Reaching out to youth for a brighter nanotech future

For the European public to become more involved in future decision-making concerning the use of nanotechnology, EU citizens first need to be more informed about its potential and risks. The NANOYOU project was set up with EU funding to meet this challenge, targeting European youth.

The 'Communicating nanotechnology to European youth' (NANOYOU) project set out to implement a communication and outreach programme on the topic of nanotechnology. Primary project aims were to inform young people and encourage participation in dialogue on ethical, legal and societal aspects (ELSA) of the emerging technology.

School programmes targeted 11-to-18-year-olds in at least 20 EU Member States and Associated States, with additional programmes being offered in science centres, aimed at the 19-to-25-year age group. At the outset, (NANOYOU) expected to reach near on 30 000 students and young adults. The project focused on the sub-areas of medicine, energy and the environment, and information and communication technologies (ICT).

Project work began with a survey and requirements analysis. Research findings revealed that although young people generally have heard the term 'nano', they lack deeper understanding of the technology, beyond being able to name certain products and applications.

NANOYOU developed a set of education materials, including knowledge tools such as video, presentations and posters for introducing nanotechnologies, virtual experiments, a nanotechnology time-machine virtual game, and the 'What is NT?' workshop. Other tools developed were related to ELSA: a role-play workshop, presentation of virtual dilemmas, and three science-centre workshops.

Other project achievements include a teachers training kit and experiments. The kit comprises three modules, with the first two covering fundamental concepts in nanosciences and nanotechnologies, and applications of nanotechnologies in the three main theme areas. The third module is experimental in nature; it describes four laboratory experiments that give students and teachers firsthand experience of various interesting nanomaterials properties.

Training sessions, workshops, meetings and outreach activities also contributed to the success of the NANOYOU project. Assessment activities indicated that the project’s programme was well received — particularly the experimental component. Outreach activities succeeded in increasing awareness about nanotechnologies among students, who showed much concern about ELSA and were able to consider pros and cons.

Overall, NANOYOU had a meaningful impact on its specified target groups. Project tools and activities have moved young Europeans forward in discussions and developments central to nanotechnology and its use.

related link: http://cordis.europa.eu/result/brief/rcn/6651_en.html