Press Release:  2004

NSF Funds Three New Centers for Learning and Teaching
New Centers bring expertise in mathematics, engineering, and nanoscience education
December 2004, CLT Net Newsletter Vol. 2 Issue 4

Three new Centers have joined the CLT community: the Center for the Mathematics Education of Latinos/as (CEMELA), the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (NCETE), and the Center for Learning and Teaching in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NCLT).

CEMELA, led by Marta Civil at the University of Arizona, is an interdisciplinary consortium focused on the research and practice of teaching mathematics to Latino/a students in the United States. CEMELA brings together experts in mathematics education, mathematics, language, and culture to collaboratively work on improving the mathematics education of low-income Latino/a students. CEMELA aims to understand the interplay of mathematics education and the unique language, social, and political issues that affect Latino/a communities by bringing together the primary stakeholders in the education of children: parents, school administrators, and teachers. CEMELA's work will be relevant not only to Latinos/as but also to other groups of linguistically and culturally diverse students through the development of theory and practice on how to turn language and cultural diversity into educational assets for the mathematics education of all students. Visit their website at http://cemela.math.arizona.edu.

NCETE, led by Christine Hailey at Utah State University, brings together engineering and technology teams from Brigham Young University, California State University Los Angeles, Illinois State University, North Carolina A&T University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Georgia, University of Minnesota, and University of Wisconsin-Stout. The Center's goal is to increase the quality, quantity, and diversity of engineering and technology educators, and to significantly strengthen the pathways to engineering and technology professions for students. The Center is accomplishing this goal by conducting research in emerging engineering and technology education areas, creating a body of research that improves our understanding of learning and teaching engineering and technology subjects, preparing technology education teachers at the BS and MS level who can infuse engineering design into the curriculum, and strengthening the pathways for students to select engineering, science, mathematics, and technology careers. Visit their website at http://www.ncete.org/.

NCLT, led by Robert P.H. Chang at Northwestern University, is a partnership between Northwestern University, Purdue University, the University of Michigan, Argonne National Laboratories, and the Universities of Illinois at Chicago and Urbana-Champaign. The NCLT mission is to develop scientist-educators who can introduce nanoscience and nanoengineering concepts into schools and undergraduate classrooms. The Center will play a key role in a national network of researchers and educators committed to ensuring that all Americans are academically prepared to participate in the new opportunities nanotechnology will offer.

Undergraduate course materials will be field-tested and evaluated at multiple sites, including five minority-serving institutions: Alabama A & M University, Fisk University, Hampton University, Morehouse College, and the University of Texas at El Paso. Drawing on the strengths of the various partners in nanotechnology, instructional materials development, educational assessment, and student cognition, NCLT will create modular education materials designed to integrate with existing curricula in grades 7-12 that will align with national and state science education standards. To see the press release on NCLT, visit http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-10/nsf-nff100104.php .

Nanotechnology Set to Transform Markets, Industries, and Business Models
December 1, 2004, MSI Magazine www.msimag.com

Companies in virtually every industry should become knowledgeable of developments in nanotechnology, says Dr. Iwona Turlik, corporate VP of Motorola, and director of Motorola's laboratory at the Physical Realization Research Center. Companies that are first to apply the new technology could develop such commanding market positions that being a "fast-follower" would not be good enough.

"In basic industries like automotive and materials, I don't know if it's registered that this is a big deal," says Turlik. "For some people it's too much hype, but this is a major industrial revolution - the sixth industrial revolution - because it is a general-purpose technology like steam engines, electricity, and transistors. It will completely disrupt markets, industries, and business models."

Nanotechnology is the branch of engineering that deals with things smaller than 100 nanometers, including the building of electronic circuits and devices using single atoms and molecules. At this scale, unique properties and functions - especially resulting from quantum effects - can be manipulated and used in ways never before possible.

Nanotechnology will provide major, long-term competitive advantages to early adopters, according to Turlik. In the area of material sciences, nanotechnology will, for example, enable the production of automobile tires that never wear out. Motorola is working with researchers at Cornell and Michigan University to develop conductive "nano-velcro" that will enable the manufacture and assembly of electronics without solder or adhesives. These "nano-hooks" create a joint that is stronger than many traditional assembly methods and can be manufactured at room temperature.

"It would allow reel-to-reel paper and textile electronics assembly, and create ultrathin flexible IC [integrated circuit] manufacturing that would replace traditional IC plastic packaging," says Turlik.

Giving credence to the idea that it is never too early to start educating people, the National Science Foundation (NSF) recently awarded a five-year, $15-million grant to fund the nation's first Center for Learning and Teaching in Nanoscience and Engineering (NCLT) aimed at developing educational materials for 7-12th grade students.

The NSF grant was awarded to Northwestern University, which will spearhead a consortium. Drawing on the strengths of the various participating partners, NCLT will create modular education materials designed to integrate with existing course curricula and align with national and state science education standards.

The initial goal of the project is to reach one million U.S. students.

P I O N E E R S: Nanoschooling
October 29, 2004, Science Magazine

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/vol306/issue5697/r-samples.dtl#306/5697/809a

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Northwestern Receives $15 Million NSF Grant for Nano Learning Center
October 4, 2004, by Megan Fellman, Northwestern University

http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2004/10/nano.html

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NSF Funds First Nanoscale Center for Learning and Teaching
October 1, 2004, National Science Foundation

http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=100448&org=NSF

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NSF funds nano-related coursework for grades 7-12
September 27, 2004, Small Times

http://www.smalltimes.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?ARTICLE_ID=269657&p=109

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