SimplyNano convinced the jury
The Swiss award for outstanding engineering achievements in construction was given out for the fourth time this year. A high-caliber, independent jury made up of representatives from business, research, science and development, as well as from the federal administration and engineering sector, had made 25 nominations in five categories from previously submitted dossiers. The jury, headed by Prof. Dr. Sarah M. Springman, rector of ETH Zurich and Professor of Geotechnical Engineering, selected the winners in the various categories. The SimplyNano project won in the category "Promotion of young talent in the field of technology". The award recognizes the convincing concept, the high-quality didactic content and the generous support of numerous companies and foundations.
The future belongs to the children!
With SimplyNano, the SimplyScience Foundation, which gave the project its name, aims to spark young people's enthusiasm for scientific and technical subjects and for technical professions, and securing the next generation of skilled workers in Switzerland. This is achieved by means of exciting experiments with nanotechnology - SimplyNano thus pursues an integrative approach in the promotion of young talent on three levels:
- the novel experiments inspire students - in particular young women – for science and technology
- teachers are trained at educational workshops
- these workshops take place at companies that support SimplyNano and provide a chance for networking between teachers and trainers.
This concept was particularly convincing to the jury. In her laudation, Clementine Hegner-van Rooden said:
"High school children are motivated to deal with the nanoscale - just at the moment of choosing a profession. On a didactic but very specific level, this awakens a sensitivity for a field that has so far been little known at this level and hopefully raises creative specialists for our professional world. Because in every innovative idea there is a core of creativity and curiosity. The future belongs to the children."
Thanks to the financial support of partners and sponsors, all components of the teaching medium can be made available to schools free of charge.
