Aug 15 2008
Twenty-five Capital Region middle-school students received certificates today as members of the first class to graduate from the inaugural Excelsior Scholars Nanoscale Science Summer Institute, a partnership between the City School District of Albany ("CSDA") and the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") that built on the success of the groundbreaking "NanoHigh" program developed jointly by CSDA and CNSE.
At an event held at CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex, students from CSDA, Bethlehem Central School District, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central Schools, Mohonasen Central School District and the Shenendehowa Central School District also participated in a poster presentation to demonstrate the results of their research activities.
The six-week program, which was funded through the New York State Education Department's Excelsior Scholars Program for Grade Seven Mathematics and Science Students, provided a foundational understanding of the fundamental principles and applications of nanoscale science and engineering. It included an up-close look at several cutting-edge areas of nanotechnology, such as nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, nanobioscience and solar-powered devices.
"We are pleased to have been able to build on our great partnership with the UAlbany NanoCollege to expand the opportunities available to our students in nanoscience, and to have provided opportunities for students in other Capital Region school districts to benefit from the great resource that the NanoCollege is to our community," said CSDA Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D.
Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to have been able to provide students from across the Capital Region with a unique and unparalleled look at the exciting world of nanotechnology through the inaugural Excelsior Scholars Nanoscale Science Summer Institute. The strategic partnership between CNSE and the City School District of Albany has given school districts from across the region the opportunity to share in this pioneering educational paradigm that provides students a firsthand look at nanoscale science and engineering, the field that will shape their careers in the future."
Each week, students attended two days of introductory nanoscience courses taught at Albany High School, and then brought those classroom lessons to life with hands-on, interactive laboratory activities conducted at CNSE's world-class Albany NanoTech Complex. Participating students were selected by their home school districts based upon distinguished work in mathematics and science.