Nanotechnology Symposium

By Audette Rebecca

The 2007 Nanotech Symposium for Educators and Journalists was held on Friday, October 26, 2007.  The Symposium provided an overview of nanotechnology concepts and application, particularly in medicine and information technology.  In addition, many of the presentations made connections to education, public awareness, and societal issues.  With all the significant applications already existing on the market, public education concerning nanotechnology basics is more important than ever.

I was also able to attend two Teaching Workshops.  The first workshop provided example of a unit and accompanying activities as an introduction to nanoscale for middle and high school students.  The workshop highlighted how nanotechnology can be incorporated by discussing comparative size measurements and the importance of surface to volume ratio, especially in discussing chemical properties.  The second workshop provided an introduction to a newly-developed board game for high school and college students that is being designed to explore nanotech research and societal impacts.
 
Here are some resources providing information on and opportunities involving nanotechnology:
Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network
National Center for Technological Literacy: Museum of Science
NanoEd Resource Portal
Exploring the Nanoworld
Nano Technology Group - Consortium for Global Education
The Nanozone: Activities for Teachers
National Center for Learning and Teaching in Nanoscale Science and Engineering
Summer Research Experience in Materials Science and Engineering
Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN)
UNH Nano Group
Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing
Northwestern University: Discover Nano- For Teachers
Molecular Workbench
NanoSense