Upcoming Teacher Workshops from the University of New Mexico

Nanoscience in the K-12 Classroom
Socorro, New Mexico, January 24 - 26 (Thursday evening - Saturday afternoon). Topics include: introduction to Materials Science, introduction to Nanoscience, Ethics and Biotechnology, Nanotechnology Applications, Explosives Chemistry and hands-on activities with fuel cells, and hydrophobicity. We will see how playing with "Magic Sand" is an easy way of showing how changes on the atomic, or nano-scale can have a profound impact on the way materials behave in our macroscopic world. Lesson plans and kits will be distributed. Teachers will receive a $100 stipend and have the option to receive one graduate credit from the New Mexico Tech Masters of Science Teaching Program for participation in the workshop and another one credit for directed study, which entails development of age-appropriate lessons related to Nanoscience. Contact Vannetta Perry for information at vperry@nmt.edu

Hands On Nanoscience Workshop April 17-April 19, 2008
Teachers are invited to a free workshop exploring nanoscience and nanotechnology at UNM's Center for High Technology Materials. Through lectures and hands-on labs, participants will learn about nanofabrication, sensors, fuel cells, solar cells, aerogels, hydrophobic materials, nano in bioengineering and medicine and the ethics of nanotechnology. Teachers will receive a $100 stipend, 1 unit of graduate credit from the College of Education, a solar cell/fuel cell car kit and materials including lesson plans linked to New Mexico standards.

Workshop on Nanoscience in Cosmetics
Do you find middle school girls losing interest in science? Maybe this workshop will help. Nanoscience is an important tool in the development of cosmetics. As of several years ago the company with the second most nanotechnology patents in Europe was L'Oreal. This half day workshop will explore the history of cosmetics and the ways in which nanotechnology is changing the industry. This Albuquerque workshop will be part of the New Mexico Science Teacher Associations outreach program.

Summer Nanocamp
We are offering two 1.5 week teacher workshops in conjunction with a summer nanocamp for middle school students at the Albuquerque Academy. Teachers will learn and develop hands-on nanoscience curricula for two hours in the morning and then will have a chance to try out activities on students for three hours in the afternoon. Other activities include lectures and demonstrations by nanoscientists and graduate students and a visit to clean room facilities, a scanning electron microscope and other labs at UNM. Teachers will receive a small stipend, lesson plans and materials to take back to their classes, and they will receive 2 units of graduate credit from the UNM College of Education. Two 2008 sessions: June 23 - July 2 and July 3 - July 11. Full scholarships for students are available.

Flyer for Teachers (81kB .pdf)

Flyer for Campers (500kB .pdf)

For more information contact Stefi Weisburd