Education Programs

The Genetically Engineered Materials Science and Engineering Center (GEMSEC) at the University of Washington will host a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program from June 16th through August 23rd, 2008. Engineering and science students with broad interests across disciplines focusing on biomimetics, materials science, or nanotechnology are eligible to apply.

Participants in this ten-week program will be actively involved in hands-on scientific research with broad applications - e.g., bio-engineering, chemistry, electronics, materials science, optics, optoelectronics, physics, and the life sciences. Research projects will be designed and supervised by faculty members and interns will also work closely with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and technical staff on projects using the unique resources offered through GEMSEC. Participants will both write up and present their research at the end of the summer.

Participants will receive a $3,800 stipend, plus housing; travel expenses to and from the UW may be covered for non-local students. Interns will be responsible for their own meals.

Eligible Student Participants: Participants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions, and must be enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree; students who are transferring from one college or university to another may participate. Students who have received their bachelor’s degrees are not eligible.

BioNano 2007 - A Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Program

Sponsored jointly by GEMSEC and the UW’s Center for Nanotechnology (CNT), supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) funding, BioNano 2007 offers high school teachers an engaging, in-depth, week-long research experience in cutting edge, interdisciplinary science.

Working in small teams along side GEMSEC and CNT faculty, BioNano 2007 teacher participants will collaborate to develop inquiry-based learning classroom activities that will engage and excite high school students. In addition, they will:

* Learn about biomimetic nanoscale science and technology using current laboratory techniques, instrumentation, and approaches
* Explore a recently-developed high school classroom lesson in this field
* Discover career opportunities to share with students

The BioNano 2007 week-long experience will include the following components:

* Seminars, lectures, and laboratory tours from a range of bionanotechnology researchers
* Review of key components of inquiry-based teaching materials
* Readings in basic nanotechnology concepts, methods, and applications
* Collegial development of hands-on bionanotechnology learning modules that incorporate best educational practices

As well as taking their own team’s lesson back to their classrooms, participants will receive a notebook containing the lessons and materials developed by the other teams.

Each participant will receive a stipend upon completion of the BioNano 2007 RET. In addition, a supplies budget will be available to develop teaching modules. Clock hours also will be provided.

Attendance for all five days in July 2007 - which have yet to be determined - is required.

For further information and registration, please contact:
Dr. Ethan Allen, ethana@u.washington.edu or 206-616-9760