Juan J. De Pablo, University of Wisconsin-Madison, DMR 0520527

1. UW-MRSEC Participates in Nanotechnology Workshops for Educators in Danville, VA Juan J. De Pablo, University of Wisconsin-Madison, DMR 0520527 Dr. Kimberly Duncan, a postdoctoral associate in the Interdisciplinary Education Group (IEG) of the University of Wisconsin – Madison (UW) Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) on Nanostructured Interfaces assisted with the development and presentation of content for “NanoScIEnce: It’s No small Thing”, a three workshop series for K-12 educators sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), located in Danville, VA. The workshop on February 27, the first of a three-part workshop series held by the Institute, brought 38 science and math teachers and pre-service teachers from Danville, VA, area to IALR’s state-of-the-art facility for a full day introduction to the nanoscale. The workshop began with an extensive introduction the nanometer size-scale, properties at the nanoscale, and tools used by nanoscientists, delivered by Michael Falvo, Research Associate Professor at University of North Carolina. In the afternoon, teachers participated in a round robin of hands-on table-top activities exhibiting nanoscale properties and phenomenon. The table-top activities, largely developed by the UW MRSEC and the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net), were led by graduate students whom Duncan had trained on the activities. Duncan also led the teachers in a hands-on classroom activity that introduced them to tools used by nanoscale scientists and engineers, specifically scanning probe microscopes. This activity, developed by the IEG and previously published in Science Teacher (December 2006), uses a probe to help teachers map an unknown surface inside a box. The teachers then used the data they collected to create 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional representations of the surface. On March 27, Duncan will return to Danville, VA, for the second workshop in the series. The March workshop will focus on potential applications of nanotechnology. Duncan plans to lead the 46 enrolled teachers in a laboratory synthesis of ferrofluid and to engage the teachers in a hands-on classroom activity highlighting possible medical applications of nanotechnology. Following the all-day workshop, the Institute will be hosting a evening opening event for Sights Unseen, a nanoart show that was developed by the UW MRSEC. Duncan will be present to talk about the inspiration for the art show, the process of developing the show, and the images the make up the show. Sights Unseen will be on display at the Institute during NanoDays (March 27 – April 5, 2009). IALR plans to initially keep the show on semi-permanent display on their campus, but will also to loan the show to local schools for display. Pre-service teachers from Averett University explore how liquid crystals respond to the heat from their hands. Carlton Ramsey, chair of the math department at Hargrave Military Academy (left), and Ana Alvarez, teacher from Laural Park Middle School (right), build a 3-dimensional representation of their mystery surface. The activity utilizes analogy to introduce scanning probe microscopy as a technique nanoscale scientists and engineers use to “see” at the nanoscale. This work was supported by the NSF through the University of Wisconsin Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, grant number DMR-0520527.