessNano at the 2008 Science Teachers Conference of Victoria Conference.
Date: Friday 28th November
Time: 2.30-3.30pm
Venue: Agora Theatre, La Trobe University (Bundoora Campus)
AccessNano is an Australian government initiative funded through the Australian Office of Nanotechnology, under the department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research in working with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. It was produced by Bridge8 Pty Ltd (www.bridge8.com.au) in close collaboration with science teachers Francesca Calati (La Trobe University, VIC) and Dr Amanda Clarke (Balwyn High School, VIC). The resource benefited from contributions from other science teachers and representatives from nanotechnology-related industry and academia across Australia, including Nanotechnology Victoria, La Trobe University, Flinders University, Monash University, Deakin University, RMIT, GM Holden Ltd. and AZoNano.com.
AccessNano provides teachers with accessible and versatile web-based materials for teaching nanotechnology in the classroom. Topics covered fit into current Australian curricula requirements, and include teaching units for years 7-11 targeted at:
- Understanding nanotechnology
- The critical role of nanotechnology in technology, innovation and design in the Australian arena
- Health & medicine including drug delivery, imaging & diagnostics;
- The use of nanotechnology in cosmetics and personal care products such as sun screens
- The social implications of nanotechnology and other emerging technologies.