Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Taiwan nano education team to visit U.S. universities

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Abstract:
The 1st International Collaboration on K-12 nano science courses

A Taiwan nano education team will visit two U.S. universities

October 31, 2005

A long-held dream of a team of engineering professors and teachers from Taiwan to visit the United States and share their vision for K-12 nano science education has been approved by the Advisory Office, Ministry of Education of Taiwan.

Judith Light Feather, President of The NanoTechnology Group Inc. (TNTG), a Global Consortium for Nano Science Education was selected to arrange an agenda for the group from Taiwan. They are scheduled to arrive in Phoenix, Arizona on November 4, 2005 to share their project to develop K-12 nano science curriculum with the Arizona State University (ASU) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison MRSEC. (UW-MRSEC)

"International relationships and the sharing of educational ideas are important as we rapidly become a global community." stated Light Feather. "Collaborative meetings between countries to share their projects will ensure educational opportunities at the nano scale of science, where 'size does matter' as we all strive to stimulate the curiosity of young minds to explore these recently discovered secrets of nature."

A two-day agenda has been planned at each of the universities for the International visit.

Arizona State University Professor B. Ramakrishna, School of Life Sciences, Project Director of INVSEE (Interactive NanoVisualization for Science and Engineering Education) and Director of the GK-12 project at ASU has planned the agenda highlighting projects from their nano education outreach programs.

The team will meet at the Goldwater Science and Engineering Building with the "Welcome" by Dr. Peter Crouch, Dean of Fulton School of Engineering and Vice Provost for Global Engagement, followed by Introductions of the participants and speakers by Professor B. Ramakrishna, who will also provide an Overview of ASU's efforts in Nanotechnology Education. An Overview of Taiwan's efforts in Nanotechnology Education will then be presented by the Taiwan team for international sharing of education goals.

Presentations by project directors at ASU are scheduled as follows:

Stephen Goodnick - Head of Nanoinitiatives at ASU
Dan Guston - Director of Center for Nanotechnology and Society
Neal Woodbury - Director of Center for BioOptical Nanotechnology, Biodesign Institute
Jenny Si - China Initiatives, Center for Research on Education in Science, Math, Engineering and Technology
Qiang Hu - Environmental Nanoetchnology research and education
Andrew Chizmeshya - Visualization Facility- modeling and instrumentation resources for K-12 education, followed by a tour of the Center for Solid State Science, Center for Solid State Electronics Research, Decision Theater

Michael McKelvy will present the "Science is Fun" demonstrations and Kenneth Mossman and B. Ramakrishna will present the "Patterns in Nature Van" project that travels to local area schools.

Vincent Pizziconi, Kenneth Mossman and B. Ramakrishna will present the Interactive NanoVisualization for Science and Engineering Education (INVSEE) project. The second day is devoted to demonstrations of the INVSEE project along with the activities and kits prepared for Nanotechnology education.

The activities will conclude with discussions on collaborative activities and potential future partnerships between the two countries.

Sandra Kay-Helsel Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief of San Diego based NanoBioNexus, Board Member of the state of Arizona's Nanotech Cluster and TNTG's Project Director for all nano science education and social implications and virtual media development will be joining the group for the presentations on Nov. 5 at ASU.

The team will then travel to Madison, Wisconsin for two days with Olivia Castellini, Post-doc of the Interdisciplinary Education Group and the Program Coordinator of the Internships in Public Science Education (IPSE) program at UW-Madison MRSEC. An Overview will be presented by Professor Wendy Crone, and a presentation on "Teaching the Size Scale" by Greta Zenner, Assistant Director MRSEC Education Group including:

Mitten Challenge
"nanoscale" talk
Try This! packets/Exploring the Nanoworld kits

Tabletop demos will be presented by Dr. Ken Gentry, and the Kits by Olivia Castellini.

The Chemistry Outreach Activities (NSEC/ICE) for K-12 science will be presented by Professor John Moore and Dr. Andrew Greenberg, while "Targeting grades 5-8 for science outreach" will be presented by Diane Nutbrown (SPICE), followed by a Dinner hosted by the MRSEC.

The agenda for Tuesday, November 8th will start with Exhibits presented by Olivia Castellini and IPSE interns, followed by the Presentation of the Taiwanese delegation of their project with an open discussion.

Lab Activities & Website resources will be presented by Prof. George Lisensky, from Beloit College, the PEOPLE program by Ms. Jacqueline Dewalt, with the conclusion of the program sharing the Classroom Activity Guides and Curriculum Modules by Dr. Amy Payne.

Since this is the first cross-cultural sharing of ideas and curriculum in the effort to develop global nano science education for grades K-12 by The NanoTechnology Group Inc., the development of the university participation and agenda for this visit was based on the following description of the program in Taiwan.

Introduction of K-12 Nanotechnology Program in Taiwan

The K-12 Nanotechnology Program was established in August, 2002. The program was located at the Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University. After the pilot program ended in 2003, the Ministry of Education established a full K-12 Nanotechnology Program in January, 2004 that included five regional centers throughout Taiwan. Engineering professors at local universities in each region were recruited to lead the five regional centers. Through the expansion of the program, more schools and teachers were involved and additional methods for dissemination were explored. Currently, the K-12 Nanotechnology Program office is running by Professor Tsung-Tsong Wu of the Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University.

The focus of the K-12 Nanotechnology Program was to provide teachers information about nanotechnology to expand their knowledge stimulating them to develop material and methods to inspire their students in learning about advanced technology. After the regional programs were funded, a main office was established at National Taiwan University to supervise the regional centers. The main program office issued general guidelines, but each center customized their activities for teacher training. For example, some regional centers collaborated with local science and technology museums for exhibits; others tailored the workshops to teachers of different subjects and teaching levels. In about two years, 606 teachers from 169 schools participated in five regional programs. The participating teachers entered the program with little knowledge about nanotechnology. By the end of 2003, they were able to develop 224 lesson plans, write one book, and create one animated film.

The participating teachers from the pilot program organized their work throughout the project beginning in 2002. The teachers wrote a three-part book titled Nanotechnology Symphony-Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. This book was used as material for teacher training as well as introductory material for nanotechnology to the general public. The animated film was released in July, 2004. A Fantastic Journey for Nana and Nono is a 15-minute long film in Chinese language with Chinese and English subtitles. A comic book entitled Nano BlasterMan was created for middle school students. It depicted an adventure of a superhero "Nano BlasterMan" who could use the power of nanotechnology to fight evil. Professional illustrators designed the comic book, but the engineering faculty at the main program office outlined the technical details.

The program included lectures and workshops, on-line courses, and websites. Visit this link for more information.

Professors and teachers on the team visit to the United States include:

Dr. Pei-Ling Liu (Leader) Director, Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University
Dr. Horn-Jiunn Sheen - Professor, Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University
Dr. Jing-Tang Yang - Professor, National Tsing Hua University
Dr. Fuh-Sheng Shieu - Professor, National Chung Hsing University Department of Materials Engineering
Dr. Chao-Ming Fu - Professor & Head of Department, Applied Physics Department, National University of Kaoshiung
Dr. Yu-Shiu Lo - Assistant Professor of National Dong Hwa University Chemistry Department
Mr. Yen-Hung Pan - Teacher of Taipei First Girl High School
Mr. Chin-Hui Chung - Course Experiment & Research Administrator of Lu Chu Senior High School

The third part of the visit to the Cranbrook Institute of Science exhibit "It's a Nano World" developed by Cornell University was cancelled due to conflicting commitments in Taiwan, requiring the team to return a day earlier than planned. However, John Bedz, Director of Michigan Small Tech Association and co-sponsor of the exhibit generously offered to host the visiting team and gratitude and regrets for the cancellation have been expressed by all parties.

The NanoTechnology Group Inc. is honored to work with the team from Taiwan and looks forward to a continuing relationship between both countries for the development of grades K-12 Nano Science Education.

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At Arizona State University:
Professor B.L. Ramakrishna, Project Director, "Interactive NanoVisualization for Science and Engineering Education" project, and Director, Grades K-12 project at ASU.

UW-Madison Wisconsin MRSEC:
A good way to get started exploring the nanoworld is to go to the UW-Madison Wisconsin MRSEC website and visit these links:
link 1
link 2
link 3

About The NanoTechnology Group Inc.:
The NanoTechnology Group Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization incorporated in Texas with an international group of members and welcomes collaboration in the United States and all countries to support education projects that lead to student and public awareness through formal and informal education globally.

For more information, please click here

Contact:
Judith Light Feather, President
The NanoTechnology Group Inc.
Judith.LightFeather@TNTG.org
US Cell Phone: 830-660-0054
International Calls: +1-936-867-4025

Copyright � The NanoTechnology Group

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