Disseminate DCTC Multi-disciplinary Nano Program to Partners and affiliate member schools
The multi-disciplinary AAS Degree NanoScience Program created in 2004 at Dakota County Technical College has served as a model for multiple programs throughout the United States. Nano-Link partners have created additional courses and content that fit the needs of their specific geographical area and leverage specific institutional strengths. The combination of established and new curricula will provide a rich library for educators to use. This content may be used either as an infusion of nanoscale content into existing courses or as standalone entities.
Create Web based library for validated nanoscience curriculum
The educational content tab of this Nano-Link site houses the educational content created for educators. The content is arranged in a modular format and includes slides, explanatory material, activities, experiments, videos and other media to facilitate integration of the content and student learning.
Strengthen industry involvement throughout the region
Our industry partners are a critical element of Nano-Link. We have established a Regional Industry Advisory Board which focuses on promoting and improving education and training for the workforce of tomorrow. These partners provide input into the program content and provide jobs for our graduates.
Replicate/transfer portions of the Univ. of MN 4th semester
The University of Minnesota has partnered with DCTC since 2003 to provide a "Gold Capstone" experience for students in the fourth semester of the DCTC program. The University of Minnesota is a part of the NSF NNIN Program and has world class facilities for both Nanofabrication and Nano-Characterization of materials. In the fourth semester, students attend lecture and lab courses at the University of Minnesota. The university is working with partner institutions to disseminate this content through teacher short courses and workshops as well as creating web based learning modules that capture some of the "capstone" experience.
Train high school and Community College educators, integrate nano into curriculum
Applications of nanoscience and the ability to observe and manipulate individual molecules and atoms can fuel the imagination and interest of high school and older students. Nano-Link partners and other National educational Centers believe that high school and community college educators play a vital role in creating the next generation of engineers and scientists. Our partners and others offer training sessions for educators to help them learn about nanoscience and how to integrate it into existing courses.
Increase public awareness
Nano-Link supports the public distribution and dissemination of accurate information about nanotechnology. We do this through participation in science fairs and science museum outreach activities, through sponsoring Nano Days every March and through multiple presentations to Rotary Clubs, Lions and Legion meetings.
Getting the best educational content possible to the most people.
In a nutshell one could say that is the mission of Nano-Link. But underlying that mission is a passion for education, a desire to introduce EVERYONE to the wonders at the nanoscale and a strong obligation to meet the needs of students and the people that hire them.
Because of the impetus of the non-tangible aspects of Nano-Link we include in our goals enthusiastic outreach to children of all ages, civic organizations and constant communication with industry partners -- in as many ways as we possibly can.
Our partners each have unique strengths that they bring to the Nano-Link Center. Each strength works synergistically with the strengths of educational, industrial and government parners to fulfill not only the "obvious" goal of Nano-Link but also fulfill the less obvious goals as well.
