Introducing a Nanotechnology Curriculum and Considerations For
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VOLUME 28, NUMBER 1 The Journal of January 2012 Technology, Management, and through Applied Engineering March 2012 Abstract/Article 2 Introducing a Nanotechnology References 9 Curriculum and Considerations for Bridging Academic/Industry Relationships: An Overview and the New Challenge for ATMAE Keyword search: HIgher Education, Manufacturing, Materials & Authors: Processes, Nanotechnology, Research Dr. Dominick E. Fazarro, Dr. Deb Newberry, Dr. Walt Trybula, and PEER-REFEREED ARTICLE n PEDAGOGICAL RESEARCH AND ISSUES Mr. Jim Hyder formerly known as the “Journal of Industrial Technology” The Journal of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering© is an official publication of the Association of Technology, Managment, and Applied Engineering, Copyright 2012 ATMAE 1390 Eisenhower Place Ann Arbor, MI 48108 www.atmae.org VOLUME 28, NUMBER 1 The Journal of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering JANUARY 2012 – MARCH 2012 Dr. Dominick E. Fazarro is the Co- ordinator of the Introducing a Nanotechnology Nanotechnology focus group for AT- MAE and IEEE Curriculum and Considerations Senior Member in the Nanotechnol- ogy Council. He for Bridging Academic/Industry is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Resource Development and Technology at the Relationships: An Overview and the University of Texas at Tyler. He is currently researching nanotechnology education, nanotechnology workforce development, and NANO-SAFETY. These three research New Challenge for ATMAE areas are intertwined to thrust the effort By Dr. Dominick E. Fazarro, Dr. Deb Newberry, Dr. Walt Trybula, and Mr. Jim Hyder of developing nanotechnology programs in post-secondary schools to begin the surge in creating the 21st century workforce. He formed collaborations with several institu- ABSTRACT knowledge at the nanoscale will affect every market tions and organizations: Rice University, This paper discusses an envisioned nanotechnol- segment within the next decade. Academia and Texas State University, Nano-Link, Univer- ogy curriculum in the field of industrial technol- the professional organizations that serve them, sity of New Mexico, The Lippy Group and st such as the ATMAE, must be prepared to address NIOSH. He partnered with Rice University ogy. To create a dynamic industrial technology 21 and Texas State University to submit an century workforce, a strong collaboration between this challenge of nanotechnology education in OSHA-Susan Harwood Grant which was academia and industry is required. Furthermore, proactive and anticipatory ways. The National Sci- funded $236,000 in September 2010 to building this new workforce requires proactive and ence Foundation (2003) defines Nanotechnology facilitate online training in nanotechnol- out-of-the-box thinking to implement nanotech- as “the ability to manipulate individual atoms and ogy safety. This grant is the first federally molecules, making it possible to build machines funded OSHA-Susan Harwood Grant in the nology-based programs in anticipation of industry country. Prior to his educational career, needs. As nanotechnology becomes more persua- on the scale of human cells or create materials and Dr. Fazarro served eight years in the U.S. sive, industry’s demands for high technology, i.e. structures from the bottom up with novel proper- Army as a logistics manager and Nuclear, nanotechnology, management skills will originate ties. Students who will engage in this new technol- Chemical, and Biological (NBC) equipment ogy not only need to comprehend new technical specialist. He also worked at Newport from applied-technology programs. The Associa- News Shipping Building and Drydock as a tion of Technology, Management, and Applied principles but must also recognize the implications Composite Designer for the Seawolf class Engineering (ATMAE) must be in position to assist and impact of nanotechnology. nuclear submarine. Contact Dr. Fazarrro at in supplying the nano-white collar workforce. [email protected] Educational Challenge and Influence For any emerging technology being taught, the initial educational focus is to ensure that students Ms. Deb Newberry INTRODUCTION is the Director and By 2015, there will approximately be two million are cognizant and conversational with the funda- Principle Investiga- workers globally in nanotechnology (Roco, 2003). mentals of the technology. Then, as a technology tor for Nano-Link Introducing nanotechnology or any emerging matures and moves into mainstream manufactur- – a Regional Center ing applications, students will need to understand for Nanotechnol- technology into an educational environment can ogy Education, present a challenge both in creating an understand- the properties of manufactured materials. In ad- funded by the ing of the topic and conveying the subject’s career dition to content preparation and the beginning of National Science potential. According to Lin and Allhoff (2007), “… mainstream education, tools and equipment must Foundation at Dakota County Techni- most people are first introduced to nanotechnology be made available that can be used to facilitate the cal College in Rosemount, Minnesota, understanding and manipulation of any new mate- where she created a 2-year Nanoscience through fictional works that posit scenarios” (p.3). Technologist Program. The AAS degree Typically, new technologies start as a few com- rials or properties (Saxton, 2007). program contains 72 credits of which 43 ments in the technical publications and evolve into By developing educational programs at the early credits and focused on nanotechnology the widespread media as wild projections on how specific courses. Ms. Newberry created stages in the evolution of the technology, students and has taught 8 different nanotechnology these developments can either create a wonderful will be better prepared to move into advanced specific courses within this program. Prior future for everyone or destroy the planet. The truth careers as the technology advances. A solid foun- to her educational career she applied her is usually somewhere in between. During the early dation of the “basics” of a new technology allows MS in nuclear physics, with focus areas awareness stage, students are most eager to absorb students to adapt and contribute with minimum in chemical engineering and mechanical engineering, in the corporate world by any and all information. With the rapid pace of additional training by the employer. This emphasis performing radiation effects research technology evolution, it is critical that educational on learning the fundamentals provides students on satellite systems. She also served as institutions serve as the trusted resource for both with an advantage of being more employable with- Executive Director of Space Systems for students and industry and serve as the pioneer for in the emerging technology area in multiple market General Dynamics. Contact Ms. Newberry training the future workforce. at [email protected]. segments. For nanotechnology, understanding the The above mention of “science fiction”, with some basics at the nanoscale can enable career opportu- truth and some rumors, and the need for skilled nities in electronics, biotechnology, materials and and educated employees are both especially true coatings as well as the food industry depending on for nanotechnology. Science and application of the focus of the educational program. The Journal of Technology, 2 Management, and INTRODUCING A NANOTECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR BRIDGING ACADEMIC/INDUSTRY Applied Engineering RELATIONSHIPS: AN OVERVIEW AND THE NEW CHALLENGE FOR ATMAE VOLUME 28, NUMBER 1 The Journal of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering JANUARY 2012 – MARCH 2012 Dr. Walt Trybula is Industry Influence (ASEE) and the National Society of Black Engineers an IEEE Fellow & (NSBE) have Fortune 500 partnerships throughout SPIE Fellow and During the initial stages of any emerging technol- Director of the Try- ogy curriculum, academia must interface with their the United States. The Association of Technology, bula Foundation. customer – Industry. Historically, small businesses Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) He is also the can be attributed as the primary source for new has an external council exclusively for the organi- Program Faculty- zation, the National Industrial Advisory Council Ingram School of job creation (SBA.gov, 2011) but for emerging Engineering at the technologies, large, well-established companies (NIAC). These professional organizations often Texas State University-San Marcos and on will also look for skilled new employees or require assist in building bridges with educational institu- special assignment to the Associate VP of an upgrade in the training of current employees. tions at multiple levels and through formal and Research at the University of Texas-Austin. informal channels. He has focused his activities on evaluat- There is no doubt that having strong connections ing and applying technology trends and between educational institutions where education applications in emerging key industries occurs and the needs of local industry – both small Industry with an emphasis on their impact on and large companies - will contribute to the eco- One of the most beneficial partnerships required economic development and job creation. nomic growth of the region. The question is then, for the successful implementation of nanoscale He is active in disseminating information content into any educational curriculum, is the on the importance of