 |
Nanotechnology and the National Science Education Standards
Inclusion of nanotechnology in the science curriculum will foster
interdisciplinary explorations of science in K12 curriculum.
Nanotechnology uses science on the nanoscale, which occurs at the scale
of atoms and molecules. Because nanotechnology is an emerging
interdisciplinary field, it can be included in physical science,
chemistry, physics, biology, environmental sciences, and engineering.
Nanotechnology provides connections between and among the sciences that
will help students to develop an understanding of the relationships
between disciplines. Many teachers have questioned where this field
fits into national and local science standards and how something that
occurs at the atomic and molecular level can actually be addressed in
the K12 science curriculum. In general, nanotechnology fits into
current science curriculum because it relies on numerous science
concepts and processes which are part of the National Science Education
Standards. Summarized below is where nanoscale science can be addressed
in the National Science Standards:
Science Content Standards K4: At this level, students may not
be able to understand the concepts of atoms and molecules, but they are
developing the foundation for more advanced understanding of science in
middle and high school. Important foundations to be addressed at this
level include addressing the following standards:
- Science as Inquiry including ability to do and understand scientific inquiry
- Physical Science including properties of objects and materials, position and motion of objects and light, heat and electricity
- Life Science including organisms and environments.
- Science and Technology including distinguishing between
natural and man-made object, ability of technological design, and
understanding about science and technology.
- Science in Personal and Social Perspectives including changes in environments and science and technology in local challenges.
- History and Nature of Science including science as a human endeavor
Science Content Standards 58: At this level, students begin
to understand science concepts at a higher level and are capable to
performing experiments/seeking information to understand these
concepts. While middle-level students are still not ready to
understand the world of atoms and molecules, they do develop a
knowledge about the characteristics of materials which is an important
component in understanding nanoscale science. Curriculum materials can
include information on nanotechnology that will address the following
standards:
- Science as Inquiry including ability to do and understand scientific inquiry
- Physical Science including properties and changes of properties in matter and light as well as transfer of energy
- Life Science including structure and function in living systems, regulation and behavior, and ecosystems
- Science and Technology including ability of technological design and understanding about science and technology
- Science in Personal and Social Perspectives including populations, resources, and environments, risks and benefits, and science and technology in society
- History and Nature of Science including science as a human endeavor, nature of science, and history of science
Science Content Standards 912: At this level,
students develop a rich knowledge base about the physical and life
sciences. They expand upon the knowledge learned in earlier grades to
understand the microscopic structures of materials and substances.
Chemical interactions, the chemical basis of life, and cell structure
and function all become part of the curriculum. Nanotechnology can be
included in a variety of high school curricular because of its
interdisciplinary nature and its relationship with the basic science
concepts taught in grades 912.
- Science as Inquiry including the abilities to do and understanding about scientific inquiry
- Physical Science including structure of atoms, structures
and properties of matter, chemical reactions, properties of light,
conservation of energy and increase in disorder, and interactions of
energy and matter.
- Life Science including the cell, matter, energy, and organization of living systems, behavior of organisms, and molecular basis of heredity.
- Science and Technology including ability of technological design and understanding about science and technology
- Science in Personal and Social Perspectives including
natural resources, environmental quality, natural and human-induced
hazards and science and technology in local, national, and global
challenges.
- History and Nature of Science including science as a human endeavor, nature of scientific knowledge, and historical perspectives.
|
 |
