Learning about nano-chemistry - teachers experiment at Vifor Pharma in St. Gallen
Since the 2020 school year, all St. Gallen high schools have been equipped with free "SimplyNano 2" experiment cases as part of the IT education program. Vifor Pharma has financially supported the project as a partner and facilitated a training course for teachers at the St. Gallen site. The experimentation and insight into the company were highly appreciated by the teachers.
Since the beginning of the 2020/2021 school year, the new "SimplyNano 2" experiment kit has been available free of charge to all secondary schools in the canton of St.Gallen for STEM subjects. The suitcase is a new, curriculum 21 compatible, optional learning medium with 32 exciting experiments, a learning workshop and all necessary documents, chemicals and materials. "SimplyNano 2" is a sub-project of the IT education program and is financed by the canton and a broad sponsorship of foundations and companies, including Vifor Pharma.
Nano experiments with a "wow" effect
Nanotechnology is the science of the very small. Because of their special properties, nanomaterials are not only used in science or medicine, but also in many everyday products such as cosmetics and textiles or in technology applications. With the harmless and amazing experiments, the students discover, among other things, how baby diapers with "superabsorbers" absorb extremely large amounts of liquid, how the "memory effect" works with metals, for example in braces, or why geckos with nano-structures on their feet can climb up walls. "SimplyNano 2" is a tried-and-tested learning medium that is very popular with teachers because, in addition to all the materials and chemicals, the case also contains all the documentation ready for use in the classroom. The documents are available in German, English and French and meet the requirements of the new Curriculum 21.
Encouraging enthusiasm for technology and promoting young talent
To ensure that the cases can be used in the classroom, free half-day introductory courses for teachers were offered by regional partner companies. This is also intended to promote the exchange of experience between teachers and companies. The final course took place on June 30 at Vifor Pharma in St. Gallen. The company employs over 300 people and 11 apprentices in technical and commercial professions at its St. Gallen site. As a global manufacturer of iron preparations, Vifor Pharma is interested in raising young people's awareness of science and technology at an early age. Mr. Manuel Senn, the site manager in St. Gallen, introduced the company and some of its products. Afterwards, the vocational trainers, Werner Agster (chemical laboratory technicians), Bernd Klosterkamp (chemical technologists) and Fabio Tassone (logistician) presented three technical apprenticeship professions. The course thus not only provided an insight into nano-experimentation, but at the same time built a bridge between schools and professional practice. This exchange was highly appreciated.
Broad project sponsorship
The "SimplyNano 2" experimental kit was developed by Innovationsgesellschaft, a St. Gallen-based start-up company, and published by the SimplyScience Foundation. The non-profit foundation aims to get children and young people interested in scientific and technical topics. The "SimplyNano 2" experimental kit will be available in all secondary schools throughout Switzerland over the next few years. For more information, visit: www.simplynano.ch, www.simplyscience.ch and www.innovationsgesellschaft.ch