nanOntario

"Learning Nanotechnology from Ontario's Great Outdoors"

 

Overview

NanOntario is a youth outreach program facilitated by the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto. Supported by the Ontario Research Fund for Research Excellence (ORF-RE) and led by Principal Investigator, Professor Uwe Erb, the nanOntario program aims to educate senior secondary school science students about bio-inspired nanotechnology based on samples found in Ontario’s outdoors.

nanOntario aims to educate senior high school science students about bio-inspired nanotechnology based on samples found in Ontario's outdoors

In partnership with Hitachi High-Technologies Canada (HHTC), the key feature in the nanOntario program is a portable scanning electron microscope (SEM). The Hitachi Tabletop Microscope (TM-1000) allows for the investigation of biological and technological samples at the nano-scale. Student participants will have the opportunity to use this SEM under the guidance of program instructors.

The following are the five theme areas of the nanOntario program:

1. Nanostructured Leaves: Dry & Clean Surfaces
2. Bio-Designed Anti-Reflective Surfaces
3. Bio-Inspired Structural Colour
4. Strength
5. Spider Silk, Milkweed & Other Micro/Nanofibre Materials

Program Delivery

1. Senior science classes (Grade 11 & 12 U-level) are invited to the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto for a full or half-day field trip during the school year to participate in the nanOntario program. Prepared samples based on the theme year are demonstrated to students using the Hitachi TM-1000 SEM to enhance the current high school curriculum and learning experience. There is no charge for this program.
2. During the summer of each academic year, an enrichment studies (DEEP) course is developed and taught based on that year’s nanOntario program theme area (please see theme areas above). This week-long course designed for senior high school science students provides an extensive learning experience and technical knowledge within the program theme area that are based on principles in Materials Science & Engineering.

Program Contact

Sherry Esfahani, External Relations Officer
Department of Materials Science & Engineering
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, University of Toronto
Wallberg Building, 184 College Street, Suite 140E
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E4 Canada

E:  mse.external@utoronto.ca