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Events & News

Upcoming Events

Extension of Time to Apply the 2021 Summer Research Program for Undergraduates
The deadlines for applicants to apply the 2021 Summer Research Program are extended to Jun 15, 2021.

2021 Summer Research Program for Undergraduates
What: 3-week accelerated nanotechnology cleanroom training for undergraduate students
When: Jul 6 – 23, 2021 
Where: Fully interactive format using teleconferencing
   * Live-streamed lectures and hands-on experiments from Nanofabrication Cleanroom at Norfolk State University (NSU), Norfolk, VA and from Pennsylvania State University (PSU), University Park, PA
Support: $2,000 stipend (Primary Cohort)
Learn more


NEWS

Virtual Field Trip for Middle School Students

On March 30th 2021, Norfolk State University (NSU) partnered with Micron Technology to host the virtual field trip for middle school students at Southside STEM Academy (Norfolk, VA). The purpose of this type of event is to connect middle school students with STEM role models in an educational, fun & interactive experience. Two undergraduate students from NSU (Noelle Pierce and Karissa Carter) partnered with Micron’s STEM Outreach Manager to guide the middle school students through the Engineering Design Process to build a Wiggle-Bot. After welcoming the students and introductions, Micron provided the overview of the Engineering Design Process and then the students split into three breakout rooms, with Micron and the two NSU students each teaching one of the rooms of the students. The activity proved to be challenging and fun, as the students shared during the reflection time at the end of the session. NSU looks forward to joining Micron in future STEM outreach programs.

Summer Research for Undergraduates with Accelerated Nanotechnology Training

The SCENE features summer research and mentoring programs to increase students’ knowledge and skills, and to motivate their interest in pursuing nanoscience and engineering. The seven-week experience will feature extensive training in cleanroom operation, followed by a short-term applied activity or project with a paired faculty or partner institute researcher.  Student interns complete the full training regimen in the NSU Micro and Nano-technology Center (MiNaC), a 6,000 square foot clean-room facility that enables the fabrication of nano-scale optical and electronic devices. The partner research institutes include NASA Langley Research Center (NASA-LaRC), Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory (JLab), Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), etc.

More information can be found at Cleanroom Training Program 

Application deadline: April 15, 2021
Program term: July 6 – 23, 2021


NASA Office of STEM Engagement released the NASA Fellowship Activity 2020

Call for Proposals -- NASA Fellowship Activity 2020

NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSE) opened a call for graduate research proposals on December 23, 2019. The NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH20ZHA001N: NASA Fellowship Activity 2020 is seeking student-authored and independently conceived graduate research proposals responding to a NASA Research Opportunity listed in the solicitation. The 2020 NASA Fellowship Activity is designed to support OSE objectives and provide academic institutions the ability to enhance graduate-level learning and development. The program details and requirements are outlined in the solicitation document.

To be eligible to submit a proposal, candidates must be U.S. citizens or a national who hold a bachelor's degree in a STEM field earned before Aug. 31, 2020. Candidates must be enrolled in a master's or doctoral degree program no later than Sept. 1, 2020, and intend to pursue a research-based Masters or Ph.D. program in a NASA-relevant field.

Proposals are due February 21, 2020.
For full program details, visit: 2020 NASA Fellowship Activity


Visit Brookhaven National Laboratory

On November 12, 2019 the meeting between Norfolk State University (NSU) and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) discussed various programs supporting minority students and the opportunity to take students for internships at BNL. In this meeting, Dr. Hargsoon Yoon, Professor, Project Manager of The SCENE presented the Accelerated Nanotechnology Training program for undergraduates and the activities the 2019 summer program at NSU. Ms. Shirley Kendall, manager of Inclusion and Diversity Office at BNL presented internship programs at BNL. This is a great opportunity for students who attended the Accelerated Nanotechnology Training program at NSU to gain valuable applied experience and develop practical skills when they are interns at BNL.

Using the unique scientific tools and intellectual resources of Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), the Office of Educational Programs prepares the next generation of scientists, engineers, technicians, and educators. The undergraduate and graduate internship programs at BNL provide more than 350 students and professors from universities around the country each year the opportunity for an authentic research experience. Interns will have access to the Lab’s facilities and leading scientists in their fields to take on scientific challenges and gain experience working in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.


Industry Relation with Micron Technology

Norfolk State University and Micron Technology (Manassas, VA) are working together to promote and advocate nanotechnology and microelectronics curricula and programs to prepare post-secondary students for careers in these fields, including engineers and technicians. Norfolk State University is leading the NSF Southeastern Coalition for Engagement and Exchange in Nanotechnology Education (The SCENE) center as one of six NSF funded Louis Stokes Regional Centers of Excellence (LSRCEs) to broaden the participation of underrepresented minority students in STEM education and support their continuous tracks to job opportunities. The SCENE also provided research opportunities by teaming with Micron Technologies, NASA and Thomas Jefferson national Laboratory for 4-Year and 2-Year URM students to develop nanotechnology-related careers and sustain global leadership.

Particularly, the SCENE program is utilizing the NSU cleanroom (6,000 sq. ft. class 100/1000) and providing needed hands on semiconductor experience in semiconductors to 4-Year and 2-Year URM students for engineering and technician talent pipeline in Micron. The SCENE has a unique access to URM populations through its membership in various HBCU networks, such as the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) coalition and Advancing Minorities Interest in Engineering (AMIE).  The SCENE is aligned with the Growth4VA campaign launched by the Virginia Business Higher Education Council (VBHEC) that is about creating opportunity for all Virginians by investing in talent development and college affordability. Partnering with Micron who is serving on the VBHEC Advisory Board, the SCENE provided programs for URM students’ early stage engagement into rapidly growing high tech industries. More important than ever, strengthening relationship between the university and industry is critically important in the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy.


Invited Talk: TEM and SEM Principles

  • Dr. Sadegh Yazdi
    Associate Professor - Research
    Director, Facility for Electron Microscopy of Materials (CU FEMM)

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), Joint Institute with NREL
University of Colorado-Boulder


Invited Lecture: Microfluidics

  • Dr. Jung-Uk Shim
    School of Physics and Astronomy
    University of Leeds (UK)