SENSORS: THE MOTIVATION FOR LEARNING, TEACHING AND INNOVATING

Sensors are chosen as the focus of a new approach for learning, teaching and innovating. The fact that nowadays there are sensors based on all types of physical, chemical and biochemical principles, is the focus that brings all natural sciences and many technologies together. The idea is explored from historical aspects, such as the difference of doing basic research nowadays and in the eighteen’s century, but with emphasis on the recent trends, given by the popularization of personal computers and of Internet. The fundamental aspect played by people feelings on being motivated is considered, and the presentation explores the need for actions that change people attitude more than creating new courses or teaching techniques. The aspect science-technology-society is approached; proposing a large educational program based on the use of existing sensors in schools, fairs and museums. Because there sensors that detect all types of natural phenomena they bring together all natural science and engineering disciplines, helping people to develop the ability to observe, compare and judge. As far as teaching practice is concerned, the use of sensors are proposed to be the basis of a science teaching program for all school levels and for continuous learning programs. It is discussed the fact that subject “sensors ” can be approached at any level from the most elementary proportionality point of view up, to the most sophisticated nanotechnology, and data processing. Well designed sensors based, teaching program can take into account th