How Did the Program Begin?

During the spring of 2003, I applied and was accepted into a summer program at Drexel University called Research Experiences for Teachers (RET).  The program, funded by the National Science Foundation, was designed to introduce engineering research and nanotechnology to high school teachers.  Teachers gain opportunities to work in research labs, to develop curricula and experiments to bring back to their classrooms, the grant writing process and to attend field trips. 

The experience forever changed my life!  I spent three summers (2003-2005) in the RET program in the Fibrous Materials Research Laboratory working with Dr. Frank Ko and his research students.  My primary focus was with the development of polymer nanofibers (both conductive and nonconductive) utilizing the electrospinning process.  I learned so much…What an amazing group of individuals!

During my first summer in the RET program (2003), I was introduced to nanotechnology and the electrospinning process.  I immediately fell in love with the research process, the interaction with people who are masters in their field, and Drexel University.  It was from then on that I wished I could lead dual lives; one life teaching and one life in research!  From this desire, I quickly began to devise a way to introduce the research experience and in particular, nanotechnology to my students.  I knew that the largest obstacles to overcome were:

1. Designing the curriculum (There really isn’t a high school nanotechnology curriculum; especially one that involves research and electrospinning!)

2. Finding the resources and time to develop the lessons and activities.

3. Acquiring the necessary funding to begin a nanotechnology research course.

In the summer of 2004, I was accepted for a second summer at Drexel and was accepted into the RET-Nano program!  It was during this experience that I obtained a taste of actual research.  I worked on the research and development of an electroactive polymer actuator.  I researched conductive polymers, electrospun conductive nanofibers and experimented with various thin film materials; however, after many trials and failures, the five weeks concluded and there was no time left to continue the research.  By this point, I was determined to begin a research course with my students.  On my train rides to and from Drexel each day, I utilized the time to begin outlining what a nanotechnology research curriculum for the students in our Engineering Academy would look like.  I decided that the program would be focused upon introducing students to nanotechnology, experimental design, electrospinning, a field trip to Drexel University to utilize their Scanning Electron Microscope to characterize their experiments and a final presentation at the end of the school year.

In the summer of 2005, I applied again to the Drexel RET-Nano program and was offered a third opportunity as an independent study student!  This time, I utilized the research time to develop the curriculum and student activities.  I gave the program a name; The Future is N.E.A.R. (Nanotechnology Education And Research).  This summer proved to be the integral component of my three year experience at Drexel for the N.E.A.R. program.  All that was left was to obtain the funding necessary to design and implement the program.  I began researching grant funding opportunities.  I wrote for five grants and won three for a total of $11,500 from Toshiba, Dominion and ING.  This funding was utilized to acquire all of the necessary equipment and materials to begin the program!  During the 2005-06 school year, I submitted and won another grant from the Toyota Tapestry / National Science Teacher Association grant for another $10,000.   The program was ready to begin!!!