Researchers & Educators Collaborate to Advance STEM Education Through Nanoscience
by Melinda Wong (NCLT)

On January 11-12, 2007 a group of dedicated research scientists, educators and science museum experts convened for the 2 nd Annual Workshop on Nanoscale Science and Engineering Education (NSEE) in Washington, DC . This workshop was co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Center for Learning & Teaching in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NCLT). The purpose of the workshop was for NSEE researchers and educators to exchange information and to foster collaborations for making a broader impact in bringing NSEE to the classroom and general public.

Wanda Ward (Acting Director of NSF's Education and Human Resources, EHR) initiated the charge to this NSEE community of leaders to create quantifiable measures of success as they forge forward in their initiatives. Mike Roco (Senior Advisor for Nanotechnology, Directorate of Engineering at NSF) inspired participants to create value-added results to their efforts in nanoscience. John 'Spud' Bradley (Portfolio Manager of EHR/ESIE) and David Ucko (Head, Informal Science Education, EHR/ESIE) spearheaded the organizing efforts and encouraged participants throughout the workshop. Robert Chang ( Northwestern University and Director of NCLT) chaired the workshop and networking presentations.

Keynote Speaker Mark Ratner ( Northwestern University & the International Institute for Nanotechnology) forewarned the assembly that future innovations and expansion of what is still to be learned in nano is hard to predict. Quoting Niels Bohr, he said: "Prediction is very difficult, especially of the future."

Keynote Speaker Eric Mazur ( Harvard University ) inspired the participants with his innovative research approach in discovering how to confine light in nanowires. He stated that "Nano can be simple and nanofabrication can be made simple."

Experts in the areas of professional development, evaluation, science standards, learning research and networking were invited to share their expertise on panels and lead various group discussions.

The workshop offered time for networking with others who were also creating courses, activities and exhibits, professional development, outreach, and learning research to introduce cutting-edge nanoscience. Through posters and presentations, various NSF-funded research and education centers shared their innovative research and methodologies for reaching students, teachers and the general public with key concepts in nanoscience. Several of these concepts and approaches are posted on the NanoEd Resource Portal ( www.nanoed.org ).

The depth of reach and exposure to nanoscience is predominantly limited to today's media hype. Therefore, it is the challenge of the NSEE community of leaders to create and advance the best practices to educate students, teachers and society. Ratner quoted H.D. Thoreau as saying, “ There is more day to dawn; the sun is but a morning star.” There is more day to dawn in educating future generations who will lead the U.S. in nanoscience innovations and development .

The following are key presentations from the workshop.

Day 1: Workshop Presentations

Day 2: Workshop Presentations