NNIN Education Site
Nanotechnology Education Activities at Penn State NNIN Site
The Penn State University’s Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization (CNEU), the PSU site of NNIN, is engaged in a wide variety of education and outreach programs as noted below. For further information please utilize the web links that are included below.
Nanotech Camps: Nanotech Camps for secondary students (grades 9 and above) from across Pennsylvania are held at the Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization (CNEU) (see www.cneu.psu.edu). Twelve 3-day camps are offered each summer, and provide secondary school students with an orientation to basic nanofabrication processes and characterization tools, and to applications of these nanofabrication processes and tools to fields from microelectronics to biotechnology. Educational pathways and career opportunities in nanofabrication are also covered. The agenda is designed to be interactive and fun, while still maintaining a high level of introductory level knowledge. Recreational activities are also included. The three-day summer Nanotech Camps have been well attended by 631 students through the summer of 2004.
In addition to the three-day camps, many one-day camps which include facility tours, introductory lectures, and hands on activities are held throughout the year. The one day camps are a popular destination for high school field trips.
Contact Ms. Lisa Daub at ldaub@engr.psu.edu for more information.
Hands-On Nanofabrication Workshops for Educators: Hands-On Nanofabrication Workshops for Educators (see www.cneu.psu.edu) entail lectures on the fundamentals of nanotechnology, nanofabrication, and nano-scale characterization tools combined with laboratory experiments in the clean-room where these fundamentals are practiced. Examples of lab demonstrations include the material modification on the nanoscale, characterization methods, and new products enabled by nanomanufacturing methods. Hands on activities utilize diverse bottom-up and top-down processing approaches including self-assembly and plasma-based processing and a range of current patterning equipment, and utilize a variety of characterization equipment including SEM, AFM and other methods. In addition, workshop participants learn about the role of nanotechnology in the modern workforce and the growing applications of nanotechnology in many industries including the biotechnology, MEMs, optoelectronics, chemical and electronics industries. These professional development workshops have been attended by 426 educators through the most recent May 2005 workshop.
Contact Ms. Tina Crosson at tcrosson@engr.psu.edu for more information.
Nanotechnology in the Classroom Workshops: Nanotechnology in the Classroom Workshops (see www.cneu.psu.edu) explain the concept of nanotechnology at a beginner’s level and then explore how selected topics and learning tools can be utilized in the classroom to enhance, update, and reinforce the teaching of fundamental secondary science courses. A highlight of these CNEU workshops is to show educators how they and their students can have remote access to sophisticated nano-charaterization equipment to perform experimentation in their home classrooms.
Contact Ms. Amy Brunner at abrunner@engr.psu.edu for more information.
Industry Workshops: The CNEU offers workshops for industry. (See www.cneu.psu.edu) These can be tailored to industry needs or cover the general field of nanotechnology. Topics in the general workshops include: what is nanotechnology, where is it going, and how is it changing business? These workshops cover the basic fabrication approaches of nanotechnology and their use in manufacturing along with current and future directions in nanotechnology. Attendees at these workshops have been managers and technical specialists from companies using or planning to use nanotechnology. Industries attending these workshops have included microelectronics, medical devices, chemical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and materials manufacturers.
Contact Ms. Lisa Daub at ldaub@engr.psu.edu for more information.
Undergraduate Education: Undergraduate education in nanofabrication is a major thrust and a significant accomplishment of the Penn State NNIN site. The CNEU offers the Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology NMT Capstone Semester, which is a 6 course hands-on experience exposing the student to state-of-the art equipment and cleanroom facilities at Penn State. The 18 credits of coursework (descriptions may be found at www.cneu.psu.edu) can be used toward an associate, or baccalaureate degree, used to earn an NMT Certificate, or both depending on the specific program of the student’s “Home Institution”. CNEU staff members teach the capstone semester during all three of Penn State’s scheduled semesters and continuously evolve these courses to add or update process and characterization technologies. Refinement of the capstone semester is carried out in close consultation with the industry members of the NMT Program’s Advisory Board.
Contact Ms. Lisa Daub at ldaub@engr.psu.edu for more information.
REU Program: The NNIN Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program provides a 10-week-long, hands-on summer research project for undergraduates from across the country. The CNEU provides this research experience for 8 undergraduates annually. The student participants learn what the world of research is about and participate in some ongoing science exploration. The REU participant is engaged with research faculty, graduate student mentors, and facility staff members throughout the summer, and is exposed to what the life of a researcher is about. The students become familiar with and gain hands-on experience in a wide range of nanofabrication processing and characterization techniques, along with exposure to research literature
Contact Mr. Robert Ehrmann at rehrmann@engr.psu.edu for more information.
Remote Access to Tools: Remote access to nano-characterization tools is being made available by CNEU and is being utilized by educational institutions and programs across the country. Atomic Force Microscopes and Scanning Electron Microscopes at CNEU can now be accessed by anyone who has internet access and these users can gain hands on experience and valuable training on this expensive, high technology equipment.
Contact Mr. William Mahoney at wmahoney@engr.psu.edu for more information.
Video Outreach:
Public Service Announcement: A 30 second public service announcement on nanotechnology, featuring Governor Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania, has been produced and is being broadcast by TV stations and cable companies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In this video, the governor endorses the nanotechnology education programs at the Penn State’s NNIN site. He encourages young people who want to gain new skills, to consider the educational opportunities available through the Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology (NMT) Partnership which is preparing Pennsylvanians for the jobs of tomorrow. (See www.nano4me.org) Similar 30 and 60 second radio public service announcements are presently in the production stage.
Contact Ms. Phi-Oanh Pham at ppham@engr.psu.edu for more information.
Web based and Video Training: The Center is in the process of developing a series of “nanotechnology topics” training videos, which is designed to be integrated into curricula to introduce and explore a wide variety of topics and issues. The intent is to also make these video productions available via web access so that anyone with an interest in a particular topic can view these modules.
Contact Mr. Robert Ehrmann at rehrmann@engr.psu.edu for more information.
Website: The Center website was fully upgraded in 2004 (www.cneu.psu.edu), and can also be accessed through a www.nano4me.org web address. The site is very informative and descriptive of the variety of programs that the Center has to offer.
Contact Mr. William Mahoney at wmahoney@engr.psu.edu for more information.
Outreach Tool Development:
Nanotechnology Principles, Applications, Careers, and Education (NanoPACE): CNEU personnel and partner institutions across Pennsylvania conduct extensive student outreach and recruitment efforts with area vocational technical schools and other secondary schools. The Center has developed a Power Point outreach presentation entitled Nanotechnology Principles, Applications, Careers, and Education (NanoPACE ) to help standardize and “brand” the message being delivered across PA.
Nanotech Products Activity: The Nanotech Products activity which was also developed at the Center is a major component of the NanoPACE activity. Through the NanoTech Products Activity, students are introduced to products that are on the market that are being enhanced utilizing nanotechnology. Kits containing the NanoPACE presentation and NanoTech products activity are being distributed to outreach representatives at Pennsylvania Partner institutions. This activity has also been shared nationally through the NNIN Education network and via Educators workshops. (See www.cneu.psu.edu)
Contact Ms. Amy Brunner at abrunner@engr.psu.edu for more information.
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