Society, policy, and economics

In the first part of the “Robots & People” program, visitors learn what robots and nanobots are, what they can do, and how they affect our lives. In the second part of the program, visitors imagine and draw a robot, designing it to do a particular task.

"Exploring Nano & Society - Invisibility Cloak" is a hands-on activity in which visitors learn about refraction and how it can be used to make a glass stir rod "disappear" in a cup of baby oil. They also learn how nano researchers are trying to make invisibility cloaks by manipulating the refraction of light. Conversation around this possible new technology leads visitors to explore how technologies and society influence each other.

"Exploring Nano & Society - Flying Cars" is a hands-on activity in which visitors imagine and build a flying car out of small foam pieces. Conversations around this process lead visitors to explore how technologies and society influence each other and how nanotechnologies are part of a bigger system.

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.

Nano Around the World is a card game designed to get participants to reflect on the potential uses of nanotechnology across the globe. Players each receive three cards: a character card, a current technology card, and a future technology card. They are asked to assume the role of their character to find nanotechnologies that might benefit them. After game play there is a facilitated discussion to help players reflect on the choices they made, the difficulty in finding appropriate technologies for many of the characters, and the possible nanotechnologies that could benefit a wider array of people than current nanotechnologies do.

Big Fish, Little Fish is a cart demo that can also be used as a classroom activity that focuses on what biomagnification is and how it happens in our ecosystems. Visitors will see a short visual demonstration followed by an interactive game.

A short 3-minute film to aid in the discussion of the societal and ethical implication of nanotechnology.

A short 3-minute film to aid in the discussion of the societal and ethical implication of nanotechnology.

A short 3-minute film to aid in the discussion of the societal and ethical implication of nanotechnology.

This a workshop designed to help working scientists get their work noticed in the media.