In this activity, students realise that they are growing up in a world in which nanotechnology could have a huge impact and explore some of the potential social issues that could arise.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • explain which existing products containing nanotechnology components they consider good or bad
  • explain which future products that may contain nanotechnology components they consider good or bad
  • develop a response to possible future products like ‘nanodocs’ that will enable medical tests or ‘nanocleaners’ that will enable cleaning of teeth, hair and skin throughout the day
  • discuss the positive and negative factors of nanotechnology enabling people to live to 200 years in the future.

Download the Word file (see below) for:

  • introduction/background notes
  • what you need
  • what to do
  • extension idea
  • student handouts.
    Published 28 May 2008, Updated 11 April 2014 Referencing Hub articles
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