Event Archives - Micro Nano Technology Education Center

Maximize Your 2024 ATE PI Conference Experience

ATE PI Conference 2024 Project Center Map including Hawaii and American Samoa. — *NSF ATE Centers and Projects (listed on ATE Central). Map not captured to scale, clearly, but adjusted to visually capture the teams in Hawaii and American Samoa!*

As many within MNT-EC prepare for the 31st National ATE PI (Principal Investigators) Conference (October 23-25, 2024 in Washington, D.C.), here is some guidance to help you make the most of this invaluable event. With plenty of incredible sessions, speakers, and networking opportunities, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed.

First, if you haven’t already done so, make sure you register this week — Registration deadline is September 26, 2024.

Second, ATE PI hosts its Conference Orientation Webinar on October 10th to officially help you get oriented and prepared. Also, check out this ATE Central post, for a solid overview: 2024 ATE PI Conference: ATE for the Future (that cool map of projects and centers is linked from their post).

Community-Based Blog Post

As you attend various sessions, participate in workshops, and network, write down (or record a voice memo into your smartphone) some of your insights and ideas to share with us. We’re planning a community-based blog post after the conference, and your contributions will help build a shared pool of knowledge that benefits everyone in our ATE community. Save your key takeaways and get them to us during or after the event. You can catch Billie Copley at the event and share your thoughts with her, or email directly to: TJ at MicroNanoEducation dot Org. We plan to publish this post about two weeks after the ATE PI Conference.

Here are a few key areas we are interested to hear about:

1. Innovative Approaches: Look for sessions where speakers share new teaching techniques, creative uses of technology, or innovative approaches to workforce training. These insights could spark fresh ideas for your own programs.

2. Real-world Applications: Listen for stories that connect ATE projects to real-world impact—whether it’s helping local industries thrive or boosting student success. For sure, these are stories and case study types of ideas we want to hear about, from you and colleagues.

3. Collaborative Success Stories: Many ATE initiatives succeed because of partnerships between educational institutions and industry. Look for examples of how collaboration has led to meaningful outcomes, and consider how your (and our) partnerships can benefit from similar strategies.

4. Emerging Trends: What new technologies or skills are gaining momentum in your field? Be sure to take note of any emerging trends that could shape the future of workforce development in your industry.

5. Lessons in Adaptability: Change is ever-present, and that means we have to adapt. If you hear any stories about overcoming challenges, especially in our fast-moving world, jot them down—they can offer inspiration and solutions for others in our MNT-EC / LinkedIn community.

Share with Us Post-Conference!

No matter what sessions, panels, or informal conversations you are part of, capture those ideas, insights, and inspiration we can use in the 2024-2025 school year. Please reach out to share what you’ve learned. Let’s work toward an authentic, more connected network of professionals advancing technological education. In plain language, let’s lift one another up!

Who Is Presenting from MNT-EC?

ATE PI 2024 Conference from MNT-EC Team and Partners

Here are a few shout-outs to our team and partners for sessions they are giving at ATE PI 2024. Keep us posted if you are also presenting and we’ll list you here.

Columbus State Community College will have a spotlight session on “Aligning Strategies to Support Advanced Technological Education Talent Demand” by Shane Kirby and Michell Ward from CSCC.

Date: Thursday, October 24 at 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. (Eastern). Room: Diplomat

Shout out to Scot McLemore ǀ Executive in Residence at CSCC for sharing. Advanced Manufacturing Pathways at Columbus State Community College.

MNT-EC Co-PI, Dr. Peter Kazarinoff, Faculty, Engineering and Engineering Technology
at Portland Community College will present a Spotlight session on “J ATE URE: Getting Community College Students & Faculty Published.”

Date: Thursday, October 24 at 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. (Eastern). Room: Empire

You can read a bit more about how this presentation came about by reading Peter’s Letter from the Editor in Volume 3, Issue 2 of the Journal of Advanced Technological Education.

Spotlight Session organized by Erika Sturgis: Panel with Marci Gale, Mason Lefler, and Tiffany Calfant

Abstract: Explore strategies for streamlining data collection and management of student data within ATE projects in this panel discussion with representatives from three ATE projects. We’ll discuss how different projects prepare for multiple report types, including project annual reports, evaluation reports, and responding to the ATE Survey. Panelists will share methods they use to build and maintain their data collection infrastructure. Whether your project receives student data from an institutional research office or you track it yourself, everyone will find practical strategies to make reporting on students more effective.

***

ATE Connects Countdown session (new format)

Rick Vaughn presents Top 5 Strategies to Stay Nimble Amidst the Semiconductor Renaissance

Date: Thursday, October 24 at 4:15 – 4:25 p.m. (Eastern)

Room: Exhibit Hall

Rick Vaughn, Ph.D., Rio Salado College. Faculty Chair – STEM Initiatives

www.riosalado.edu/nanoknows

Spotlight Session: Strategies for Effective Nanotechnology and Microelectronics Education

Presenter(s)

Vishal Saravade (he/him/his) (Role: Presenter;Session Organizer)
Zachary R. Gray (Role: Presenter)
Billie Copley (Role: Presenter)
Nancy Louwagie (Role: Presenter)

Key Area of Session Focus: Curriculum & Educational Materials Development; Student Recruitment/Retention

Program Abstract: This session will include discussions and will answer thought-provoking questions in nanotechnology and microelectronics education. Proven and innovative strategies of outreach, student recruitment, hands-on education, remote education, content-delivery, professional development, and industry involvement will be discussed. PIs and Project Members from leading national nanotechnology, microelectronics, and remote-education centers will be the facilitators/panelists and presenters. Actions and ideas that have successfully enabled continuously improving education and workforce development in nanotechnology will be explained by the panelists.

Session: Building Global Partnerships: Advancing Quantum Workforce Education

Presenters: Mo Hasanovic, Jared Ashcroft, Grant Emmel

Date: Thursday, October 24; 3:10 – 3:40 p.m. (Eastern). Room: Cabinet

Spotlight session: How AI Is Predicted To Affect Multiple Disciplines

Presenters: Jared Ashcroft, Larry McWherter, Michele Robinson, and Antonio Delgado as panelists. Ann Beheler as facilitator.

Date: Thursday, October 24; 930 to 10:15 AM (Eastern). Room: Palladian.

Session: Undergraduate Research as a Recruitment and Retention Strategy Within ATE

Facilitators: Jared Ashcroft, PI, MNT-EC; Ani Hakobyan, Student, MNT-CURN; Jason Spyres, CEO and Founder, Training All People (TAP)

Program Abstract
Undergraduate research is a high impact practice in recruitment and retention of students in STEM. MNT-EC has been using undergraduate research through ATE-URE and START supplement proposals to increase the participation in MNT technician training. This session will share lessons learned from the past three years of the MNT-CURN and START programs and lead a discussion on the future of MNT-EC’s undergraduate research program. Attendees will be provided strategies in developing supplement proposals that focus on training technician through research and in developing student recruitment and evaluation strategies to increase industry support, effectiveness, and sustainability of the program.

MNT-EC Student Wins Award at SACNAS

Cal Poly student and Pasadena City College alum, Tan Nguyen, recently garnered the Best Poster Presentation Award in the General Chemistry Category at the 2023 Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM Conference held in Portland, Oregon.

MNT-CURN Chemistry Pasadena City College Alum Tan Nguyen Wins SACNAS Award with Research on Gold Nanoparticles

As a MNT-EC student, Nguyen’s award-winning presentation delved into the intricate world of gold conjugate nanoparticles, showcasing the innovative strides being made in the field.

View some photos of the conference day below. At the end of this post, you will find the full PDF poster (and a link to download it) and the text abstract.

MNT_EC_CHEMISTRY_NANO_PASADENA_TAN_AWARD

Tan Nguyen wins the best chemistry poster award at SACNAS

SACNAS_Poster2023_MNT_EC Download

Understanding Electronic Properties of Gold Nanoparticles and Antibody-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles For Use in Photothermal Cancer Medicine Abstract:

“Gold (Au) nanoparticles have been known as excellent nanomaterial candidates in multiple biomedical applications and cancer treatments including drug delivery, biomedical imaging and photothermal therapy due to their unique properties and non-cytotoxic effects on human bodies. Streptavidin is a protein isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces Avidinii that can covalently bind to the surface of Au nanoparticles to facilitate the delivery of Au nanoparticles to cancer cells for treatment. However, the electronic properties of the Streptavidin-conjugated Au nanoparticles on a molecular level are not well understood. In this study, we examine how the conjugation with Streptavidin antibody alters the electron energy profile of the Au nanoparticles through electron excitation in order to shed light on the molecular and chemical characteristics of Streptavidin-conjugated Au nanoparticles. We synthesized Au nanoparticles at Yin lab at UC Riverside and measured the absorbance values of Au nanoparticles and Streptavidin-conjugated Au nanoparticles from 400 to 650nm. We then conducted the Ultrafast Femtosecond Laser technique to capture the electron kinetics of Au and Streptavidin-conjugated Au nanoparticles after 1,2,3,4, and 5 picosecond of excitation. We found that there was a little discrepancy between the peaks of Au and Streptavidin-conjugated Au nanoparticles in terms of absorbance, and electrons in the Streptavidin-conjugated Au nanoparticles were excited and returned to the ground state faster than the non-conjugated Au nanoparticles. These results suggested that the conjugation with Streptavidin proteins affects the electronic properties of Au nanoparticles, which can allow scientists to further optimize these conjugated molecules to support photothermal medicine for cancer treatments.”

About SACNAS:

The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) awarded over one hundred graduate and undergraduate students from historically excluded communities for their research and presentation skills at their premier event, the National Diversity in STEM Conference held in Portland from October 26 through October 28, 2023. Student research presentations help equip young researchers with the skills and mentoring they need to be successful on their STEM journey. This experience helps them refine presentation skills, receive one-on-one mentoring and feedback on research, and connect with a supportive community of peers, mentors, and role models.

You can read about all of the presentations and posters in the SACNAS Abstract Book.

Invite a Female Nanoscientist or Engineer into your Classroom for Women’s History Month 2023

We will be updating this page with more resources, but for now, click this form to sign up for this wonderful opportunity from the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Below is a summary of their email.

Part of the cowling for one of the motors for a B-25 bomber is assembled in the engine department of North American [Aviation, Inc.]’s Inglewood, Calif., plant digital file from original transparency.

Palmer, Alfred T., photographer. Created / Published 1942 October.

In honor of Women’s History Month, from the Women’s History Month website.

Celebrate Women’s History Month in a unique way by inviting a female nanoscientist or nanoengineer to virtually visit your classroom!

— Fill out this Google Form to get a scientist to visit your classroom —

Click the Google Form link right above to be paired with a scientist who will talk about their exciting career paths and how they use nanotechnology to solve problems. First-come, first-served, so sign up now for a one-hour virtual session in March. Inspire your students and add value to your teaching experience with this exciting opportunity!

Experience STEAM Event a Huge Success

In early August, MNT-EC was a proud sponsor and supporter of the Experience STEAM event at the Mall of America. It is a powerful testimony of what happens when NSF Centers collaborate, partner, and lift up the work of national centers across the USA.

Organized by the National Center for Autonomous Technology (NCAT) and the individual contributions of over 40 organizations. The STEAM Carnival provided broad public engagement in addition to the 18 educator workshops, 14 STEAM camps and it fostered enormous potential for future collaborations.

We originally posted here on Think Small: NCAT Organizes Mall of America ‘Experience STEAM’ Event. Check out this photo gallery with wonderful images from MNT-EC Executive Team Member, Greg Kepner, from his experience and perspective.

Micro Nano Education Technology Center booth at Experience STEAM 2022

Check out the massive list of Educational Partners and Corporate partners who made the event possible.

Visual List of Educational Partners for Experience STEAM event, including MNT-EC and many others. — Experience STEAM Educational Partners

NCAT Organizes Mall of America ‘Experience STEAM’ Event

The National Center for Autonomous Technologies (NCAT) funded through the NSF Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) program is leading out this summer organizing a major STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) event at the Mall of America in Minnesota.

Experience STEAM attendees visiting a booth at Mall of America. August 2022.

The “Experience STEAM” event, August 10-14, 2022, is open to the public and will feature a number of additional MNT-EC partners as well that are organizing workshops and demonstrations. If you know anyone in that region of the USA, please share this post and information.

Experience STEAM is a large-scale STEAM outreach event at the Mall of America for their 30^th Birthday Party. Experience STEAM will include academic partners from both the National Science Foundation and Minnesota State Colleges & Universities. It will feature a STEAM Carnival (5-30 minute hands-on activities with no prior experience necessary), a drone cage, pre-registered events for students, teachers, and industry professionals, and a world-qualifying VEX robotics tournament. Mall of America has an average daily attendance of 100,000+ and over 1M social media followers across all platforms.

Visit the NCAT Experience STEAM website for more info.

Vote On Your Favorite Nanotechnology Photo

Did you know there is a National Nanotechnology Day?

On Saturday, October 9th, the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), celebrates National Nanotechnology Day. The 16-member network in locations around the nation began hosting an annual Plenty of Beauty at the Bottom image contest in 2019. This date, 10/9, pays homage to the nanometer scale, 10^–9 meters, in case you were wondering how October 9 was picked.

Referencing Richard Feynman’s 1959 lecture, “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” (PDF download of original article), the image contest celebrates the beauty of the micro and nanoscale. Images featured in this contest were produced at one of the 16 NNCI sites during the past two years. You can learn more about the day and many activities suitable for classrooms from Nano.gov.

We will highlight some of the winners after the voting period ends. Until then, tune in here for updates and highlights on the various images submitted this year.

Images here and on YouTube are courtesy of the NNCI (contest is over for this year, but the NNCI link to left gets you to the full image list of winners and runners-up. Some amazing photos.

STEM Competitions And Internships Encourage Deeper Learning For Students

If you have wondered how today’s youth, in the USA and around the world, are learning and growing despite the COVID-19 Pandemic, take a look at the many STEM events, competitions, and programs hosted by educational institutions, government agencies, and international organizations.

In today’s post, we are celebrating the annual Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) event Ignite Off! competition winner Janet Teng, Sophomore at Pasadena City College (PCC). “The Ignite Off! event showcases the talents of interns from participating federal agencies and offices as they share their research through Ignite Talks. Each competitor has five minutes to present their project, using 20 picture-centric slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds. Contestants have access to a professional development course that teaches the process for developing an Ignite talk,” according to the ORISE program page.

Janet Teng is an intern at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and has plans for graduate school to explore how engineering a