The seventh edition of FEnanoMENOS is launched at national level
El Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), the Joint Institute of CSIC and UNIZAR, in its work of dissemination and promotion of scientific culture in the field of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, convenes for the seventh consecutive year Fenanomenos, the VII Nanoscience Fair for schoolchildren in Aragon.
The aim of this Fair is to bring participants closer to nanoscience, introducing them to the principles of this unknown and emerging discipline and trying to encourage their vocation for science and innovation by making them feel like real researchers for a few days. FenanoMENOS is also an initiative that seeks to promote values such as teamwork, cooperation and creativity.
In addition, as a novelty this year, participation is open to all secondary and special education students who send a video presentation of their project on a phenomenon related to nanoscience that is or could be present in some everyday element of our society before 4 March. In addition, all those who need advice for the creation of both the video and the idea itself must register before 4 February.
A total of 15 groups (in the two categories) will be selected from among all the participants to take part in the final phase. These finalists will be announced on Friday 11 March and will have the figure of the nanomentor, a researcher with experience in nanoscience research and dissemination who will sponsor the group and guide, advise and support them during their project.
In addition to the figure of the nano-mentor in the development of the project, all participants will have technical advice from an external consultancy with extensive experience in the management of similar projects with schoolchildren. This technical advice will ensure that all phases of the project are adapted to the level of the participants, making the project viable and simple for all those involved. New for this year’s edition will be the collaboration of several professionals who will advise the participants to ensure that their presentation to the jury is a success by giving them tools and tips for public speaking.
The winners will be announced at the final where the 15 finalist groups will present their projects at the 7th Aragon Nanoscience Fair for Schoolchildren, which will take place in May and where a prize of €300 in school material will be awarded to the winning school in each category and another prize of €100 in school material for the group that comes second, as well as a special prize for the video that achieves the greatest impact on social networks.