A science teacher will have the unique opportunity of doing a work placement at the research centre CRANN this summer, helping to develop material for transition-year classes based on the educational DVD ‘Nano in My Life’.
Ireland is ranked sixth in the world for nanoscience research and eighth for materials science, with CRANN responsible for most of the publications that have resulted in these rankings.
The science teacher will have access to researchers in CRANN who took part in the DVD and have the opportunity to spend time in their laboratories and view world-leading electron microscopes.
The support materials will provide a resource for science teachers to conduct a number of transition-year classes on nanoscience, for example ‘Nano and Health’, ‘Nano and IT’.
Nanoscience to be introduced to school curricula
The aim is to link these materials into both the Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle curricula. Although nanoscience is not currently on the curricula, this is set to change and the successful applicant will have the opportunity to find out more about nanoscience in Ireland’s leading research institute ahead of the curricula changes.
“We are looking for a teacher who is enthusiastic about science and can help to create educational materials which will engage students in the classroom. By bringing nanoscience to life in a relevant fashion in the classroom, students will be able to relate it to their everyday lives and also draw a clear line between what they study in the classroom and can ultimately pursue at university,” said Diarmuid O’Brien, executive director, CRANN.
Interested applicants should contact Mary Colclough, communications and outreach manager in CRANN or telephone 01 8963022. The closing date for applications is 3 June.
