Posted: December 22, 2008

Participation in UAlbany nanotechnology outreach programs shows 25 percent increase over 2007

(Nanowerk News) More than 2,500 elementary, middle- and high-school students throughout New York State participated in educational outreach programs and initiatives this year at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany, representing a 25 percent increase over 2007.
Combined with educational activities conducted off-site at venues that included schools, conferences, seminars and forums in the Capital District and Hudson Valley regions and across the state, students, faculty and staff at the UAlbany NanoCollege interacted with more than 6,000 K-12 students this year.
Highlights of CNSE's educational outreach initiatives included graduation of the first class from the pioneering "NanoHigh" program developed jointly by CNSE and the City School District of Albany; launch of the first-ever Excelsior Scholars Nanoscale Science Summer Institute, which served students from five area school districts; four editions of the highly popular NanoCareer Day, which gave students at 40 schools an introduction to the exciting world of nanotechnology; and, hosting of students involved in the Tech Valley Summer Camp and Gateway Academy Summer Program.
Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to have had the opportunity to provide more than 2,500 students with a firsthand look at the exciting world of nanotechnology through an expanding series of pioneering educational outreach initiatives. Working in partnership with school districts and educational organizations across the state, CNSE is pleased to play a role in beginning to prepare students for the field that will define their future careers, while at the same time helping to build the future workforce that is needed to sustain and grow the nanotechnology industry in New York State."
Altogether, more than 25,000 people representing the education, technology, business, government, community and non-profit sectors participated in educational and community outreach initiatives at the UAlbany NanoCollege during 2008, which also represents a 25 percent increase from 2007. CNSE's inaugural Community Day and first-ever celebration of NANOvember, a month-long series of events and programs designed to increase public understanding of the benefits of nanotechnology and the growing global leadership of CNSE, highlighted this year's community outreach activities.
Source: CNSE