International Journal of Modern Education Research 2018; 5(2): 32-47 http://www.aascit.org/journal/ijmer ISSN: 2375-3781 The High School Students Understanding of Nanotechnology Concepts and Applications Amanda Cristina Murgo 1 , Neucideia Aparecida Silva Colnago 2 , Yvonne Primerano Mascarenhas 3 1 Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil 2 Institute of Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil 3 Institute of Physics and Institute of Advanced Studies at Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil Email address Citation Amanda Cristina Murgo, Neucideia Aparecida Silva Colnago, Yvonne Primerano Mascarenhas. The High School Students Understanding of Nanotechnology Concepts and Applications. International Journal of Modern Education Research. Vol. 5, No. 2, 2018, pp. 32-47. Received: February 26, 2018; Accepted: March 21, 2018; Published: August 3, 2018 Abstract: The results here reported comprehend activities performed in the research net NanoBioMed (Brazilian agency CAPES, Brazil’s Ministry of Education). The objective was to acquire information regarding how the public understands the meaning of nanoscience and nanotechnology and the realization of it’s risks and benefits yielded from its applications. Questionnaires were applied on 86 high school students from São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil public schools with ages ranging from 15 to 18 years old. Pre and post-tests were applied to 55 students before and after watching a video about the subject, and to 31 students attending a talk where basic concepts were presented. The resulting quanti-qualitative analysis revealed that the students did not have a reasonable knowledge of the subject and that they have difficulty in relating the curricular contents to their technological applications. It became evident that extracurricular subjects, and in particular those related to nanoscience and nanotechnology, were not introduced to the students. Nevertheless, it is known that the majority of science teachers do not have their formal education updated regarding the contemporary developments of science and technology hampering, and, this way, the teaching and learning processes of these subjects. The answers to the post-test revealed that both groups presented an increase of their knowledge of nanoscience and nanotechnology but not so much of the advantages and risks of nanotechnologic products, regarding the possible false or exaggerated promises of the commercially advertised products. Keywords: High School Students, Nanotechnology Concepts and Understanding, Nanotechnology Risks and Advantages 1. Introduction Nanotechnology has been the object of great developments in the last 20 years and its applications have been arising in many areas, being of our special interest the applications in the health field. In this sense, the goal of this research was to analyze what the State-funded High School students of São Carlos, SP, Brazil know about nanotechnology and if they are or not able of realize the risks and benefits generated by its applications. It is well known that nanoscience and nanotechnology are surprising because the same material properties may present at macro and nanoscale, different characteristics and applications. These manifested properties in the nanoscale, once studied and comprehended, can be harnessed according to their functionalities differentiated for multiple applications in several varied areas. It is about a broad path to be explored, as Medeiros and Mattoso (Researchers of the Brazilian research institute EMBRAPA) point out: In spite of the science of atoms and simple molecules, the science of matter, from the micro all the way to the macrostructure being already well established and grounded, nanotechnology still is in its initial phase, because there is still much to be comprehended about the behavior of matter in the nanoscale [1]. It is understood that the information about this promising technology should be part of the scientific culture that involves the work of several agents, such as researchers, teachers and journalists in the diffusion of its concepts and approach of its applications and developments. Brazil is starting to invest more and more in nanotechnology with the incentive of governmental