Close to 200 Houston-area students attended a series of NanoAcademy workshops on Feb. 3, 10 that were designed to bring innovative, cutting-edge research directly into their hands. Students actively engaged in planning, developing and engineering solutions.
Offered by the Rice Office of STEM Engagement, the lessons were prepared by teachers who participated in a six-week research experience for teachers in Rice laboratories during the summer.
This year’s cohort of teachers developed lessons focused on merging nanotechnology and sustainability. Third through fifth-grade students were immersed in You Are What You Eat! From Animal Food Webs to Gel Beads, in which they explored the connection between gel beads and human impacts on ecosystems.
Sixth through eighth-grade students engaged in Don’t Be Toxic: Crafting Solutions for Cleaner Environments, which empowered them to create life-changing devices from everyday materials to purify water and remove environmental toxins.
Lastly, ninth through 12th graders participated in Is It Phun Fun, where they were challenged to investigate natural phenomena like carbon dioxide and aluminum reactions with practical applications in preventing oxidation.
I learned how to make a filter out of things we have at home. I learned how plastic is made from edible substances, such as milk, and how we can create a more environmentally friendly way to make plastic.
Additionally, through UV Bouncin lessons, students gained the knowledge to predict UV radiation exposure and design adequate protection strategies. Based on the teachers’ research experiences, students get to explore innovative engineering solutions for cleaner environments.
Students reflected on their learning experience and offered insights into what they gained from each lesson as they tackled real-world challenges. One student exclaimed, “I learned how to make a filter out of things we have at home. I learned how plastic is made from edible substances, such as milk, and how we can create a more environmentally friendly way to make plastic.”
One middle school student said, “I loved learning about how real-life machines are able to filter water.” Another student said, “I learned that there is a plastic lining in metal cans that can cause and contribute to pollution.”
The NanoAcademy workshops helped students develop the skills and mindset to tackle environmental challenges while fostering scientific curiosity and creativity. Student programs offered by the Rice Office of STEM Engagement provide access to quality STEM education in an engaging environment and inspire students to pursue future careers in STEM and consider STEM as a pathway in their studies.
To learn more about K–12 student and teacher programs offered by the Rice Office of STEM Engagement, visit our website at https://rstem.rice.edu.
Faiza Zafar
Assistant Director for Equitable Research, Evaluation and Grant Development
Mariana Quinn
Assistant Director for Scince Education
Isaias Cerda
Associate Director Science for Education and English Language Learners
Carolyn Nichol
Director Rice Office of STEM Engagement