Nanotechnology Education
One of the Smalley Institute's Grand Challenges is EDUCATION. The Institute and faculty members devote considerable resources to the task of educating students and enthusiasts of all ages. Here we highlight several of our programs and resources applicable to students at all levels - nanotechnology enthusiasts, K-12 students and teachers, undergraduates, graduates and post-docs, and continuing education students.
Nanotechnology Enthusiasts
Nano Science and Technology
Institute – Nanotech 2009
The Smalley Institute works with the NSTI to deliver
the Nanotech 2009 Conference and Trade Show.
Nanotech 2009 promotes advanced research insight and best practices,
matches buyers and sellers, showcases the latest tools and equipment, enables
strategic partnerships, and proves intellectual property licensing, venture
capital, corporate financing, and custom acquisition opportunities.
NanoArt Contest (photos)
The Smalley
Institute and nanoTox® support the atmosphere of discovery and
wonder that Rice research represents through the NanoArt Contest. The goals of the contest are to have Fun and
to promote the public’s acceptance of and interest in nanotechnology: most people who are new to the topic really
start to “get it” when they see compelling pictures.
NanoFANS
In March
2003 the Smalley Institute developed a new affiliates program called
NanoFANS (Friends Advancing Nano Science/Technology). NanoFANS is
designed to keep those individuals or corporations that are interested in
nanotechnology at the forefront of information.
All NanoFANS members will receive a membership card, advance notice of
seminars, scientific meetings, and Smalley Institute events.
Upper-level members get additional benefits such as free parking at events
and the opportunity to sponsor events.
Connexions
"Connexions is a place to view and share educational material made of small knowledge chunks called modules that can be organized as courses, books, reports, etc. Anyone may view or contributes." The Connexions site has several quality nanotechnology and general science modules from Rice University faculty and others.
TunaFest (2008 photos)
TunaFest began
in 2002 as a small gathering faculty and students about 200 people total. We met in the middle of the summer to relax
and eat the tuna Wade Adams caught
on a recent deep-sea fishing trip. Since
then, TunaFest has become an annual tradition for the Smalley Institute with
over 1350 attendees in 2008. The
TunaFest has evolved over the years to include nanotechnology researchers from
several academic institutions, industrial partners from around Houston,
and nanotechnology enthusiasts from across the US.
TunaFest is the largest annual nanotechnology event in Houston.
Nanotechnology
Venture Forum through Rice Alliance
for Technology and Entrepreneurship – February 12, 2009
The Annual Nanotechnology Venture Forum, the premier
conference to learn about commercial applications of nanotechnology, is
co-hosted by the Smalley Institute. The
forum showcases nearly twenty of the most promising nanotechnology start-up
companies. Speakers will include leading
venture capitalists, investors, and the world's foremost experts in
nanotechnology research and commercialization. Attendees will learn how
nanotechnology will change our lives and shape the future of business.
Advanced Energy Consortium (AEC)
AEC facilitates pre-competitive research in micro-
and nanotechnology materials and sensors that have the potential to create a
positive and disruptive change in the recovery of petroleum and gas from new
and existing reservoirs.
Distinguished Seminar Series
The Smalley
Institute brings a distinguished lecturer to Rice University every other year. What differentiates these seminars from
others is that the lecturer is further along in his or her career and speaks not only about scientific
interests but also provides insight into his or her long and illustrious career.
K-12 Students and Teachers
NanoKids through Professor James
Tour’s laboratory
The NanoKids™
educational outreach program, headed by Dr. James M. Tour, Chao Professor of
Chemistry at Rice
University, is dedicated
to increasing public knowledge of the nanoscale world and the emerging
molecular research and technology that is rapidly expanding internationally.
Based on actual anthropomorphic molecules synthesized in the laboratory, the
NanoKids™ visual concept utilizes universally recognized forms exhibiting human
characteristics to instruct, motivate, and entertain.
Connexions
"Connexions
is a place to view and share educational material made of small
knowledge chunks called modules that can be organized as courses,
books, reports, etc. Anyone may view or contributes." The Connexions
site has several quality nanotechnology and general science modules
from Rice University faculty and others.
CBEN
Summer Academy for High School StudentsThe program is a
two-week Science Academy for 9th/10th grade students
involving active outdoor field work and hands-on laboratory testing. A structured science fair workshop teaches
students how to construct and test a hypothesis in nanotechnology and
environmental science. Mary McHale, a
chemistry lecturer and water quality expert, teaches students how to analyze
local water samples from various sources for impurities
Nanotechnology for
TeachersThe Center for
Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) at Rice University
is offering a spring course on Nanotechnology for Introductory Chemistry and
Physics Teachers. The program is designed for high school science teachers,
although middle school teachers are welcome, nanotechnology is an
interdisciplinary field that encompasses physics, chemistry, biology and
environmental sciences.
NanoFANS
In March
2003 the Smalley Institute developed a new affiliates program called
NanoFANS (Friends Advancing Nano Science/Technology). NanoFANS is
designed to keep those individuals or corporations that are interested in
nanotechnology at the forefront of information.
All NanoFANS members will receive a membership card, advance notice of
seminars, scientific meetings, and Smalley Institute events.
Upper-level members get additional benefits such as free parking at events
and the opportunity to sponsor events.
TunaFest (2008 photos)
TunaFest began
in 2002 as a small gathering faculty and students about 200 people total. We met in the middle of the summer to relax
and eat the tuna Wade Adams caught
on a recent deep-sea fishing trip. Since
then, TunaFest has become an annual tradition for the Smalley Institute with
over 1350 attendees in 2008. The
TunaFest has evolved over the years to include nanotechnology researchers from
several academic institutions, industrial partners from around Houston,
and nanotechnology enthusiasts from across the US.
TunaFest is the largest annual nanotechnology event in Houston.
Smalley Student Society
The Smalley
Student Society (S3) is a science club for middle school to
post-doctoral students interested in nanotechnology. The organization aims to increase the
awareness of and interest in natural sciences for the younger members and to
provide academic and networking support for the older members.
Undergraduate Students
Nanotechnology Research
Experience for Undergraduates
Involving
students in discovery-based scientific inquiry is the primary objective of our
Nanotechnology Research Experience for Undergraduates (NREU) program, offered
for the first time in the summer of 2003. This program is modeled after
an existing REU program offered by the Rice Quantum Institute, in which
undergraduates work on independent research projects in a Rice lab for 10 weeks
and present their work at a conference held at the end of the summer. It is
possible for advanced high school students from the Academy or MSL teacher's classes
to participate in this program.
NanoJapan through Professor Junichiro
KonoAs the fields of science and engineering become
increasingly international there is a pressing need for the development of
research and education programs to produce globally aware scientists and
engineers. The NanoJapan Program was
developed to address this need b attracting young undergraduates to the
emerging areas of electrical engineering and the physical sciences, especially
the study of nanotechnology. By
involving and training studying in cutting-edge research projects in nanoscale
science and engineering this program aims to increase the numbers of US
students who choose to pursue graduate study in this field while also
cultivating a generation of globally aware engineers and scientists.
Smalley Student SocietyThe Smalley
Student Society (S3) is a science club for middle school to
post-doctoral students interested in nanotechnology. The organization aims to increase the
awareness of and interest in natural sciences for the younger members and to
provide academic and networking support for the older members.
Distinguished Seminar Series
The Smalley
Institute brings a distinguished lecturer to Rice University every other year. What differentiates these seminars from
others is that the lecturer is further along in his or her career and speaks not only about scientific
interests but also provides insight into his or her long and illustrious career.
Graduate and Post-Doctoral Students
J. Evans Attwell-Welch Post-Doctoral Fellowship
The J. Evans Attwell fellowship is supported by an endowment, established from both Rice University and Welch Foundation funds, which is sufficient to make the award attractive to the best you PhD recipients in nanoscience and nanotengineering-related fields. the goal is to attract and retain leading nanoscientists, thus further augmenting the level of basic scientific research in chemistry and allied fields, not only for Rice University, but also for the State of Texas.
Nano Science and Technology
Institute – Nanotech 2009
The Smalley Institute works with the NSTI to deliver
the Nanotech 2009 Conference and Trade Show.
Nanotech 2009 promotes advanced research insight and best practices,
matches buyers and sellers, showcases the latest tools and equipment, enables
strategic partnerships, and proves intellectual property licensing, venture
capital, corporate financing, and custom acquisition opportunities.
NanoArt Contest (photos)
The Smalley
Institute and nanoTox® support the atmosphere of discovery and
wonder that Rice research represents through the NanoArt Contest. The goals of the contest are to have Fun and
to promote the public’s acceptance of and interest in nanotechnology: most people who are new to the topic really
start to “get it” when they see compelling pictures.
Professional
Master of Science in Nanoscale PhysicsThe Nanoscale Physics program prepares students
for a career in nanoscience by combining a strong component in quantum theory,
which governs the behavior of systems at the nanoscale, with the study of
practical nano- and mesoscale devices. This provides the student with the
knowledge required to successfully navigate the emerging field of
nanoscale science and nanotechnology. In addition, a year-long course in
methods of experimental physics is offered to ensure that students obtain the
advanced practical skills valuable to the nanotechnology industry.
2009
Nanotechnology for Defense ConferenceThis premier event, sponsored by the tri-service research
organizations (Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Army Research Laboratory
(ARL), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Defense Threat Reduction Agency
(DTRA) and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is committed to
providing a fertile and stimulating forum to enable attendees to discuss
opportunities afforded by recent material innovations, which maximize control
of the nanostructure (nanomaterials), to impact defense and dual-use
technologies.
NASA/Rice Nucleation and Growth WorkshopThe workshop is
hosted every other year by the Smalley Institute and NASA. The next workshop is scheduled for April
2009. The purpose of the workshop is to
develop a better understanding of SWCNT nucleation and growth mechanism. The workshop brings together world experts to
present experiments, theories, and modeling efforts focused on all aspects of
SWCNT nucleation, growth, and production.
Nanotechnology
Venture Forum through Rice Alliance
for Technology and Entrepreneurship – February 12, 2009
The Annual Nanotechnology Venture Forum, the premier
conference to learn about commercial applications of nanotechnology, is
co-hosted by the Smalley Institute. The
forum showcases nearly twenty of the most promising nanotechnology start-up
companies. Speakers will include leading
venture capitalists, investors, and the world's foremost experts in
nanotechnology research and commercialization. Attendees will learn how
nanotechnology will change our lives and shape the future of business.
TunaFest (2008 photos)
TunaFest began
in 2002 as a small gathering faculty and students about 200 people total. We met in the middle of the summer to relax
and eat the tuna Wade Adams caught
on a recent deep-sea fishing trip. Since
then, TunaFest has become an annual tradition for the Smalley Institute with
over 1350 attendees in 2008. The
TunaFest has evolved over the years to include nanotechnology researchers from
several academic institutions, industrial partners from around Houston,
and nanotechnology enthusiasts from across the US.
TunaFest is the largest annual nanotechnology event in Houston.
Smalley Student Society
The Smalley
Student Society (S3) is a science club for middle school to
post-doctoral students interested in nanotechnology. The organization aims to increase the
awareness of and interest in natural sciences for the younger members and to
provide academic and networking support for the older members.
Distinguished Seminar Series
The Smalley
Institute brings a distinguished lecturer to Rice University every other year. What differentiates these seminars from
others is that the lecturer is further along in his or her career and speaks not only about scientific
interests but also provides insight into his or her long and illustrious career.
Continuing Education Students
Nano Science and Technology
Institute – Nanotech 2009
The Smalley Institute works with the NSTI to deliver
the Nanotech 2009 Conference and Trade Show.
Nanotech 2009 promotes advanced research insight and best practices,
matches buyers and sellers, showcases the latest tools and equipment, enables
strategic partnerships, and proves intellectual property licensing, venture
capital, corporate financing, and custom acquisition opportunities.
TunaFest (2008 photos)
TunaFest began
in 2002 as a small gathering faculty and students about 200 people total. We met in the middle of the summer to relax
and eat the tuna Wade Adams caught
on a recent deep-sea fishing trip. Since
then, TunaFest has become an annual tradition for the Smalley Institute with
over 1350 attendees in 2008. The
TunaFest has evolved over the years to include nanotechnology researchers from
several academic institutions, industrial partners from around Houston,
and nanotechnology enthusiasts from across the US.
TunaFest is the largest annual nanotechnology event in Houston.
Connexions
"Connexions
is a place to view and share educational material made of small
knowledge chunks called modules that can be organized as courses,
books, reports, etc. Anyone may view or contributes." The Connexions
site has several quality nanotechnology and general science modules
from Rice University faculty and others.
Distinguished Seminar Series
The Smalley
Institute brings a distinguished lecturer to Rice University every other year. What differentiates these seminars from
others is that the lecturer is further along in his or her career and speaks not only about scientific
interests but also provides insight into his or her long and illustrious career.