T welve teachers from metropolitan Nashville public middle and high schools attended the 2nd NCLT nano-science workshop at Fisk University from June 18-29, 2007. Fisk University has hosted the NCLT workshop for Nashville science teachers in cooperation with Ms. Sarah Baker, the science coordinator of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS).

This two-week long workshop offered science teachers opportunities to work with nanoscience researchers, science educators, and learning tool experts in content development and laboratory experiments from Fisk, Vanderbilt, and Purdue Universities. The activities included: (1) lectures of the NCLT nano-modules, (2) introducing nanoscience in the classroom of 7-12 grades and curriculum development in nanoscale science, (3) hands-on experiments and activities, (4) nanoscience seminars, and (5) teacher’s plans for implementation of nanoscience into their classrooms.

Teachers and instructors participating at the 2nd NCLT Professional Development workshop.	Teachers using a SEM (scanning electron microscope) to examine biological samples.
Teachers are building a nano-tube model.	Participants are conducting the “Ferrofluid” experiment.

The NCLT workshops at Fisk University have been well received by these science teachers. Mr. Josh Cooper from Isaac Litton Middle School commented, “For me, I am now fired up and recharged to get back in the classroom. For my students, I now have many more hands-on/inquiry based activities that will help to engage them in the world of science/nano-science”. Additionally, this workshop has become a bridge for nanoscience educational collaborations and partnerships between Nashville public schools and Fisk, Northwestern, and Vanderbilt Universities.

The Professional Development workshop at Fisk University will continue in the summer of 2008. For more information on the program, contact the coordinator Prof. Weijie Lu at wlu@fisk.edu or visit http://www.nclt.us.