High School Students' Perception and Attitudes toward Nanotechnology

摘要

In this study, high school students' perceptions and attitudes toward nanotechnology are examined through questionnaires gathered from 1704 high school students (five general high schools and two science high schools). As a result, the study shows that high school students have generally high perceptions and positive attitudes toward nanotechnology. Science high school students show more positive attitudes and correct knowledge toward nanotechnology rather than general high school students do. High school students get information on nanotechnology via various sources such as TV and internet, whereas they have rarely perceived to get information on nanotechnology in textbooks and science class. They think that newspaper and TV programs are proper methods to introduce new science technology and get information on the advanced science and technology through the internet and science teachers. High school students show positive attitudes toward the application of nanotechnology, whereas they show negative attitudes toward personal information chips and nano-taste enhancer. And they trust nanotechnology researchers and science teachers, whereas they rarely trust about government, public organizations, and internet.