2/16/2012 3:10:30 PM

CNSE partners with Academy of the Holy Names for “Co-Teaching Day” to spark young women’s interest in nanotechnology

It was more than an ordinary school day for students at Academy of the Holy Names (AHN) in Albany on Wednesday, February 15.

Students at the all-girls school were given their first taste of the exciting world of nanotechnology when faculty from the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) participated in a first-of-its-kind “Co-Teaching Day” at AHN. CNSE faculty and AHN Upper School teachers collaborated on lessons in economics, biology, chemistry and other disciplines to bring the emerging science of nanotechnology into the academy for the first time.

As partners in fostering girls’ interest in nanotechnology, AHN and CNSE designed the event to introduce girls to the exciting science of nanotechnology and its many career opportunities, including a growing number in the Capital Region and across New York State.

While women make up a little more than half of all undergraduates in America, they account for only about 20 percent of engineering undergraduates, according to 2003 data from the Society of Women in Engineering. The event was intended to ignite an interest in technology-related careers just as students are beginning to develop both academic and career plans. Both AHN and CNSE are committed to making sure that girls have every opportunity to become involved in technology and are empowered to pursue an education and career in science and technology.

Participating CNSE faculty members included: Nathaniel Cady, Assistant Professor of Nanobioscience; Magnus Bergkvist, Assistant Professor of Nanobioscience; Laura Schultz, Assistant Professor of Nanoeconomics; Michael Fancher, Associate Professor of Nanoeconomics; Kathleen Dunn, Associate Professor of Nanoscience and Thomas Kiehl, Postdoctoral Researcher in Nanobioscience.

View more photos from Wednesday's "Co-Teaching Day" by clicking here.