Tag Archives: Let’s Talk Nanoscience

Alberta’s Let’s Talk Nanoscience followup

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Here’s a followup to the Feb.25, 2011 Let’s Talk Nanoscience event (mentioned in my Jan. 12, 2011 posting), from the Ryan Heise article on the University of Alberta Engineering Dept.’s webpage,

About 170 high school students from around Edmonton learned about nanotechnology and leading-edge research during the inaugural Let’s Talk NanoScience event at the U of A.

The event was put on by the Let’s Talk Science U of A chapter and the U of A Nanotechnology Group [Let’s Talk Science website], with support from the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Science, and the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT).

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This year, the group decided to focus on individual institution’s strong points. For the U of A, that means being a leading centre for nanotechnology research.

Electrical and computer engineering PhD student Steven Jim [emphasis mine] from the Nanotechnology Group says raising awareness is especially important when funding is coming from the public.

“As scientists and researchers, we’re basically funded by the government—by taxpayers. So helping the public know what we’re doing is important,” Jim said.  [emphasis mine] “It’s something that’s often forgotten when you’re spending your life in a lab.”

The day was kicked off with two lectures. The first from Nils Petersen, director general of NINT [National Institute of Nanotechnology], explored why nanotechnology will be increasingly important. Petersen made three main points: it’s going to be everywhere, it’s going to be transformative within the next 50 years, and it’s going to be here forever. [emphasis mine] He encouraged the students to be conscious of how nanotechnology might affect them.

The second lecture by Jillian Buriak, a senior research officer with NINT, gave an overview of just what nanotechnology is. She engaged the students by hammering home just how small-scale nanotechnology is, as well as describing some of the ground breaking processes that are changing how people look at science and engineering.

After that, the students broke into groups for lab tours and smaller sessions with graduate students where they produced gold nano-particles.

Mr. Jim, I quite agree with you. As for Nils Petersen, I found that bit about nanotechnology “… being here forever” an odd statement and would have liked to have heard it in context. As for the other points, I understand that nanotechnology-enabled products are going to be everywhere (those products are already quite pervasive).  I also understand its “transformative” aspects in the same way I understand electricity’s transformative aspects. But nanotechnology will be here forever? I am intrigued.

Talking nanoscience in Alberta

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I was wondering what had happened to nanoAlberta (now part of Alberta Innovates Technology Futures) as there hasn’t been any news from the orgnaization in several months. Radio silence broke yesterday, Jan. 11, 2011*, with the announcement of a Let’s Talk Nanoscience event for grade 11 and 12 students at the University of Alberta,

Let’s Talk NanoScience is a one-day symposium for Grade 11 and 12 students hosted by Let’s Talk Science volunteers from the University of Alberta in partnership with the National Institute for Nanotechnology – Canada’s flagship nanotechnology institute. The goal of this symposium is to introduce senior level high school students to graduate students and researchers, as well as to the cutting-edge advancements in science and technology that are happening in their own backyard.

When: Friday, February 25, 2011, 9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Where: Tory Lecture Theatres & Tory Building, University of Alberta

Cost: This event is provided free of charge, courtesy of Let’s Talk Science, the National Institute for Nanotechnology and the Faculty of Science, University of Alberta

There are more details including an agenda at the Let’s Talk Nanoscience webpage. At first I thought this was a science outreach project and a soft sell for nanotechnology studies but this is a little less soft sell and more of a straightforward recruiting event aimed at eager high school students.

One of the host organizations, Let’s Talk Science, does produce a number of what I would call science outreach events (from their About page),

Let’s Talk Science is an award-winning, national, charitable organization. We deliver science learning programs and services that turn children and youth on to science, keep them engaged in learning and develop their potential to become 21st century citizens, innovators and stewards.

Founded in 1993 by Bonnie Schmidt, PhD, Let’s Talk Science has excited, inspired and engaged more than 2 million children, youth, educators and volunteers in science, engineering and technology.

Our approach to science education engages children and youth — from the very early years through high school — with fun, exciting hands-on/minds-on activities that improve their understanding of physical and life science, mathematics and technology. This approach builds critical life skills, including problem-solving, communication and teamwork, and accounts for the fact that each individual learns in their own unique way.

Let’s Talk Science stretches from coast-to-coast, reaching children, youth and educators in every province and territory through our wide range of science education programs and services.

*December 3, 2019: ‘ Jan. 11, 2010’ changed to ‘ Jan. 11, 2011’.