Groundbreaking 'NanoHigh' nanotechnology program reaches milestone with 100th graduate

(Nanowerk News) Governor Cuomo today joined SUNY’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) and the City School District of Albany (CSDA) to announce that this year’s class of 23 Albany High School students have successfully completed the pioneering “NanoHigh” program. This program, which supports the Governor’s strategy to expand New York’s high-tech workforce through nanotechnology-based education, is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation – pushing the number of NanoHigh graduates to more than 100 since the program began in 2007.
“I congratulate these graduates on being part of a unique and proven curriculum that not only prepares them for college but for exciting new high-tech fields,” Governor Cuomo said. “This partnership with SUNY’s NanoCollege and Albany High School is essential to continuing the state’s commitment to expanding its high-tech workforce, attracting new businesses and creating jobs.”
“In furtherance of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s leadership in creating opportunities for all New Yorkers through development of the world’s most advanced nanotechnology ecosystem, we congratulate this year’s class of Albany High School students on completion of the NanoHigh program,” said Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, CNSE Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are delighted to continue this collaboration with the City School District of Albany to provide students with a unique chance to learn about nanotechnology, and are encouraged that our young people have great prospects to pursue their scientific careers in New York State.”
“This program is a primary example of the powerful partnerships that are giving Albany High School students a head start in preparing for success in New York State’s nanotechnology-driven economy,” said CSDA Superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard, Ph.D. “The NanoHigh program has added a valuable dimension to the challenging curriculum available to all Albany High students. It is our pleasure to work together with the pioneering faculty and researchers at SUNY’s NanoCollege, and to provide this inspiring program to engage Albany High students in the fascinating science that will unlock exciting opportunities for their future education and careers.”
Including this year’s NanoHigh class, 113 students have now graduated from the program since its inception. The nanotechnology curriculum is taught collaboratively at both Albany High School and at CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex. Taking place throughout the school year, the program also emphasizes opportunities for students from social groups that are typically underrepresented in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Students who take part in NanoHigh work with leading CNSE faculty and scientists in the college’s world-class laboratories and cleanrooms. They conduct hands-on experiments to explore a wide variety of nanotechnology-based applications, including integrated circuit technologies and nanoscale patterning and fabrication; nanobiomedical applications, such as innovations in nanomedicine and forensic DNA fingerprinting; clean energy technologies, such as dye-sensitized solar cells and ultracapacitors for energy storage; and nanoeconomics.
A ceremony to recognize the NanoHigh graduates was held at CNSE, with a new class scheduled to begin in the fall, allowing another group of 23 students to become engaged in the cutting-edge science of the 21st century.
Source: CNSE