Welcome to Nanoscience: Interdisciplinary Environmental Explorations, Grades 9–12
Price at time of review: $25.95 171 pp.
Facilitators who read and implement the lessons in this book will be better able to imagine a world in which everyone has clean water to drink, there is no hunger, there are abundant energy resources, and medical advances cure fearful diseases. This dream relies on a small, small science—nanoscience or nanotechnology.
The possibilities are indeed mind-boggling, and they present challenges to our educational system to prepare students for the opportunities this technology will provide in a global economy.
Sounds like science fiction! But in 1959, Richard Feynman predicted such advances in a lecture entitled “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom.” This book gives vital information about the development of nanoscience, and the manner in which it can be applied in the core science curriculum across grade levels is explained. Predictions are made on the relationship and impact of this technology on all aspects of our society; it has the potential to dwarf the Industrial Revolution. Nanoscience/nanotechnology is a facet of technological development that will change the way we live, work, and communicate.
The book first introduces the Nano2Earth curriculum and gives tips for using the book, which has two major divisions. The five chapters in Part I give background information, including a Nano primer, historical and societal aspects, and an explanation of the relationship of nanotechnology to a vital environmental issue. A thorough overview of each lesson of the Nano2Earth curriculum and the correlation to specific National Science Education Standards are clearly delineated. A concise discussion describes the commitment of private corporations and government agencies throughout the world to invest in research and development of this technology.
Part II focuses on the Nano2 Earth curriculum, which consists of five interdisciplinary lessons/modules that use the 5-E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) and KWL (Know, Wonder, Learn) charts. In each lesson, the purpose, background information, procedures, materials, and data charts are clearly defined. All of the lessons are designed to introduce students to nanotechnology through investigations in microbe-mineral interactions in groundwater pollution. The curriculum is flexible, easily adaptable to different classroom situations, and includes information related to computer simulation programs that can be downloaded.
The appendix correlates the National Science Education Standards and AP environmental science themes to Nano2Earth lessons. Detailed definitions/paragraphs of scientific and technical terms are listed in the glossary, and an index is included. Throughout the text, numerous references are listed. Data sheets, maps, charts, pictures and diagrams, estimated time for each activity, answer keys, and science safety notes are provided.
This is a new field for many educators. Facilitators will need in-service training in grades 9–12 in order to incorporate nanoscience lessons into their classes. In addition, colleges and universities need to reexamine and design courses of study for science teachers to prepare them to meet the challenges of interdisciplinary lessons in nanoscience. This book would be a great place to start.
Fonte: NSTA
by Andrew Madden, Michael Hochella Jr.,
George Glasson, Julie Grady, Tracy Bank,
André Green, Mary Norris, Andrew Hurst,
Susan Eriksson
George Glasson, Julie Grady, Tracy Bank,
André Green, Mary Norris, Andrew Hurst,
Susan Eriksson
Price at time of review: $25.95 171 pp.
NSTA Press Arlington, VA 2011
ISBN: 9781936137329
Grade Level: 9-12
Reviewed by Jean Worsley Retired Biology Teacher
Facilitators who read and implement the lessons in this book will be better able to imagine a world in which everyone has clean water to drink, there is no hunger, there are abundant energy resources, and medical advances cure fearful diseases. This dream relies on a small, small science—nanoscience or nanotechnology.
The possibilities are indeed mind-boggling, and they present challenges to our educational system to prepare students for the opportunities this technology will provide in a global economy.
Sounds like science fiction! But in 1959, Richard Feynman predicted such advances in a lecture entitled “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom.” This book gives vital information about the development of nanoscience, and the manner in which it can be applied in the core science curriculum across grade levels is explained. Predictions are made on the relationship and impact of this technology on all aspects of our society; it has the potential to dwarf the Industrial Revolution. Nanoscience/nanotechnology is a facet of technological development that will change the way we live, work, and communicate.
The book first introduces the Nano2Earth curriculum and gives tips for using the book, which has two major divisions. The five chapters in Part I give background information, including a Nano primer, historical and societal aspects, and an explanation of the relationship of nanotechnology to a vital environmental issue. A thorough overview of each lesson of the Nano2Earth curriculum and the correlation to specific National Science Education Standards are clearly delineated. A concise discussion describes the commitment of private corporations and government agencies throughout the world to invest in research and development of this technology.
Part II focuses on the Nano2 Earth curriculum, which consists of five interdisciplinary lessons/modules that use the 5-E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) and KWL (Know, Wonder, Learn) charts. In each lesson, the purpose, background information, procedures, materials, and data charts are clearly defined. All of the lessons are designed to introduce students to nanotechnology through investigations in microbe-mineral interactions in groundwater pollution. The curriculum is flexible, easily adaptable to different classroom situations, and includes information related to computer simulation programs that can be downloaded.
The appendix correlates the National Science Education Standards and AP environmental science themes to Nano2Earth lessons. Detailed definitions/paragraphs of scientific and technical terms are listed in the glossary, and an index is included. Throughout the text, numerous references are listed. Data sheets, maps, charts, pictures and diagrams, estimated time for each activity, answer keys, and science safety notes are provided.
This is a new field for many educators. Facilitators will need in-service training in grades 9–12 in order to incorporate nanoscience lessons into their classes. In addition, colleges and universities need to reexamine and design courses of study for science teachers to prepare them to meet the challenges of interdisciplinary lessons in nanoscience. This book would be a great place to start.
| Type of Product: | NSTA Press Book (also see downloadable PDF version of this book) |
| Publication Date: | 6/1/2011 |
| Pages: | 171 |
| Stock Number: | PB296X |
| ISBN: | 978-1-936137-32-9 |
| Grade Level: | High School |
| Read Inside: | Read a sample chapter: Introduction to Nanotechnology |
Fonte: NSTA
