A Classroom-Ready Fluorogenic Nanokit for Hands-On Nanoscience Learning in Resource-Limited Settings

Abstract Integrating nanoscience into secondary curricula is frequently hindered by prohibitive equipment costs, stringent safety requirements, and the difficulty of making nanoscale phenomena tangible for students. This work introduces a classroom-ready fluorogenic Nanokit (CRN) designed to bridge these gaps through an accessible, hands-on inquiry module specifically for resource-constrained environments. At the core of the CRN is the microwave-assisted synthesis of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-templated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs). This process uses readily available laboratory materials to produce nanoclusters that exhibit intense fluorescence under ultraviolet illumination. To ground these concepts in real-world utility, students perform a sensing experiment in which fluorescence quenching is used to qualitatively detect copper(II) ions, highlighting how nanomaterials can be applied to environmental sensing contexts. The implementation employs a dual-layered instructional approach, balancing instructor-led safety protocols with student-guided experimentation, to ensure safe operation while maintaining an authentic hands-on learning experience. Data gathered from outreach implementations, including guided worksheets and postactivity questionnaires, indicate notable gains in conceptual understanding and high levels of student engagement. Overall, the CRN demonstrates that fluorescent nanocluster chemistry can be effectively translated into a reproducible and impactful educational tool for diverse classroom and outreach learning settings.