second annual Generation Nano: Small Science

I usually like to provide a couple sources for news releases just in case one disappears from the internet. Unfortunately, that’s not possible this time so here goes (from a June 6, 2017 US National Science Foundation news release),

Today [June 6, 2017], the National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), named the first- and second-place winners, as well as the People’s Choice winner, for the second annual Generation Nano competition.

Generation Nano challenges high school students to imagine novel superheroes who use the power of nanotechnology — technology on the scale of a nanometer, or 1 billionth of a meter — to solve crimes or tackle a societal challenge. Students then tell their hero’s story in a comic and video. Students learn about the science behind nanotechnology before applying nanotechnology-enabled tools and concepts to futuristic characters, said Mihail C. Roco, NSF senior advisor for science and engineering and a key architect of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI).

“This competition is like a real-life exercise in modern society, where creativity and rigor combine to engineer novel products, smart infrastructure, life-saving medical treatments and more,” Roco said. “Students use their imaginations to join emerging uses of nanotechnology with other fields, bringing new viewpoints and collective interest to scientific progress. The younger generation needs such skills, as they will live and work in a more advanced society than their teachers, and we wish success to all of them as they help create the future of nanotechnology.”

The winners

First Place
Hannah Kim and Daniel Kim from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia for “Dilatant: Being bulletproof has never taken such a small effort.”

Second Place
Symone Crowder from Northside High School in Georgia for “Mia Kei: Versatility is my specialty.”

People’s Choice
Ramona Park from Santa Fe High School in New Mexico for “Agent X: ‘X’ marks the spot.”

“I was so impressed by the imaginative ways that students used nanotechnology to ease human suffering, cure disease, fight criminals and clean up the environment in this year’s Generation Nano contest,” said Lisa Friedersdorf, director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. “The winning comics showcase the importance of creatively applying science to solve problems. I am sure these comics and videos will excite other students and inspire them to think about how they can use nanotechnology to improve the world.”

Students’ superhero creations had to address one of four missions using their nanotechnology powers:

Justice: Defending the defenseless against criminals, bullies, supervillains and others who wish to do harm.

Relief: Providing aid to victims of disasters, famine, drought and other situations where people are in need.

Health: Striving to heal the sick and injured.

Environment: Focusing on clean energy, pollution control and a sustainable future.

Generation Nano participants were required to submit a short, written entry about their superheroes, a two- to three-page comic and a 90-second video. A panel of judges with expertise in either nanotechnology or comics evaluated each entry and selected semifinalists and finalists. The public selected the People’s Choice winner from the list of finalists.

The judges

Paul Weiss, presidential chair and distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry and of materials science and engineering at University of California, Los Angeles.

Kevin Walsh, associate dean of research for the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering.

Annie Wu, an American illustrator best known for her work in “Black Canary” for DC Comics and “Hawkeye” for Marvel.

Marjorie Liu, attorney and New York Times best-selling author of 17 novels, who recently wrote the comic book “Monstress.”

The winners will be at the NSF booth at Awesome Con in Washington, D.C. June 16-18 [2017], and will also visit Capitol Hill. In addition, each winner is invited to tour the nearest NNI center.

Visit the Generation Nano website for competition details, such as eligibility criteria, entry guidelines, timeline, prizes, and videos and comics from the winners and finalists.

Here are sample images from the three winning entries,

Hannah Kim and Daniel Kim from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia took first place in the Generation Nano competition for “Dilatant.” Credit: Hannah Kim and Daniel Kim from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Symone Crowder from Northside High School in Georgia won second place for “Mia Kei.” Credit: Symone Crowder from Northside High School

Ramona Park from Santa Fe High School in New Mexico was selected by the public as the People’s Choice winner for “Agent X.” Credit: Ramona Park from Santa Fe High School

Congratulations to the winners and all of the entrants!

Should you be curious about previous Generation Nano competitions there are some details in my Oct. 7, 2016 posting.

It seems as if the first competition just ended as per my April 21, 2016 posting about the results. Ah well, out with the old and in with the ‘news’, according to an Oct. 6, 2016 news item on Nanowerk (Note: A link has been removed),

WHIZ! POW! BAM! BOOM! Today [Oct. 5, 2016], the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) announce the opening of the second annual Generation Nano: Small Science, Superheroes! competition. The contest invites U.S. high school and home-schooled students to create a superhero that uses nanotechnology — science and technology on the scale of a nanometer, or one billionth of a meter — to solve crimes and meet today’s challenges.

By challenging students to think big (or small, in this case) to create superheroes with nanotechnology-inspired gear or powers, NSF and NNI aim to promote an early interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“An increasing number of students are drawn to the fascinating field of nanotechnology, which allows us to do things not possible before in computing, mobile communication, medicine and the environment,” said NSF Senior Advisor for Science and Engineering Mihail Roco. “The younger generation will carry on future progress in this exciting field. The Generation Nano competition gives students an opportunity to creatively combine this scientific interest with their artistic side.”

An Oct. 5, 2016 NSF news release, which originated the news item, describes the first competition and provides information for students wanting to enter this second one,

Last year’s first-ever Generation Nano competition inspired entries from more than 115 students across the U.S. The winning superhero creations included Nanoman, who battled a malignant crab-monster named Cancer; Radio Blitz, who helped dispose of local waste; and Nine, a rising superhero who used his nanosuit to defeat a pair of kidnappers.

Actor Wil Wheaton hosted the awards ceremony at the 2016 USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., where legendary comic book creator Stan Lee made a surprise virtual appearance to congratulate the finalists.

“The number and quality of the submissions to the Generation Nano contest last year were fantastic,” said Lisa Friedersdorf, deputy director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, which provides public outreach for NNI. “I’m very excited by the four key societal missions identified for this year’s contest as nanotechnology can play a critical role in addressing each of these needs. I can’t wait to see the creative and imaginative ways the student teams take on this challenge!”

This year, participants’ superhero creations must tackle one of the following societal issues:

Justice — Using nanotechnology to fight criminals, bullies, supervillains and other wrongdoers.

Relief — Using nanotechnology to aid victims of famine, drought and other disasters.

Health — Using nanotechnology to heal the sick and injured.

Environment — Using nanotechnology to generate clean energy, control pollution and create a sustainable future.

NSF will promote the opening of the competition this week at New York Comic Con, the East Coast’s largest popular culture convention. A panel will bring together NSF-funded scientists and storytellers to talk about their imagined worlds.

Student contestants are encouraged to submit their superhero creations to the Generation Nano competition website for an opportunity to compete for prizes. A panel will review the submissions and select 15 semifinalists, and then a first and second place winner. Submissions from all semifinalists will also be posted to the Generation Nano website to allow the public to vote for their favorite superhero, which will receive a People’s Choice award.

Additional competition details

U.S. high school and home-schooled students should submit a written entry explaining how their superhero uses nanotechnology to do good, along with a two-to-three-page comic and 90-second video.

Competition opens Oct. 5, 2016, and submissions are due by midnight, Jan. 31, 2017 EST.

Three rounds of judging will take place, with winners announced in the spring.

Prizes: $1,500 for first place; $1,000 for second place; and $750 for the People’s Choice award.

Visit the Generation Nano competition website for full eligibility criteria, entry guidelines, timeline and prize information. For additional questions about the contest, contact the Generation Nano team at gennano@nsf.gov.

As noted in the news release, the competition opened Oct. 5, 2016 and entries can be submitted until Jan. 31, 2017 and you need to submit a written piece, a 2-3 page comic, and a short video.

Here’s an image from the Generation Nano website,

Presumably, this is from one of the entries for the first competion. You can find more images and information about the current competition here. Good luck (and remember only US-based high school and home-schooled students can submit.)

FrogHeart

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2017 Generation Nano winners announced

Second annual Generation Nano: Small Science, Superheroes! competition