This job is not for a nanotechnology communicator but I did receive notice of it in my NISENet (Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network) July 2011 newsletter and I suppose one could include some nanoscience activities if one were inclined, so here it is,

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and affiliated Nature Research Center (NRC) is looking for a new Science Communication Director. The director will be based in Raleigh and communicate science education efforts at the NRC, teach at North Carolina State University, conduct research on museum education/outreach activities, and host interns, citizen scientists, and colleagues on both campuses. For more information about the position, please click here.

Getting back to nanoscience and nanotechnology, the NISE Network has a new program on their website, Find a Scientist; how to find a nano scientist (from the webpage),

Many scientists are willing (and eager) to collaborate locally on educational projects or serve voluntarily as advisors and content experts. To search the NISE Network member directory for a scientist near you:

• Step 1. Go to Advanced Search
• Step 2. Choose Professional Category: “Scientist”

• Step 3. Narrow your choices further by choosing a Region or a State

• Step 4. Click Submit

It looks like a pretty simple process. The webpage also offers information for scientists who want to sign up for the program.

Another new item in the catalog features a TEDx Madtown (independently organized TED event) presentation by Troy Dassler, an elementary school teacher who introduced nanoscience to his students. Here’s the video (approx. 12 mins),

For anyone who’s quite familiar with nanotechnology, you will find the presentation a little slowgoing at the beginning while Dassler’s offering a basic introduction for his audience but if takes off once he starts talking about his classroom work and how the kids investigated a new scientific question. You can find other resources for Nanoscience in Elementary Schools here.

At last,

Nano Haiku

Acid-binding antibodies
And gold nanoshells
Detect latent fingermarks

by Vrylena Olney of the Museum of Science, Boston referring to the news article Nanotechnology is Key to Recovering Usable Fingerprints from Old Evidence

On that note, Happy Monday!