June 07, 2012

15 students graduate from innovative 'NanoHigh' Program presented by UAlbany NanoCollege and City School District of Albany

By: Steve Janack, CNSE Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Source: College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering

Albany, NY – Fifteen Albany High School students received certificates today as the newest graduates of the groundbreaking “NanoHigh” program, a partnership between the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany and the City School District of Albany (CSDA) that is believed to be the first initiative of its kind at a public high school in the country.

Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy said, “Congratulations to the 2012 graduates of the NanoHigh program. The innovative NanoHigh program is preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers in our state’s rapidly growing nanotechnology industry. This partnership between the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the City School District of Albany is the first of its kind in the country, giving New York students a critical head start in today’s competitive high-tech society. These graduates have bright futures ahead of them, and I wish them the best of luck.”

“Catalyzed by the vision and leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo, and through programs like NanoHigh, New York is building a world-class workforce that is critical for success in the 21st century innovation economy,” said Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, CNSE Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are delighted to work closely with the City School District of Albany through a partnership that has given 90 high-school students a unique firsthand look at their future educational and career paths. Just as importantly, we are heartened by the growing interest in this pioneering initiative.”

“Albany High School students are so fortunate to be able to take advantage of this opportunity to learn first-hand about this cutting-edge science and technology that is transforming the way we live and work,” said City School District of Albany Superintendent Raymond Colucciello, Ed.D. “Our collaboration with the NanoCollege and its visionary leader, Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, is providing Albany High students with an invaluable opportunity to explore the ever-growing world of nanotechnology. Our graduates of this program are being well-prepared to take their places in the high-tech workforce that is transforming not just our region, but our world.”

This marks the five-year anniversary of the NanoHigh program, which was designed by CNSE and CSDA to enhance students’ opportunities to take advantage of a growing number of nanotechnology-related educational and career opportunities in the Capital Region and across New York State. It is also intended to encourage underrepresented social groups to pursue opportunities in science and engineering, with more than half of this year’s class consisting of underserved populations.

Since the program’s launch in the 2007-08 academic year, 90 Albany High School students have graduated from NanoHigh. Meanwhile, interest in the program is at an all-time high, with 45 students already registered for next year’s program, filling both introductory and advanced classes. That growth also represents an increase in the number of female students, a group that is typically underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The NanoHigh program connects students with leading faculty and scientists at CNSE’s unparalleled Albany NanoTech Complex, where they take part in hands-on experiments that will help prepare them for a potential future in nanotechnology. This includes exploring integrated circuit technologies through nanoscale patterning and fabrication; nanobiomedical applications, such as innovations in nanomedicine and forensic DNA fingerprinting; clean energy technologies, such as solar cells and ultracapacitors for energy storage; and nanoeconomics. The students also completed classroom work at Albany High School, further exploring the promise of nanotechnology and its potential to advance society.

For more information about the NanoHigh program, please visit http://cnse.albany.edu/NanoforKids/NanoHighProgram.aspx.

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About CNSE. The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to education, research, development and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience and nanoeconomics. With more than $14 billion in high-tech investments, CNSE represents the world’s most advanced university-driven research enterprise, offering students a one-of-a-kind academic experience and providing over 300 corporate partners with access to an unmatched ecosystem for leading-edge R&D and commercialization of nanoelectronics and nanotechnology innovations. CNSE’s footprint spans upstate New York, including its Albany NanoTech Complex, an 800,000-square-foot megaplex with the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 85,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,600 scientists, researchers, engineers, students and faculty work here, from companies including IBM, Intel, GlobalFoundries, SEMATECH, Samsung, TSMC, Toshiba, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML and Novellus Systems. An expansion now underway, part of which will house the world’s first Global 450mm Consortium, will add nearly 500,000 square feet of next-generation infrastructure, an additional 50,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms, and more than 1,000 scientists, researchers and engineers from CNSE and global corporations. In addition, CNSE’s Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon provides a prototyping and demonstration line for next-generation CIGS thin-film solar cells. CNSE’s Smart Systems Technology and Commercialization Center of Excellence (STC) in Rochester offers state-of-the-art capabilities for MEMS fabrication and packaging. CNSE also co-founded and manages operations at the Computer Chip Commercialization Center at SUNYIT in Utica and is a co-founder of the Nanotechnology Innovation and Commercialization Excelerator in Syracuse. For information, visit www.cnse.albany.edu.

The mission of the City School District of Albany is to educate and nurture all students to be responsible citizens, critical thinkers and lifelong learners to successfully compete in the global community by providing an academically rigorous and safe environment in partnership with parents, students and the community. The district serves nearly 8,700 students in 15 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes three magnet schools and other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.

Contact: Steve Janack, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, CNSE
(518) 956-7322 | sjanack@albany.edu

Ron Lesko, Director of Communications, City School District of Albany
(518) 475-6065 | rlesko@albany.k12.ny.us