Penn State's National Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge Network (NACK Network) has demonstrated its knack for developing partnerships between research universities and community colleges to teach the core skills needed for a nanotechnology workforce. Now the program has received a $4.2 million National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue its work.
Since 2008, NACK has set up partnerships in seven states and Puerto Rico. More than 800 have graduated from the classes offered by the NACK hubs, there have been more than 20,000 web downloads of NACK educational materials and 957 educators have completed professional development workshops.
With the new grant, says Robert Ehrmann, NACK's managing director, comes an imperative to establish more such network hubs across the country. And, he adds, “It is critical for us to train [high school] educators because most do not know what nano is, even science educators.”
NACK grew out of a state-funded effort launched in 1998 that comprised 30 Pennsylvania schools; since then, 105 Pennsylvania companies have hired many of the 729 graduates. The program went national in 2008.
The market value of U.S. products incorporating nanotechnology will total $1 trillion by 2020, according to an NSF report, and nano's share of the gross domestic product will be 5%. In 2020, the nation will require two million people in the primary workforce engaged in nanotechnology production.
“Jobs in nanotechnology demand advanced skills and critical thinking,” said NACK director Stephen Fonash. ” NACK's objective is to create and sustain … resources and to develop pathways from high school to skilled manufacturing careers across the country.”
Source: Robert Ehrmann, NACK Network
Writer: Elise Vider