This is a collaborative NUE in Engineering program entitled, "Collaborative Research: Cross-institutional Nano-technology Education and Workforce Training Project", at the University of Dayton and Sinclair Community College, under the direction of Dr. Andrew W. Sarangan and Dr. Surinder M. Jain. The program will focus on:
1) Connecting high schools, a community college, a university and selected industries. 2) Developing alternative methods for delivering interactive nanotechnology laboratory experiences. 3) Creating nanotechnology internship opportunities. 4) Developing high school nanotechnology learning and awareness activities. 5) Developing nanotechnology workshops for secondary school teachers.
This project will increase awareness of nanotechnology concepts and careers in the nanoscience industry. The multi-institutional longitudinal model, connecting high schools, a community college, a university and industry partners, will offer a model for adoption by other institutions seeking to connect secondary school students and undergraduates to an effective and affordable pathway for nanotechnology education and employment.
Goals: The goal as stated in the proposal of this project was to develop an integrated longitudinal model from high school → community college → university → employment in nanotechnology. Elaborating more on this goal, it includes developing and offering a four-course nanotechnology course sequence collaboratively between Sinclair Community College and University of Dayton (UD), creating an interactive video system so that laboratories at the UD campus can be effectively connected with classrooms at both institutions, creating a software, nanofab Simulator, to illustrate and train nanofabrication process steps, creating partnerships with the local area high schools through curriculum development, K-12 teacher training, and with various industries through student internships. Accomplishments and Resources for Institutions: As a collaborative grant between Sinclair Community College and University of Dayton (UD) faculty and IT Services worked very closely to accomplish the following: A 4-course nanotechnology sequence has been developed. It covers basics of nanotechnology and takes the student through applications, design fabrication and testing of nanodevices and other key aspects of nanotechnology. Hands-on component is the strength of these courses supported by state-of-the-art nano labs and scanning electron microscope at UD. A two-way interactive audio-video system has been dersigned and implemented to avoid recreating the nano labs at Sinclair and hence avoiding tremendous cost and duplication of facilities such as cleanrooms. A microsoft based NanoFAB Simulator has been developed for designing and implementing step by step fabrication of silicon based nanodevices. This avoids costly materials and wastage due to missteps and design flaws! It is given free to students and is available to all US academic institutions. In partenrship with Dayton Regional STEM Center, industry experts (volunteers), high school faculty, UD and Sinclair faculty - two nanotechnology modules have been developed for high school students - available free to everybody : http://daytonregionalstemcenter.org/teachers/ We have developed and offered two summer institutes to introduce K-12 STEM teachers to nanotechnology. They vary from 20-35 hours. These can be easily offered at other colleges and universities with support from UD. To increase nanotechnology awareness we have offered short one hour presentations to K-12 students, parents, teachers and industry repersentatives at TechFest organized by Dayton Affiliate Council www.ascdayton.org/TechFest/index.shtml Key partnerships with local industry, other state institutions and research labs are being established to accomplish the final step of placing students as interns in nanotechnology relaetd jobs.
