This spring, New Visions Engineering students had the opportunity to visit the NanoScale Facility at Cornell University (CNF). The high school seniors got suited up and adjusted their safety glasses as they entered the Lester B. Knight Jr. Laboratory.
Tom Pennell, the Education and Outreach Coordinator, led the way giving the class insight into the scientific processes that occur daily in the lab such as wet and dry etching. Another key process that is repeated in this space is photolithography. It is the science of printing with light.
Students' excitement rose as they continued to ask questions and peered around at the technology and machinery that looked straight out of a science fiction movie. “I want to lower the barrier of entry to what seems like a very complex field and inspire kids to get into science,” explained Pennell. “My favorite quote from students when visiting is ‘That’s so cool!’ Everyone says it and it is a really good feeling. This work is super fun and rewarding.”
Building interest and education around nanotechnology is critical especially at this time. There has been a big push due to the passing of the CHIPS Act and Micron moving into Central New York. According to Micron, they plan to “build the largest semiconductor fabrication facility in the history of the United States.” The project is said to cost $100 billion dollars over a 20 year timeline and produce 50,000 jobs for New York State. “They (Micron) are going to be hiring lots of technicians and engineers, “says Pennell. “So if we work with young people and inspire them at a junior high or high school level then we can create a talent pipeline who are inspired to work in the science field.”
Dryden High School Seniors, Zakary Eshelman and Benjamin Anderson have spent the last year in the New Visions Engineering program and could not be happier with their experience. Throughout this program, students go on a variety of field trips and meet guest speakers. Eshelman shared how impactful visiting CNF was for him. “It was really cool! I liked learning about the new nanoscale technology and how it will be impacting society in the future. This class and these experiences have helped me find my passion.” Anderson could not agree more with his classmate. He says, “New Visions Engineering was the best class I have ever taken and my teacher, David Syracuse, is the best teacher I have ever had. We learned about science, English, math, physics, but I also learned a lot about myself. David Syracuse and Tom Pennell gave me more confidence in these subjects and moving forward in my interests. They made me feel like not only could I ask questions, but made me want to learn further. This class gives you the ability to try a lot of things.”
Students who want to attend New Visions programs come from high schools in Tompkins, Seneca and Tioga counties. Students that are eligible will participate during their senior year. Tuition is paid for by their home school district and books are provided by the program. There are three New Visions programs currently at TST BOCES that includes Life Sciences, Engineering, Health and Medical Sciences. David Syracuse has developed the New Visions Engineering program in the last few years with much thought on the future of learning for high school students. “In terms of programs like this, it's an incredible experience for the students. Engineering is really taking scientific knowledge and applying it to solve problems.” He continues further,”...so while giving students a broad look at the way the world works is important, just knowing things isn't going to solve problems. Students have to be able to take what they've learned and apply it, that's higher-level thinking, and education needs to swing in that direction.”
For more information on New Visions programs, click here or if you would like to get a tour of CNF, please contact Tom Pennell at pennell@cnf.cornell.edu.