Sometimes we forget what its like to be a child – to explore the unknown, ask questions, play, and basically have fun. Well, 180 high school S&T teachers last week were given this opportunity to participate in the Frontier Science Camp organized by the Office of the Permanent Secretary (Ministry of S&T) and research agencies within NSTDA in Nakorn Sawan Rajabhat University. The 2 days camp (April 28-29) allows teachers to participate in 4 topic areas: IT (NECTEC), Material Science (MTEC), Biology (BIOTEC), and Nanotechnology (NANOTEC).
The objectives of the science camp are to:
- Build confidence in teachers’ ability to transfer knowledge in science
- Develop a positive attitude toward science and technology
- Learn skills used in the process of scientific investigation
- Exchange S&T teaching methods in order to spice up their existing curriculum.
In the area of nanotechnology, Dr. Nuttaporn Supaka, Head of Testing and Service Lab at NANOTEC gave an overview of nanotechnology and its application. The hands-on activity section was presented by Khun Atchara on gold nanoparticles and Khun Wittcha on nanotechnology for water repellent. Both Khun Atchara and Khun Wittcha are members of the Training for the Trainer of Nanotechnology (TTN) group 4. TTN is a project initiated by NANOTEC in 2008 to help build human resource for the promotion of public awareness in nanotechnology. Currently there are over 90 TTN members.
The next Frontier Science Camp is scheduled for June 23-24 in Surat Thani province.
