NNF Education and Outreach
The Nebraska Nanoscale Facilities (NNF) has as one of its main education and outreach goals to increase awareness of nanoscience to students and teachers and increase the number of students entering nanoscience fields. We are accomplishing this through a variety of successful programs:
· NanoDays - An annual celebration of nanoscale science sponsored by NNF and UNL’s MRSEC at a local shopping mall. The event includes interactive stations with games, prizes and the opportunity to talk with nanoscientists.
· Research Experience for Undergraduates – The Professor/Student Pair Program has teams of a faculty mentor and an undergraduate from four-year colleges experience first-hand cutting-edge nanotechnology research taking place in NNF laboratories for eight to ten weeks. The REU Program has Individual undergraduate students from four-year colleges participate in research at UNL for 10 weeks each summer.
· Upward Bound Nanocamp – During this program for eligible high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds NNF provides a summer NanoPhysics camp to 10th & 11th grade participants. This includes tours of nano related research in NNF facilities and hands-on activities about nanoelectronics and other topics.
· University of Nebraska’s College Prep Academy NanoCamp - This program for 10th-grade students from Grand Island and Omaha high schools give students an opportunity for tours of nano related research in UNL faculty labs, facility tours of NNF equipment, and hands on activities and lessons about STEM/Nano.
· Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physical Sciences (WoPhyS) - WoPhyS is a conference for research-active undergraduate women that attracts approximately 75-100 students each year from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. NNF sponsors this event in collaboration with the University of Nebraska’s MRSEC. http://wophy.unl.edu/
· After School STEM/Nano program - This is designed for a junior high school students with no previous knowledge of nanoscience and runs 8 weeks each semester. Through hands-on activities, lessons by UNL faculty, and UNL lab tours students are exposed to a wide variety of experiences about nanoscience.
· Video Blog - Videos are made by middle school student groups after completing activities. Students interview each other about the subject discussed and what they learned. These video are uploaded to the University of Nebraska’s Media website for viewing: http://mediahub.unl.edu/channels/313
· Facility Video Library Development - these videos support training for REU Programs, Teacher Workshops, and other courses They provide detailed footage of how to use a variety of equipment in NNF Central and Shared Laboratory areas. An overview of NNF equipment, processes, and other resources provide information on how to use equipment for different stages of training.
· Traveling Nanoscience Exhibit - This 400 sq ft. exhibit was awarded from the NISE Network and travels to many museums throughout Nebraska targeting K-12 children.
· Nanotech Teacher Workshops & Online Classes – Workshops are for middle and high school teachers and contribute to their nanoscience literacy through online class content. The workshops focus on NNF facilities and highlight potential opportunities for students in the nanoscience field. In addition, they pursue educational opportunities for Native Americans and tribal colleges within Nebraska, utilizing Nebraska and National Science Standards to align course content.
Main contact:
Terese Janovec, Assistant Director/Education Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (402) 472-2716; Fax: (402) 472-6148; E-mail: tjanovec3@unl.edu
http://nanoscale.unl.edu/training-education