I am pleased to announce that I will be presenting Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: A Multidisciplinary Teaching Frontier for The Scientist will be hosting the 2nd Global Summit and Expo on Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials (GSENN2022) in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 13–15 June 2022
Abstract
As part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the multi-disciplinary fields of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology hold the promise to profoundly change the way humanity lives, works and relates to one another. Nanoscience education, a multidisciplinary field, integrates diverse subjects such as surface science, electronics, organic chemistry, molecular biology, semiconductor physics, medicine, energy storage, engineering, microfabrication, molecular engineering, and more. Molecular sciences are poised to become a gateway to the future, promising advances from medical diagnostics to climate change. While there are nanoscience research centers such as the NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Networks, Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs), National Nanomanufacturing Networks, few educational programs exist locally and globally spanning across the full spectrum of educational levels from K–12 to postgraduate studies. Corporations, educational institutions, and education ministries alike are exploring frameworks and technological tools to facilitate STEM learning in schools and beyond. App innovation and gamification, digital literacy, VR and AR, SDP, and collaborative learning are leading educational trends in the 4IR. One characteristic that these new learning technologies share is that by enabling real-time behavior modification, knowledge transfer and learning can occur simultaneously. “The AI challenge is not just about educating more AI and computer experts, although that is important. It is also about building skills that AI cannot emulate. These are essential human skills such as teamwork, leadership, listening, staying positive, dealing with people and managing crises and conflict” [Owen, 2017: para. 2]. The US Department of Education’s mission statement focuses on promoting “student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access” [US Department of Education, 2021].
Nanoscience and nanotechnology will change interpreting the world and reshape educational philosophies while altering the pedagogies that underlie them. Economic growth, the durability of society, and sustainability for the 21st century and beyond need to be supported through a system of education that can anticipate societal and global changes. Therefore, it will be necessary to transform the modes of delivery that are part of the operations of educational institutions worldwide. Looking forward, corporations, educational institutions, and countries must extend the scope of their collective educational ambitions beyond classic declarative learner knowledge to the nurturing of the complex and creative processes of learners, coupled with digital literacy in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
This presentation focuses on cross-curricular learning models, virtual and augmented reality labs, professional teacher development, and free educational resources aimed at promoting student awareness of nanoscience and nanotechnology as well as providing advanced learning and skills development.
Dr. Jasmin (Bey) Cowin
Keywords: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, educational transformation, pedagogical frameworks, 21st-century education, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Augmented and Virtual reality Labs
References
[1] Committee On Stem Education of the National Science & Technology Council. (2018, 12). Charting a Course for Success: America’s Strategy for STEM Education. Charting a Course for Success: America’s Strategy for STEM Education. from STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan.pdf
[2] Owen, J. (2017, 12 11). Education must transform to make people ready for AI. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/ab5daa64-d100-11e7-947e-f1ea5435bcc7
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