Factsheets - future science
The Royal Society have created factsheets relating to evidence based policy reports. Teachers may use these to expand their own subject knowledge, build lesson plans, and engage with their students on a variety of topics focusing on the future of science and technology. The factsheets are freely accessible and available for anyone to use.
Neural interfaces
These factsheets are linked to the Society's iHuman neural interface perspective.
- iHuman factsheet - Summary (PDF) This general introduction to neural interfaces explores the field’s history, current applications, and future development.
- iHuman factsheet - Ethics (PDF) This focuses specifically on the ethical issues the use of neural interfaces raises.
Neural interfaces and brain-computer interfaces blur the lines between mind and machine. They have the potential to transform medicine and fundamentally change how we interact with technology and each other. At the same time, neural interfaces raise critical ethical concerns over issues such as privacy, autonomy, human rights and equality of access. You can watch a 3 minute animation introducing neural interfaces via our YouTube channel.
Animate materials
This factsheet is linked to the Society's Animate materials perspective.
- Animate materials: what are they? (PDF) This general introduction to animate materials explores what they are, if they already exist, and what they might look like in the future.
Animate materials are created by humans to have lifelike properties: in other words, these materials can sense, move, change shape, and adapt to their environment. They are currently at the forefront of material science research, and materials developed in the future could have a transformative effect on all spheres of life. You can watch a 2 minute video by Mark Miodownik introducing animate materials via our YouTube channel. You can also access our classroom resources on animate materials.
If you use any of these resources with your class, please do email us with any feedback you have so we can review the impact these resources are having in schools across the UK.
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