For those of us north of the 49th parallel, it’s Thanksgiving. To everyone who celebrates this holiday on the 2nd Monday of October: Have a wonderful day!
Onto nanotechnology, according to a Sept. 25, 2017 US National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) news release,
National Nanotechnology Day is an annual event featuring a series of community-led events and activities on or around October 9th to help raise awareness of nanotechnology, how it is currently used in products that enrich our daily lives, and the challenges and opportunities it holds for the future. This date, 10/9, pays homage to the nanometer scale, 10-9 meters.Now in its second year, planning for various events and activities is underway at schools, labs, and organizations around the country!In addition, the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office is promoting the following activities:
- 100 Billion Nanometer Dash: a challenge to run #100BillionNanometers (equal to 100 meters), share your pictures and videos, and get added to our online map! Print a Certificate of Achievement and a gold medal for your runners.
- Nanotechnology Podcasts: NNCO is producing a series of 5-10 minute podcasts that share stories from the NNI to be launched on National Nano Day.
What are you planning for National Nano Day 2017? *
See a list of planned activities for 2017 *Here are some suggestions:
- Lab tours and open houses
- Outreach events with demonstrations
- Host your own nano-related image, video, or illustration contests
- Science cafes and seminars
- Organize a group running of the 100 Billion Nanometer Dash
- Dedicated National Nano Day webpages
- NND-inspired webpages with your favorite nanotechnology resources
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#NationalNanoDay is on October 9th [2017]!
Tony Pallone’s Sept. 29, 2017 article for Electronics 360 about US National Nanotechnology Day provides some additional information (Note: Links have been removed),
Paying homage to the nanometer scale of 10-9 meters, National Nanotechnology Day — held on or around October 9, aka 10/9 — is intended to help raise awareness of nanotechnology and how it’s used in our daily lives, along with the challenges and opportunities it raises for the future.
The event will be marked by a series of podcasts produced by the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO); the launch of the Gen Nano “superheroes inspired by science” contest for high school students; and the 100 Billion Nanometer Dash.
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Pallone’s article includes an embedded video introduction to nanotechnology.
I see Pallone mentioned Gen Nano ‘superheroes’, here’s more about the latest iteration of the contest which started on Sept. 18, 2017 (from the gennano webpage on the US National Science Foundation website),
The National Science Foundation and the National Nanotechnology Initiative are sending up the signal and asking for your help!
We’re calling all middle and high school students to gear up and compete in this year’s Generation Nano: Superheroes Inspired by Science challenge!
Create a written entry and either a comic or a 90-second video that illustrates your science-powered superhero in action.
Winners will receive cash prizes and the opportunity to showcase their creation at the 2018 USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C.
Your mission is to enter the Gen Nano challenge by January 8! Start here to learn about the competition.
Timeline
September 18, 2017 Competition opens January 8, 2018 Entries due January 2018 First round of judging February 2018 Second round of judging April 6-8, 2018 Winners present their displays at 2018 USA Science & Engineering Festival.
For anyone curious about the 2017 winners, there’s this July 10, 2017 posting.