Dec 4 2008
Science teachers and technophillic teenagers around Australia were thrilled last Friday to gain access to the innovative nanotechnology resource AccessNano. Launched on November 28th at the 2008 Science Teachers Association of Victoria Conference by The Honourable Julia Gillard, The Deputy Prime Minister praised the industry, educational, and government team that had supported the development of AccessNano, and commented:
"AccessNano is different to most other nanotechnology education initiatives available. It is not simply a collection of existing resources. It will provide our secondary school students with an integrated approach to learning about nanotechnology. It is accessible, versatile and cutting edge."
Produced by Bridge8 Pty Ltd in close collaboration with Francesca Calati (La Trobe University, Vic) and Dr Amanda Clark (Balwyn High School, Vic), 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. The relevance of AccessNano to the local arena and its suitability for the classroom has been prioritized through close collaboration of the development team with Australian science teachers and representatives from nanotechnology-related industry and academia, including Nanotechnology Victoria, La Trobe University, Flinders University, Monash University, Deakin University, RMIT, GM Holden Ltd and AZoNano.com.
AccessNano is presented in the form of 13 web-based modules, featuring PowerPoint presentations, experiments, activities, animations and links to interactive websites. Topics covered fit into current Australian curricula requirements, and include teaching units for years 7-11 targeted at:
- Scale and measurement;
- Understanding properties at the nanoscale;
- Performance materials such as carbon nanotubes, textiles, shape memory alloys & glass;
- Theoretical developments of the future, such as the Space Elevator
- Health & medicine including drug delivery, imaging & diagnostics;
- Cosmetics & personal care;
- The social implications of emerging technologies.
Francesca Calati, winner of the 2007 Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools, has been involved with AccessNano from its prior program SHINE to developing many of the modules.
Francesca said:
"AccessNano is exciting because it is meeting the challenge of addressing the national crisis in science education".
"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."
It is intended that AccessNano will be developed further in the coming months, including the creation of teaching units targeted at water, clean technologies, robotics and micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS).
Please contact [email protected] for further information.