Fabrication of Maize-Based Nanoparticles at Home: A Research-Based Learning Activity
Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that promises to reshape many spheres of our lives. One core activity in nanotechnology is the synthesis of nanoparticles. Here, we introduce a research-based activity centered on the use of zein, the main constitutive protein in maize, as a raw material...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Education Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/12/5/307 |
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| author | Mario Moisés Alvarez Lilia del Carmen Flores-Cruz Sara Cristina Pedroza-González Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago |
| author_facet | Mario Moisés Alvarez Lilia del Carmen Flores-Cruz Sara Cristina Pedroza-González Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago |
| author_sort | Mario Moisés Alvarez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that promises to reshape many spheres of our lives. One core activity in nanotechnology is the synthesis of nanoparticles. Here, we introduce a research-based activity centered on the use of zein, the main constitutive protein in maize, as a raw material for the synthesis of nanoparticles. In the context of the contingency imposed by COVID-19, this experimental activity was designed to be independent of a central laboratory. Therefore, it was enabled by a portable heating do-it-yourself (DIY) device that the students assembled in their own home. We describe the implementation of this activity as part of a graduate-level seminar series, and share our observations. We assessed the students’ knowledge on seven topics related to nanotechnology, do-it-yourself devices, and protein synthesis. The students appeared to perceive that their degree of knowledge had advanced (on average) in all the learning topics; the students stated that their degree of knowledge in the topics of assembly of devices and protein structure had advanced the most. The results of this assessment suggest that this simple, hands-on, research-based activity effectively engaged students in a learning process that allowed them to integrate knowledge while exercising their experimental skills. In addition, we show that these types of activities are suitable for implementation even in circumstances of restricted access to laboratory facilities, such as the ones recently experienced during the pandemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:01:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d9b4fd688a5d4bed81b6d72a2bdc629c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-7102 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:01:09Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Education Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-d9b4fd688a5d4bed81b6d72a2bdc629c2023-11-23T10:45:16ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022022-04-0112530710.3390/educsci12050307Fabrication of Maize-Based Nanoparticles at Home: A Research-Based Learning ActivityMario Moisés Alvarez0Lilia del Carmen Flores-Cruz1Sara Cristina Pedroza-González2Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago3Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, MexicoCentro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, MexicoCentro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, MexicoCentro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, MexicoNanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that promises to reshape many spheres of our lives. One core activity in nanotechnology is the synthesis of nanoparticles. Here, we introduce a research-based activity centered on the use of zein, the main constitutive protein in maize, as a raw material for the synthesis of nanoparticles. In the context of the contingency imposed by COVID-19, this experimental activity was designed to be independent of a central laboratory. Therefore, it was enabled by a portable heating do-it-yourself (DIY) device that the students assembled in their own home. We describe the implementation of this activity as part of a graduate-level seminar series, and share our observations. We assessed the students’ knowledge on seven topics related to nanotechnology, do-it-yourself devices, and protein synthesis. The students appeared to perceive that their degree of knowledge had advanced (on average) in all the learning topics; the students stated that their degree of knowledge in the topics of assembly of devices and protein structure had advanced the most. The results of this assessment suggest that this simple, hands-on, research-based activity effectively engaged students in a learning process that allowed them to integrate knowledge while exercising their experimental skills. In addition, we show that these types of activities are suitable for implementation even in circumstances of restricted access to laboratory facilities, such as the ones recently experienced during the pandemic.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/12/5/307nanoparticleszeinhands-onresearch-based learningexperiment at-home |
| spellingShingle | Mario Moisés Alvarez Lilia del Carmen Flores-Cruz Sara Cristina Pedroza-González Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago Fabrication of Maize-Based Nanoparticles at Home: A Research-Based Learning Activity Education Sciences nanoparticles zein hands-on research-based learning experiment at-home |
| title | Fabrication of Maize-Based Nanoparticles at Home: A Research-Based Learning Activity |
| title_full | Fabrication of Maize-Based Nanoparticles at Home: A Research-Based Learning Activity |
| title_fullStr | Fabrication of Maize-Based Nanoparticles at Home: A Research-Based Learning Activity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fabrication of Maize-Based Nanoparticles at Home: A Research-Based Learning Activity |
| title_short | Fabrication of Maize-Based Nanoparticles at Home: A Research-Based Learning Activity |
| title_sort | fabrication of maize based nanoparticles at home a research based learning activity |
| topic | nanoparticles zein hands-on research-based learning experiment at-home |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/12/5/307 |
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