Abstract:

During the current academic year 2022/2023, project-based learning has been introduced in the development of laboratory practices for the Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology subject of the first year of the Master's Degree in Engineering, Processing and Characterization of Materials. The objective of this course is based on learning the properties of materials at the nanometer scale where both size and shape play a crucial role in the final properties. The practices are carried out during 6 sessions in groups of 4 students. The teacher prepares a guide on how the process of obtaining the materials is carried out before the practice and the students look for information to determine if they add fillers or other additives with the aim of optimizing the properties of the products obtained. Aronson´s jigsaw technique is used, which is a fundamental tool to confront different points of view of the students, thus increasing the skills of the students and highlighting their point of view. The objective of carrying out the practice in this way is to observe the students in the search for information, decision making and the development of the product and its characterization. A great improvement is observed on the part of the students with their involvement, the management of the laboratory characterization equipment and more confidence in decision-making.

Keywords:

Methodology, Nanomaterials, Teaching innovation, Laboratory practices.