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Scientist Speed Dating

In this activity, learners and scientists are encouraged to speak with one another, ask questions, and explore specific areas of nanotechnology research and practices through a fun group exercise.

DESCRIPTION

Scientist Speed Dating is a facilitated, yet informal and high-energy, social activity to encourage a large group of people to speak with one another, ask questions, and learn about specific areas of research and practice within the field of nanoscale science and engineering, as well as the related societal and ethical implications of work in this field.

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DESCRIPTION

Scientist Speed Dating is a facilitated, yet informal and high-energy, social activity to encourage a large group of people to speak with one another, ask questions, and learn about specific areas of research and practice within the field of nanoscale science and engineering, as well as the related societal and ethical implications of work in this field.

JUMP TO BROWSE RELATED RESOURCES

OBJECTIVES

BIG IDEA

It is not often that the general public has opportunity to informally chat with scientists, engineers, and social scientists; nor is it often that scientists, engineers, and social scientists get the opportunity to discuss their work with the general public in a social environment. This program facilitates these kinds of interactions in a thought-provoking and exciting forum.

LEARNING GOALS

  • Have questions about nanoscale science and engineering immediately answered by scientists and engineers actively working in the field; as well as consider questions about the societal and ethical implications with social scientists.

  • Hear questions from other participants, having their own interest and understanding broadened based on questions they had not previously considered.

  • Discover that scientists often have questions of the general public, and perhaps be able to provide invaluable feedback to scientists and engineers as they continue their work.

NANO CONTENT MAP

Scientists and engineers have formed the interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology by investigating properties and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.

Nanoscience, nanotechnology, and nanoengineering lead to new knowledge and innovations that weren't possible before.

Nanotechnologies—and their costs, utility, risks, and benefits—are closely interconnected with society and with our values.

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2012
OWNING INSTITUTION

Science Museum of Minnesota

FUNDING

Developed for the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers 0532536 and 0940143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

PERMISSIONS

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).
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DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

NISE Network products are developed through an iterative collaborative process that includes scientific review, peer review, and visitor evaluation in accordance with an inclusive audiences approach. Products are designed to be easily edited and adapted for different audiences under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. To learn more, visit our Development Process page.