Businesses Need to Plant Nano Seeds in Schools - Small Times online magazine article, by the director of the National Nanotechnology Initiative

NanoSonic, Inc. started by a professor at Virginia Tech has developed kits for use in high schools that demonstrate how to build nanoscale electronic devices.

The University of Wisonsin Madison has an extensive program entitled "Exploring the Nanoworld". They have developed resources for K-12 and college programs including kits, modules for high school teachers, a video lab manual, and movies. In addition, they have programs such as Internships for Public Science Education and research experiences for teachers and undergraduates. An interesting project involves learning about nanotechnology with LEGO® bricks.

One of the most developed programs belongs to the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Their program allows middle and high school students to explore the nanoscale properties of viruses "hands-on" using a set of devices known as the nanomanipulator. Using computers, the students are able to visualize and manipulate output from an Atomic Force Microscope in a virtual reality setting. In some cases, the instrument is remotely driven by the commands given by the student! Their website includes testimonials from students who have used the nanomanipulator.

The Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) at Rice University has several educational outreach efforts, including middle school programs where students can build designer "kids" from the ground up with atoms, a high school program that focuses on teacher training, a program for undergraduates at Rice University, and a program for interested people from the community that is run through the School of Continuing Studies.

The Columbia University Nanocenter has an educational outreach program that includes:

• research experience, seminars, and internships for undergraduates
• visits to selected high school classrooms
• small group visits to the nanocenter
• visiting scholars program
• annual retreat (about what?)
• career day in nanotechnology
• etc.

The Cornell NanoBioTechnology Center K-12 Education Program includes

• a travelling museum display "It's a Nano World"
• summer institute for middle and elementary school teachers
• middle school science program for girls
• high school "science trunks" available through the Lending Library of the Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers
• research experience for teachers; a six-week laboratory collaboration
• development of a children's book about nanotechnology
• high school student internships
• Montessori curriculum development program with kits that contain different modules for grades K-4
• specific lesson plans for K-12 curriculum

Harvard University Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center educational activities - website and program under development; it will involve research experiences for undergraduates and teachers.

The Nanotechnology Group, Inc. is a non-profit organization built from collaborations with universities, organizations, government agencies, and companies to develop virtual reality experiences in nanotechnology that are accessible through the internet. Their educational links page has several links to virtual reality and online science and math activities that are not directly related to nanoscience.

Northwestern University Nanomanufacturing Research Institute Education and Outreach program focuses on developing interdisciplinary research experiences for undergraduates in the field of nanomanufacturing and visits to local high schools. Some high school students will be invited to participate in research.

Northwestern University Institiute for Nanotechnology education programs

Nano-World.org is a project developed through the Swiss Virtual Campus; it is still in the demonstration stage and some pages are not in English, but there are some very exciting interactive materials!

The Penn State Advanced Technology Regional Center for Education in Nanotechnology focuses on undergraduate educational experiences.