Nanoscience in the k-12 classroom: More Needed than Ever

Abstract

Effat Zeidan Hatoum

The topic of nanoscience and nanotechnology has gained popularity in the last decade with the widespread of its various applications to daily used products and services. This has led to an increased interest by the public to learn more about this unique and small world. However, there is still a significant lack in comprehensively defining the field of nanoscience and understanding its fundamental laws that govern the behavior of particles at the very small nanoscale. It has been noticed from several in-person as well as virtual interactions with educators in the sciences that there is an increased interest in inquiring more about the field and how it is impacting our lives with its ongoing advancements to various aspects of our lives. This was more prominent during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic season as nanoscience and nanotechnology have taken a central role in understanding the disease progression, providing early detection tools as well their significant involvement in vaccine development. I have taken a role in multiple initiatives to illuminate on the involvement of nanotechnology in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and have concluded that there is greater need than ever to integrate the subject matter to the k-12 classroom and educate our future generations on this incredible unique Nano world. Here we will review the need to introduce the fundamental knowledge of nanotechnology into the education curriculum, while emphasizing on its usefulness in fighting infectious diseases such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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