Project DUNES: Developing undergraduate nanoscale experiences in the sciences

CHED 868

Kimberly A. O. Pacheco, kimberly.pacheco@unco.edu, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern Colorado, 501 20th St., Campus Box 98, Greeley, CO 80639, Richard W. Schwenz, Richard.Schwenz@unco.edu, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, Jerry P. Suits, jerry.suits@unco.edu, School of Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Physics, University of Northern Colorado, Campus Box 98, Greeley, CO 80639, Wayne E. Jones Jr., wjones@binghamton.edu, Department of Chemistry, State university of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY 13902, and Courtney Willis, Dept. of Physics, Univ. of Northern Colorado, Univ. of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639.
In 2005, the NSF funded UNC's Project DUNES – Developing Undergraduate Nanoscale Experiences in the Sciences. Project DUNES is meeting the goals of (a) enhancing undergraduates' ability to understand nanoscience concepts while giving them hands-on experiences, (b) preparing undergraduates to enter a workforce prepared for careers or graduate studies in nanoscience, (c) educating future K-12 teachers about nanoscience and the societal issues arising from this emerging technology while developing their teaching skills, and (d) giving students the opportunity for interdisciplinary peer interactions, nurturing an appreciation for the cross disciplinary nature of nanotechnology. The project includes student participation in interdisciplinary learning communities focused on nanoscience, incorporating a series of nanoscience modules into established courses, and pre-service teacher participation in an internship program to develop and implement the nanoscience modules. This presentation includes a discussion of the modules developed during summer 2006 and the results of a preliminary investigation of the modules' evaluation.
 

Nanotechnology in Undergraduate Education
1:30 PM-5:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 McCormick Place North -- Room N227B, Level 2, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007