The University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science, Albany city school district partner to launch Nanoscale Science Summer Institute

Twenty-five middle-school students from the Capital Region will spend their summer vacation immersed in nanotechnology as they attend the first-ever 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 builds on the success of the groundbreaking "NanoHigh" program developed jointly by CSDA and CNSE.

Students from the Bethlehem Central School District, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central Schools, Mohonasen Central School District and Shenendehowa Central School District will join CSDA students in the six-week program, which begins on Monday, July 7 and is funded through the New York State Education Department's Excelsior Scholars Program for Grade Seven Mathematics and Science Students.

Each week, students will attend two days of introductory nanoscience courses taught at Albany High School, and then bring those classroom lessons to life with hands-on, interactive laboratory activities conducted at CNSE's world-class Albany NanoTech Complex. The curriculum is modeled on the NanoHigh program, a joint effort between CSDA and CNSE to enhance students' opportunities to take advantage of new nanotechnology-related careers being created in the Capital Region, New York State and around the globe, which this year graduated its first 20 students.

The Nanoscale Science Summer Institute will provide students with a foundational understanding of the fundamental principles and applications of nanoscale science and engineering, including an up-close look at several cutting-edge areas of nanotechnology, such as nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, nanobioscience and solar-powered devices.

"We are pleased to be able to build on our great partnership with the UAlbany NanoCollege to expand the opportunities available to our students in nanoscience, and to provide 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 pleased to host eligible students from across the Capital Region who will receive a unique and unparalleled look at the exciting world of nanotechnology through the inaugural Excelsior Scholars Nanoscale Science Summer Institute. Through the strategic partnership between CNSE and the City School District of Albany, school districts from across the region will have the opportunity to share in this pioneering educational paradigm that gives students a firsthand look at nanoscale science and engineering, the field that will shape their careers in the future."

Students participating in the Excelsior Scholars Nanoscale Science Summer Institute have been selected by their home school districts based upon distinguished work in mathematics and science. Each student will receive a certificate at the completion of the program identifying them as a New York State Excelsior Scholar.