Successful nano course at Leister AG
Teachers from Obwalden, Zug and Lucerne were impressed by the SimplyNano experiment kits. They received an introductory course on the “SimplyNano 2” learning media. As guests at the Leister company in Kägiswil, they took away useful input for the classroom as well as exciting information on technical apprenticeships.
Nano experiments to amaze How do babies stay dry in diapers? Why does water roll off a rain jacket? The answer: nanotechnology! SimplyNano 2 inspires young people for science subjects with exciting, everyday nano-experiments. From this school year, pupils in Obwalden will be able to work with the new experiment kits.
The learning medium includes 41 experiments, a learning workshop and all the necessary materials. Whether in science and technology lessons, in project weeks or for the promotion of gifted children – it can be used in a variety of ways. Feedback from other cantons has been consistently positive: SimplyNano 2 fascinates and inspires!
Enthusiastic teachers at Leister
On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, an introductory course for 18 teachers took place at Leister AG in Kägiswil. The company, known for its plastic welding applications, not only offered the participants exciting insights into its work, but also a platform for networking.
“Far too few people know that being a physics lab technician is such a cool apprenticeship,” said Jaël Krummenacher. She and another apprentice informed the teachers about the eight different apprenticeships offered by the Leister Group.
“We accompany our apprentices all the way to the top of the world,” says Erika Windlin, Head of Training at Leister. In addition to numerous apprentices, she has supported the career path of young biathlete Annina Zberg.
The networking of schools and companies is a central pillar of the SimplyNano project and an important step against the shortage of skilled workers in technical professions.
Broad sponsorship
In the main part of the course, the teachers were allowed to carry out the experiments in the SimplyNano case themselves. “It was great to try out the experiments!”, “appealing material” or “very versatile and directly applicable in the classroom” were the feedback from the participants. The teachers gratefully accepted the cases and documents for their schools.
The project is financed by a wide range of sponsors: over 40 partners from companies, foundations and associations make SimplyNano 2 possible – and it’s free of charge for the schools! The Leister Foundation is one of the main partners in the canton of Obwalden.
Following the project in Central Switzerland, further projects are planned in the cantons of Bern, Fribourg and Schaffhausen. The aim is to use the SimplyNano experiment kits in upper secondary schools throughout German-speaking Switzerland.
Source: Innovation Society
Image source: Innovation Society