TV report from TeleTop: Experimental set to counteract shortage of skilled workers
Nano experiments with “wow effect
Why is the gecko stuck to the ceiling? Why do babies lie dry in diapers? Or how does a COVID-19 vaccine get into the cells? With nanotechnology! It is the science of the very small and is regarded as the technology of the future par excellence. Whether in nature, in everyday life or in medicine: nanomaterials are found everywhere. This school year, 1,200 “SimplyNano 2” experiment kits will be made available to upper secondary schools in the canton of Zurich for nature and technology lessons. It is a hands-on, novel learning medium with 32 exciting experiments, a learning workshop and all necessary chemicals, materials and documentation. Teachers are familiarized with the new learning medium in courses.
Promote new technologies and girls
At today’s media conference, Zurich National Council member Philipp Kutter (Die Mitte), member of the Commission for Science, Education and Culture and mayor of Wädenswil, shed light on the project from the perspective of education policy. Under the title “Inspiring children – combating the shortage of skilled workers,” he drew a connection between inspiring science lessons in schools and motivated and innovative later professionals in the professional world. He said schools must keep pace with change while addressing the problems of the future, such as the shortage of skilled workers. “The “SimplyNano 2″ project is a lighthouse project for the Swiss educational landscape that should be implemented throughout Switzerland. In particular, we must succeed in getting more girls interested in scientific and technical professions.”
Nanomaterials in everyday life and medicine
Because of their special properties, nanomaterials are not only used in everyday products such as sun creams or textiles, but also in medicine. For example, Rahel Troxler Saxer, MD, Medical Director at Pfizer Switzerland, explained how the new mRNA COVID-19 vaccine uses nanotechnology to reach cells in the body. Currently, about 4.5 million people in Switzerland are vaccinated and benefit directly from the new vaccines. Nanotechnology is thus making a key contribution in the fight against the Corona pandemic.
Switzerland-wide deployment planned by 2025
After St. Gallen, Aargau and both Appenzells, the canton of Zurich is already the fifth canton in which the learning medium is made available to schools across the board. By the end of 2025, the experimental kits should be in use in secondary schools throughout Switzerland. The learning medium was developed by the SimplyScience Foundation and the Innovation Society. The project is supported by the Canton of Zurich with funds from the Lottery Fund and by a broad alliance of the following partners:
Adrian Weiss Foundation, AMGEN Switzerland AG, Asuera Foundation, Bärbel & Paul Geissbühler Foundation, Baugarten Foundation, Bülacher Industries, Burckhardt Compression AG, The Innovation Company, DOW Chemicals AG, Ernst Göhner Foundation, Fondation Dimitris N. Chorafas, Geistlich Pharma AG, Givaudan SA, Grütli Foundation, Hans Eggenberger Foundation, Helmut Fischer and A. Walther Foundation, Lottery Fund of the Canton of Zurich , Migros Kulturprozent, Mobiliar Versicherungen, Pfizer AG, Zurich, Rotary Club (RC) Au am Zürichsee, RC Dübendorf, RC Oberer Zürichsee, RC Schönenberg, RC Thalwil, RC Zurich , RC Zurich Unterland, RC Zurich-Limmattal, Schwyzer-Winiker Foundation, SimplyScience Foundation, Swiss Life Foundation “Perspectives”, Syngenta AG, TECAN AG, Vetropack AG, Zurich Chamber of Commerce
Further information: www.simplynano.ch