| Abstract |
In the context of the contemporary society based on knowledge, Research and Innovation represent a common issue addressed to the social, political and scientific environments. In addition, the dynamics of the innovations implementation in science and technology, in all the fields of human activity, require, in many situations, a responsible and pragmatic approach from all involved stakeholders. In this respect, the educational institutions in general, and the Science teachers (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) in particular, become very involved in the design and implementation of the approaches of the instructional design, in order to develop students' specific skills and particular attitudes related to Responsible Research and Innovation. The paper intends to present an innovative teaching approach concerning an original Science unit entitled: "Nanosciences - A Facilitator Context for an United Collective", where the students are introduced to the concept of nanometals, trying to understand their specificity, and using green methods for obtaining some colloidal nanoparticles (Au and Ag) from plant extracts, synthesized also by them. The context for the implementation of this unit for lower and upper secondary education (VIIth to XIIth forms) was provided by the activities foreseen in the FP7 project "IRRESISTIBLE - Including Responsible Research and Innovation in Cutting Edge Science and Inquiry-based Science Education to Improve Teacher's Learning Ability of Bridging Environments". This project aims to train teachers, in order to promote formal, informal and non-formal learning activities with a view to emphasize specific Responsible Research and Innovation dimensions. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of this unit aiming to: acquiring by students of the needed skills for acting as responsible citizens, stimulating the desire for deepen understanding of current issues in Science and Technology, increasing the self-confidence and willingness to be involved in addressing pressing problems of the contemporary society. |