Speaker Details

Hans Nyman, age 58, holds a PhD in Ecological Zoology from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Hans has worked for over 30 years as a University teacher, creating and leading many academic courses. He has also been responsible for the education of school teachers and participated in many projects developing new teaching material and methods. One of the main tasks has been to popularise complicated scientific research results and make them understandable to each and everyone. His own field of scientific research is freshwater ecology and environmental problems but he has also done research on ancient optic instruments e.g. Linnaeus' microscopes. Hans has also run a separate consultant business for over 25 years, specializing in environmental problems and limnological research but also making exhibitions. Several on science history. Since 10 years Hans has worked with the well known science photographer Lennart Nilsson (perhaps best known for his "A child is born", the world's best selling photo book) and this has resulted in several articles and ongoing projects. Projects like a large international travelling exhibition (When the invisible became visible), the "Be Curious project", several films and a book.

Presentation Abstract:

Be curious is a non profit project that use cheap small handheld usb computer microscopes to promote interest in science and education. It is a low budget project with a large potential to be more or less self propelled. It is genuinely fun to use this microscope and it opens up a completely new and fascinating world to the user. The field of study is enormous. Many spectators can also participate at one time and not only the microscope pilot. This "momentum of adventure" is to be used by the project! The be curious project can be developed in many directions and be adapted to different age groups. The popularity among youngsters of computer aided tools and of internet is another good base for this project. It is suggested that Science Centres could become local centres of knowledge on using this tool and inspire schools in their own region. Internet also makes it possible to make an internet based "Bank of knowledge" where you can learn the technique and get suggestions to good projects. With internet one can reach way beyond the local region of a Science Centre. The same internet site is also a potential arena for sharing of experience and of dialogue between nations and cultures Thus this project could also become a new way to use science as a tool to promote dialogue between cultures and this tool to be used by new and younger groups.

Status: Confirmed