“Transforming the Tri-State Philadelphia Region:
A PFI In Science & Technology Education”
PI: James K. Murray, Jr. Department of Chemistry, Immaculata University
CoPI: David E. Luzzi College of Engineering, Northeastern University
CoPI: Sr. Ann M. Heath, Immaculata University
CoPI: Melody R. Wilt, Chester County Intermediate Unit
Senior Investigator: Barry F. Stein, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of SE PA
NSF# 0650271 Years of Award: 3 Dates: 03/15/08 – 02/28/11
Key Attributes of our
Innovation Ecosystem:
Brief Project Overview:
Use nanotechnology as a tool to excite students’ interest in
science and technology
Utilize “Teach the Teacher” programs to reach large numbers
of students.
Through workshops and courses give teachers the
knowledge and tools to introduce nanotechnology content
seamlessly into their present courses.
Encourage teacher creativity through experiment modules
that illustrate nanotechnology concepts while being consistent
with current subject-driven activity and educational standards.
A guiding principal is reduction of barriers between
students and faculty, faculty and industry
Questioning & Curiosity:
Picture or
Logo from
your project
here
• Nanotechnology content stimulates students’ inquiry, a
major component of today’s instruction. The mass of
material available for student follow-up, particularly on
the Web, is substantial.
• Relates real world applications to Nanotechnology
roots (things like computer hard drives and LED
lighting)
Risk Taking:
Teachers at a workshop
performing an experiment
demonstrating new optical
properties of nano-size Au
Since there is a paucity of nanotechnology material
currently available in textbooks, teachers who opt to
offer nanotechnology content are working outside the
“box.”
Program Activities:
Workshops and courses
A Look into the Nano World
Introduction to Nanotechnology
Modular approach since changes in
curricula are often difficult to implement
 Workshop and course include take-with
laboratory experiment material for each
teacher.
“Tele-experimentation” capability;
computer access for students in their
classroom to sophisticated instrumentation,
such as focused ion beam microscopes,
through which they can image atoms, optical
absorption spectroscopy, and laser scatteringbased nanometer particle-size analyzers.
Videoconferencing capability so that
students in the classroom can interact on a
real-time basis with university and corporate
partners.
Lesson plans for each of the
nanotechnology lesson modules to encourage
teacher participation. Use of the plans will
enable the teachers to quickly integrate the
material in their classrooms
Openness:
Teachers have developed and shared lesson content.
Teachers have shared best classroom instruction
practices.
Collaboration Across Fields:
We have found that teachers in the following fields
have taken nanotechnology workshops and courses
and have interacted:
Mathematics
Chemistry
Biology
Top Contributions:
Physics
General Science
1. Presented 33 one-day
nanotechnology workshops
Technology
2. Reached more than 300
teachers in 30+ school districts
Placing Partners in “New
Environments” & “Playgrounds”:
3. Classroom lessons given to
more than 750 middle and high
school students
Company partners visit schools and make presentations
that include technical, business, and career content
Teachers visit company laboratories
Teachers and students get opportunity to view
instrumentation not ordinarily available. Things like a
particle size analyzer or powerful microscopy is not ordinarily
found in high schools.
Top Challenges:
Partners:










BioNanomatrix
Innova Materials
iCeutica
Carbon Nanoprobes
NanoSelect
Minus-Nine
Endo Pharmaceuticals
Y-Carbon
LifeSensors
NanoBlox
PFI
1. Teacher’s willingness/ability to
incorporate lessons in their
classes
2. Teacher’s willingness/ability to
schedule company visits
Leading/Inspiring for Surprising
or Unexpected Results
3. Reluctance to change curricula
 Program receptivity across a wide range of school
districts
 Ease of implementation varying from school to school

.
National Science Foundation Partnerships For Innovation
Grantee’s Meeting April 25-27, 2010
Arlington, VA
.
.