Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: UAlbany Nanocollege & Girls Inc. partner on Eureka!® program to motivate girls to pursue nanotechnology educational and career paths: First-of-its-kind program in New York will address national need to inspire more young women to explore opportunities in the growing field of nano

Home > Press > UAlbany Nanocollege & Girls Inc. partner on Eureka!® program to motivate girls to pursue nanotechnology educational and career paths: First-of-its-kind program in New York will address national need to inspire more young women to explore opportunities in the growing field of nano

Abstract:
Addressing the critical national need to expand the number of young women who pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany and Girls Inc. today announced that they intend to partner to establish New York's only Girls Inc. Eureka!® program - and the nation's first to focus on nanotechnology - as a means of encouraging girls to explore the growing educational and workforce opportunities in nanotechnology.

UAlbany Nanocollege & Girls Inc. partner on Eureka!® program to motivate girls to pursue nanotechnology educational and career paths: First-of-its-kind program in New York will address national need to inspire more young women to explore opportunities in the growing field of nano

Albany, NY | Posted on September 14th, 2011

CNSE and Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region are collaborating to tailor the national Girls Inc. Eureka!® program to provide an intensive interdisciplinary and hands-on experience that introduces girls ages 12 through 18 to career paths and post-secondary educational opportunities in nanoscience, nanoengineering and nanobioscience. Serving an initial class of up to 30 girls - and as many as 150 students over the next five years - the innovative initiative will include a four-to-six week program starting next summer at CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex; additional educational and workforce training activities throughout the school year; and opportunities for paid internships focused in the areas of math, science and technology.

The program is particularly timely given the emergence of New York's nanotechnology sector, fueled by the rapid growth of the UAlbany NanoCollege, and projections by the National Science Foundation that the nanotechnology field will employ 6 million people worldwide by 2020, with 2 million in the United States.

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and CEO of CNSE, said, "The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to partner with the forward-thinking Girls Inc. on this first-of-its-kind effort to introduce girls to nanotechnology, the field that will define their educational paths and career opportunities in the 21st century innovation economy. In bringing together the inspiration and empowerment embodied by Girls Inc. and the world-class nanotechnology education and research of CNSE, we look forward to cultivating a unique environment that will give girls a true ‘foot in the door' on their way toward an exciting future."

Judy Vredenburgh, National President and CEO of Girls Inc., said, "Girls Inc. thanks the world-renowned College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering for their partnership to establish the only Girls Inc. Eureka!® program in New York State. This partnership allows Girls Inc. to bring more life-changing programs to girls, and better prepare them for the workforce, particularly in the STEM fields."

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "We must prepare all our students with the education and training they need for the jobs of the future. This partnership among Dr. Kaloyeros, the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, together with Girls, Inc. will help spark more interest in math, science, engineering, and technology for more young girls in our classrooms today so they can be the innovators of tomorrow."

U.S. Representative Paul Tonko said, "I want to commend UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and Girls Inc. for this partnership that will give young women the opportunity to explore nanotechnology. The economy of the future will be powered by science, and we have a critical need for programs that will get young women interested in science, technology, and math, and prepare them with the skills they will need to compete for jobs."

New York State Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari said, "I commend Dr. Kaloyeros and the talented staff at CNSE and Girls Inc. for this innovative and enterprising program which will provide a spark for today's young women to become trailblazers of tomorrow in the exciting and emerging world of nanotechnology."

Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings said, "I enthusiastically applaud and wholeheartedly support this innovative partnership between the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region, which will provide young women with a wonderful opportunity to explore the emerging field of nanotechnology. The unique education and workforce training that the girls will receive through this program will ensure that they are well-positioned to pursue academic and career paths in science and technology that offer much promise for an exciting and successful future."
Gail Wilson-Giarratano, President and CEO of Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region, said, "I am so excited to have the opportunity to partner with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, particularly because this program will truly place the girls in the center of the incredible nanotechnology sector in the Capital Region. I look forward to working closely with Dr. Kaloyeros and CNSE to build this groundbreaking initiative that will provide the girls with unique access to the exciting educational and career paths that represent the future of our technology-driven society."

The announcement capped a visit to the Capital Region by Vredenburgh, who toured CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex - the most advanced research enterprise in the academic world - and met with government, academic, business and community leaders to discuss the Girls Inc. Eureka!® program, which begins by addressing girls in middle school who are at high risk of losing interest in STEM-related subjects just as they are beginning to set educational and career goals.

Planning is also underway by CNSE and Girls Inc. for a full-day forum, the "Nano Girls Summit," to be held this fall at the UAlbany NanoCollege. Presented by Time Warner Cable as part of its Connect a Million Minds initiative, the event is designed to provide middle school students and teachers with unique educational workshops, hands-on training, and opportunities to interact with faculty and scientists from CNSE and its global corporate partners. The program also includes activities focused on building leadership and problem-solving skills to empower, inspire and better prepare girls for their future.

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About CNSE
The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to education, research, development, and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex is the most advanced research enterprise of its kind at any university in the world. With over $7.5 billion in high-tech investments, the 800,000-square-foot complex attracts corporate partners from around the world and offers students a one-of-a-kind academic experience. The UAlbany NanoCollege houses the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 80,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,600 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty work on site, from companies including IBM, GlobalFoundries, SEMATECH, Toshiba, Samsung, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML, Novellus Systems, Vistec Lithography and Atotech. An expansion now underway is projected to increase the size of CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex to over 1,250,000 square feet of next-generation infrastructure housing over 135,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms and more than 3,750 scientists, researchers and engineers from CNSE and global corporations.

About Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region.

Girls Incorporated inspires all girls to be strong, smart and boldSM. We help girls in grades K-12 overcome economic, social and gender barriers to grow up healthy, educated, and independent by providing life-changing programs and experiences. At Girls Inc. we understand the complexity of girls' lives and provide free access to a wide range of programs dealing with STEM Education, Health & Nutrition, Pregnancy & Drug Use Prevention, Media & Economic Literacy, Career Exploration & much more. For information, visit www.girlsinccapitalregion.org.

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Contacts:
Steve Janack
Vice President
Marketing and Communications
CNSE
(phone) 518-956-7322
(email)

Gail Wilson-Giarratano
President & CEO
Girls Inc.
Greater Capital Region
(phone) 518-423-3258
(email)