New Perspectives in Science Education
Nanotechnology in the Conetext of an Education for Sustainable Development: Perspectives for a Curricular School Innovation
Janina Dege, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry Education, Tammannstrasse 4, D-37077 Göttingen (Germany) (Germany)
Thomas Waitz, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry Education, Tammannstrasse 4, D-37077 Göttingen (Germany) (Germany)
Abstract
In order to face global problems like the shortage of resources and to enable a self-determined future, a sustainable development also in education is an indispensable and an international accepted aim. [1] For this purpose the UN General Assembly proclaimed the World Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). Even after the year 2014 the contents of this decade are still enormous relevant and “the necessary implementation of Education for Sustainable Development in all areas of education still faces significant challenges.” [2]
Education for Sustainable Development is an interdisciplinary concept affecting the three dimensions economy, ecology and social issues [3] whereas the subject chemistry plays an important role in implementing this concept in school settings. [4] A suitable context for chemistry classes is the topic nanotechnology, due to its interdisciplinary character and its connection to all these three dimensions of sustainability. Additionally, it provides a lot of controversies and opportunities for discussions, because the effects of nanomaterials’ use have not been sufficiently investigated yet. Therefor an assessment of the chances and risks for health and environment is not completely possible and students have to decide by themselves if they want to use for example cosmetics, food and clothes containing nanomaterials.
In this contribution we present educational perspectives concerning the suitability of the topic nanotechnology for an Education for Sustainable Development on the example of the nanomaterials’ use in everyday life products.
References
[1] United Nations Conference on Environment & Development, AGENDA 21, https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/Agenda21.pdf [15.11.2015].
[2] German Commission for UNESCO, http://www.bne-portal.de/fileadmin/unesco/de/Downloads/Nationalkomitee/ESD-Position-paper-2015plus_english.pdf [15.11.2015]
[3] M. v. Hauff, A. Kleine: Nachhaltige Entwicklung. Grundlagen und Umsetzung, 2009.
[4] M. Burmeister, F. Rauch, I. Eilks: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and chemistry education. In: Chem. Educ. Res. Pract. 13 (2), S. 59, 2012.
