What does nanotechnology mean, which we hear frequently? Nanotechnology is a technology carried out at the nanoscale corresponding to 1 to 100 nanometers (10-9 meters), incorporating science and engineering. Nanotechnology deals with the understanding and control of matter at the nanometer scale. As the size of particles changes, their colours change because the light reflective properties change according to the size. For instance, the colour of silver nanoparticles varies from light to dark yellow and green to grey as the size changes from small to large. However, hundreds of years ago, different sizes of silver particles were used in the stained glass windows of medieval churches due to their colour and being unaware of nanotechnology. Also, nanotechnology allows more atoms to interact with other materials as it causes a material to increase its surface area. The increase in the surface area of nano-sized materials makes them stronger, having more robust and desirable superior properties.

It is impossible to see something as small as an atom with the naked eye. It is also impossible to see atoms or molecules with optical microscopes. This case led to the invention of electron microscopes, which allows us to see atoms and molecules, contributing to the development of nanotechnology. Thus, scientists and engineers enabled the materials we use today to be produced with superior properties, allowing the production of new materials.

Nanotechnology is considered a major source of innovation in technology, medicine and other fields but also one of the main challenges for the 21st century. European universities and high-level vocational training programmes cover this technology extensively, but not primary and secondary education schools. The European Commission has explicitly included nanotechnology as a theme in its research funding programmes over the past decade and supported scientists through the European Research Council. In the Strategic Plan of Horizon Europe for 2021-2024, one of the Key Enabling Technologies that are crucial for Europe’s competitiveness in strategic value chains is nanotechnology. The Horizon and Erasmus+ funding programmes’ priority is to bridge the gap between research and the market Countries must support research, development, and new job creation based on innovation.

In terms of education, nanotechnology is considered an interdisciplinary field and emerging science and technology topic. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a significant scientific field related to advanced and traditional industries. The scope can be extended, beginning with microprocessors and towards food and textiles. The rapid development and increasing societal importance of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NST) has led to educational concerns worldwide. The growing need for nanotechnology education programs can help train scientists and engineers at the undergraduate and high school levels.

Making students experience nanotechnology applications demonstrates to them how modern science works and helps them find solutions to everyday problems not solved by other means. These applications provide students with the opportunity to develop skills and gain knowledge in nanotechnology.

A large investment is made to support education for nanotechnology. Many studies and projects are carried out to develop formal and non-formal nanoscale science and technology education programs. One of these projects is the NANOWARE Project, which is an Erasmus+ Key Action 2 project for school education.

NANOWARE Project’s objective is to increase awareness of nanotechnology among European science teachers of secondary education, for making school children aware of developments in nanotechnology, and the importance of nanoscience and nanotechnology to our society and economy, and their professional careers in the future. The project activities to be performed, including the design of the NANOWARE curriculum for secondary school science education, the implementation of the NANOWARE Minecraft world, the preparation of instructional material and an educators’ guide, the validation of the results with the teachers under real conditions and the preparation a virtual space, namely, the Nanoware Foundry. Direct target groups of the Nanoware Project are professionals (teachers) working with children 11 to 17 years old, children between the ages of 11 and 17, schools, children's associations and organisations, social workers working with children, policymakers and educational stakeholders deciding about subjects covered by school curricula. Indirect target groups are parents, universities educating teachers, designers & developers of teaching material for kids, children’s curriculum developers, and computer & internet trainers. We strongly believe that the NANOWARE Project will open a new gate for nanotechnology education in European high schools and worldwide.