On the "knife's nano-edge” Teachers experiment at Victori-nox
From spring 2023, all secondary schools in the canton of Schwyz will be provided with free "SimplyNano 2" experiment kits. The aim is to get young people excit-ed about nature and technology and the corresponding professions with exciting experiments on nanotechnology. The first training course for teachers recently took place at Victorinox AG in Schwyz/Ibach. During a tour of the apprentice workshop, the teachers were given an insight into the various teaching profes-sions at Victorinox AG.
Fostering enthusiasm for STEM subjects
The SimplyNano 2 project has the goal of promoting enthusiasm for STEM subjects among young people in the upper school. The SimplyNano 2 kits contain materials and documentation with which students can conduct exciting experiments on nanotechnology and experience it as an interdisciplinary everyday technology. The project also aims to build a bridge between school and professional practice. For this reason, the introductory courses for teachers take place at interesting company locations. Victorinox AG provided an extremely exciting setting for the further education course on 26 April 2023.
Apprenticeships with a passion for technology and craftsmanship
In keeping with the Victorinox philosophy of "challenge through encouragement", Toni Blaser, Head of the Apprenticeship Department at Victorinox AG, provided comprehensive information on the various apprenticeship professions. Victorinox AG trains 56 apprentices in 11 different professions. On a tour, the participants experienced the various production techniques used to make knives. Here, apprentices have the unique opportunity to get to know all the production steps from start to finish directly on site. In addition to technical professions such as polymechanic, automation technician or plant operator, the company is also interested in traditional crafts. Toni Blaser is passionately committed to ensuring that the valuable knowledge of the art of cutlery can be passed on to the next generation in a sustainable manner. As the largest knife manufacturer in Switzerland, Victorinox AG trains one of four apprentice cutlers in Switzerland, thus helping to ensure that this craft is not lost. The presentation of these and other professions aroused great interest among the participants.
How does a smoke detector work?
The teachers were then able to carry out individual experiments from the SimplyNano 2 experiment kit on their own. The air-cushion-forming plant Salvinia molesta was enthusiastically examined, and the adhesion of a mobile phone to the gecko pad was tested. A smoke detector was used to explore the Tyndall effect. According to feedback from those present, the simple but illustrative experiments were found to be extremely exciting. With little material effort, the SimplyNano experiments can be used to inspire pupils to engage in exploratory learning. Experiments with "wow effects" or ""top materials" were feedback from the participants.
Successful start of the "Simply Nano 2" project in Canton Schwyz
The continuing education course was the first of a total of three courses in the canton of Schwyz. The remaining two course dates (14.06.23 and 21.06.23) also met with broad interest, but there are still places available for those interested.
As part of the "Project Schwyz", all secondary schools in the canton of SZ will be equipped with class sets of a total of 200 SimplyNano 2 experiment cases. The project is funded by the Asuera and Dimitris N. Chorafas Foundations. Schwyz is the first canton in central Switzerland where all schools will be equipped with experimental kits.
Source: Innovation Society
Image source: Innovation Society
04.05.2023