Social issues and nanotechnology

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.