This publication has been developed within the context of the research developed by the Europeanproject NANOYOU, funded by the European Union’s seventh framework programme (FP7, grantagreement n° 233433). It has been enriched by the authors with numerous and multifaceted inputs,reflections and insights on societal issues, also provided by the European project TimeforNano.(FP7, grant agreement n° 233481).
The outcomes from all these efforts have been integrated and edited into an overall and fully referencedbook, showing how to address nanosciences and nanotechnologies concepts and applications.It has been specifically developed to present in a single, balanced compendium, much of the relevantand valuable educational material that will help inform, motivate and inspire young people about nanotechnologies and their applications. Theory, application and experiments in nanosciences and nanotechnologies are organised in self-contained modules that offer increased flexibility throughout the development of the course. Moreover, a case study approach provides teachers with practical applications andexamples to discuss in class.
The programme focuses on three application fields — information and communication technologies,energy and environment, and medicine — and also addresses the associated ethical, societal, legaland safety aspects to encourage further dialogue. Resources and training materials are available toeducators, supported, also, by online tutor web portals where young people and educators can activelyparticipate in virtual dialogues, experiments and games.The lessons, discussions on applications and experiments presented in this book have been tested byteachers, professors and educators from about one thousand schools (50 pilot schools and 906 ancillary schools) in 20 European countries from 2010 to 2011, reaching about 40.000 students. This experience allowed for feedback and enriched this book with many comments and contributions, enablingto produce the final and inclusive version.
