Student and Young Faculty Travel to the 2007 International Conference on Electroceramics Jon-Paul Maria, North Carolina

1. Student and Young Faculty Travel to the 2007 International Conference on ElectroceramicsJon-Paul Maria, North Carolina State University, DMR 0733159 Mark Losego - NSF Travel and Graduate fellow interacts with Science and Math students at the Kisimi school in rural Tanzania. Mark and other fellows spent part of an afternoon at the Kisimi school explaining how modern materials, especially ceramics, are used in all aspects of modern technology. Several fellows continue to interact with students they met in Tanzania. The NSF Ceramics Program, The Division of Materials Research, and the Offices of International Science and Engineering and Multidisciplinary Activities jointly supported 12 student and young faculty travel fellows to attend the 2007 International Conference on Electroceramics in Arusha, Tanzania. The program introduced international research from the scientifically and commercially important field of electronic ceramics to a group of young U.S. Materials Scientists and Engineers at a venue which embedded cultural education regarding the developing world. The travel fellows were provided opportunities to experience East African culture, the African science education system, and to interact with young African researchers and students in addition to the conference technical program. As a consequence of their participation, the travel fellows developed an appreciation for the state of science and engineering in East Africa, and their capacity to positively participate in its evolution. Creating personal and professional networks between U.S.-based and African researchers is a priority for promoting Africa towards full partnership in the international technology-based society of the 21st century. Establishing technical, educational, and commercially important collaborations will facilitate that partnership and benefit the futures of both the United States and East Africa. NSF Travel Fellows: Michelle Casper - NCSU Nazanin Bassiri-Gharb - GaTech James Rondinelli - UCSB Rich Eitle - U Kentucky Daniel Tinberg - PSU Alison Hatt - UCSB Micky Barry - UC Berkeley Kathy Sahner - MIT Lane Martin - UC Berkeley Mark Losego - NCSU Danielle Proffit - U Wisconsin George Whitfield - MIT Also in photo are Dr. Lynnette Madsen, Program Director of NSF Ceramics and Prof. Jon-Paul Maria