With the SimplyNano-2 learning medium, young people can discover the world of nanotechnology through exciting experiments. At the training course in Rotkreuz, Zug teachers learned why, for example, a diaper is in the experiment kit. Cantonal Councillor Stephan Schleiss also took an interest in the experiments, emphasizing the importance of the project and praising the cases as a valuable tool for getting young people interested in STEM professions.
Starting with a diaper: This experiment kit is designed to get young people excited about STEM careers
Young people at secondary school are to be made aware of relevant topics through experiments in the fields of mathematics, information technology, natural sciences and technology (STEM). A suitcase provides valuable support for this project.
Marco Morosoli
28.11.2024, 17.00 hrs
Suitability test and experimentation: Zug teachers try out the SimplyNano 2 case.
Image: Stefan Kaiser (Rotkreuz, 27.11.2024)
In 1601, the Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi (1571-1610) painted a picture in which the apostle Thomas can be seen placing his fingers in Jesus’ chest wound. Thomas wants to see and touch to make sure that everything is really as it seems. Merisi, better known as “Caravaggio”, shows this action impressively.
The famous Italian early Baroque artist had no idea about nanoparticles and the like. This science is a young one. At secondary school level, a teaching aid in the form of a suitcase is now available throughout the canton of Zug. In this plastic container, teachers will find the basics of 41 different experiments. The program is completed with learning materials in paper form and on USB.
The experiment with an aha effect
The teacher’s commentary is more comprehensive, as it contains the formulated solutions in addition to the tasks. The experiments are structured in such a way that the pupils are not just moving dry matter, but can experience the experiments with all their senses. At an event for teachers on Wednesday afternoon, November 27, at Novartis in Rotkreuz, the team behind the SimplyNano project(www.simplynano.ch) introduced those present to the subject matter. This was done – unsurprisingly – with an experiment that produced an “aha” effect afterwards.
Ricarda Zech explains what each experiment is all about.
Image: Stefan Kaiser (Rotkreuz, 27.11.2024)
It all started with a diaper. This had to be opened professionally in order to extract the absorbent material. This ended up – after weighing – in a container. The presenter of the experiment, Ricarda Zech, then took a bottle of water mixed with food coloring and poured it into the diaper component. The amazing thing: The water changed its aggregate state. What remained was a viscous substance. This is made possible by polyacrylic acid.
This is a synthetically produced compound that usually comes in the form of a white powder. Thanks to its highly branched surface structure in the nano range, it is able to bind a great deal of moisture. A practical effect for diapers. Zech then dismissed the teachers so that they could continue experimenting. She concluded her presentation with the words: “Have fun being amazed.” And the participants did so almost every second.
Councillor Stefan Schleiss marveled with
Zug’s Director of Education Stephan Schleiss also took part in the diaper experiment in the plenary session. Like the others, he must have been amazed. As the cantonal councillor noted in his brief speech, these suitcases are a good tool for getting young people interested in the wide range of careers in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) sector. For example, Jan Depta (Head Value, Access & External Affairs) from Novartis explained that Novartis invests around CHF 4.5 billion a year in research in Switzerland. This requires qualified specialists in a wide range of professions to ensure that something great is created. According to Christoph Meili, developer of the suitcase and head of the SimplyNano project, these professionals contribute to value creation within Switzerland.
Director of Education Stefan Schleiss also wants to know – and takes the “diaper test”.
Image: zvg (Rotkreuz, 27.11.2024)
The course participants seemed to like what was on offer. First they have to experiment a little themselves. The canton of Zug is not exactly a locomotive in the nano sector. Rather, the people of Zug are continuing a nationwide trend. The other cantons of Central Switzerland have also jumped on the bandwagon – or rather the wagon. Christoph Meili, the man behind the innovation company, emphasizes that the number of Simply Nano cases (currently 1072) continues to grow. The teaching aid with a link to Curriculum 21 is an innovation “Made in Switzerland”.
The nano sector – nano is the Greek word for dwarf – has all the prerequisites to become something big. This branch of research is at the beginning, not the end.
Source: Marco Morosoli
Image source: Stefan Kaiser
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