On May 18-20th the nanotech manufacturer in Russia NT-MDT
Co. and one of the main Russian scientific nanocenters the Kurchatov Institute
held an international conference “Nanoeducation: the main approaches and
perspectives”.
The meeting had a unique format – the first educational international
conference with trainings on working with nanoeducational equipment for teachers.
185 participants took part in the event, including representatives from Russia,
the USA, Europe and CIS. The conference has become an essential part of Russian
Government Federal Program.
The main goal of the conference was to overcome the gap between impetuous development
of the modern nanoscience and the conservative system of education, especially
in schools, where the teachers suffer serious problems in working with new equipment.
The special workshops for teachers were organized in terms of the conference.
The main topics of the conference included such controversial areas as contemporary
approaches to nanoeducation, educational process organizing and leading, the
newest educational technologies, international university cooperation all over
the world concerning personnel trainings for teachers and professors and etc.
The discussion has touched all the educational levels at schools as well as
in universities.
About 185 participants visited the conference including 35 school teachers
from different Russian regions. During the conference they got a unique opportunity
to train their skills of working with NANOEDUCATOR – special educational
equipment for pupils and students. This training will help them to avoid problems
during learning pupils. Moreover teachers got acquainted with many university
professors, who shared their experience and knowledge. Many interesting contracts
and projects between teachers and university representatives were planed and
signed during this meeting.
NANOEDUCATOR is a scientific training complex with a set of learning aids,
accessories for introducing students to nanotechnology and giving them a basic
understanding of how work with objects at nanoscale level. It’s a student
oriented SPM developed for work by even first-time microscope users. NANOEDUCATORs
are installed in Russian schools and universities by NT-MDT Co. in terms of
the governmental contract. NT-MDT Co. has already equipped about 70 university
centers and more then 40 high schools in Russia.
Installations of NANOEDUCATORs as well as the conference are essential parts
of Government Federal Program aimed to develop highly qualified scientists in
Russia. It was the personal idea of the Minister of education and science Andrey
Fursenko who after visiting an international nanoexhibition had come to the
decision to get Russian pupils and students acquainted with nanoworld in practice.
Due to this program young investigators got an opportunity to feel and understand
the nanoscale by their own hands and eyes.
NT-MDT is a global company producing and providing innovative nanotechnological
tools and complexes for scientific and research organizations all over the world.
The key branch offices of the company are situated in Holland, Ireland, USA
and China. In the past five years, the installed base of the company has grown
to over 2000 instruments, promoting growth of both lab and research programs
world-wide.