Nanotechnology Now - News Story: Cultivating curiosity: Innovative approaches to learning science at UMBC

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February 23rd, 2010

Cultivating curiosity: Innovative approaches to learning science at UMBC

Abstract:
Going back to our original problem, this raw interest in science may be missing link between classroom science and everyday life. Students are often surprised to learn in Physics class that the brand name "Nano" refers to nanotechnology, which has its foundations in Niels Bohr's revolutionary work defining the rules of the subatomic world. Further, they discover that modern trains like the Light Rail utilize the conductivity properties of excited metals, a topic studied extensively by Enrico Fermi. Or that information streaming from some remote server to a hand-held MP3 player requires fiber-optics, the basics of which were studied by Sir Isaac Newton. As we enter the new decade, a reassessment of instructive science at the university level, and didactic encouragement of curiosity may be necessary as schools look to encourage the next generation of scientists and researchers.

Source:
retrieverweekly.com

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