Teaching nanotechnology as a framework of social inclusion, empowerment, and deep learning

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an emergent technology that manipulates matter at nanometer scale (1 × 10−9 m). The introductory course of nanotechnology is at the core of the chemical engineering program for senior students at Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano in Colombia. In the nanotechnology syllabus, synthesis, characterization and application of nanomaterials are studied. In the middle of the course, blind students from high school were invited to participate in a class of characterization of nanomaterials, in order to share experience about nanotechnology concepts (senior students) and experience of life as a blind person. Because characterization of nanomaterials is a blind manipulation, due its atomic size, it is suitable activity for both the sighted and the visually impaired. Thus, the experience and different capabilities of blind students were of great interest to seniors that needed to learn above other possibilities and opportunities within characterization of nanomaterials. The visit of blind students made for a significant and emotive characterization class, specifically related to the concept and use of the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), which is known as a blind tool. Similarly, there was an empowerment of blind students in studying science such as physics or chemistry, because from their life experience, they can give another perception of materials that are invisible for all of us and very few of them have been successfully educated in science at different education levels, because there is not a clear social inclusion of this population within different capabilities in education and research at least in Colombia. Last but not least, senior students of the course of Project Management of systems engineering program at Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano managed the project and processed the scope, budget, schedule, logistics and tools to successfully carry out this activity, as a Problem-Based-Learning (PBL) activity of this course.