The WVNano initiative at West Virginia University has teamed with the Children’s Discovery Museum of West Virginia to sponsor a day of special hands-on activities as part of a nationwide festival of educational programs focusing on nanoscale science and engineering.

Called “NanoDays,” the event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Children’s Discovery Museum of West Virginia at 5000 Greenbag Road, Mountaineer Mall.

NanoDays celebrations bring university researchers together with science educators to create new and unique learning experiences for both children and adults to explore the miniscule world of atoms, molecules, and nanoscale forces.

Children who participate can make their own nanomaterials, investigate thin materials used in solar cell technology, discover how a Blue Morpho butterfly gets its color, enjoy a special reading of “Alice in Nanoland” and view an art exhibit titled, “Imaging the Invisible.”

Members of the museum will receive free admission. A donation of $3 per child is suggested for non-members. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Discovery Museum of WV.

NanoDays is organized by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net) and takes place nationally every March. This community-based event involves science museums, research centers and universities from Puerto Rico to Alaska.

Most NanoDays events combine fun hands-on activities with presentations on current research. A range of exciting NanoDays programs demonstrate the special and unexpected properties found at the nanoscale, examine tools used by nanoscientists, showcase nanomaterials with spectacular promise, and invite discussion of technology and society.

For other NanoDays 2012 events occurring in Morgantown, visit http://wvnano.wvu.edu/education/NanoDays.

The NISE Network and NanoDays are based on work supported by the NSF under Award Nos. ESI-05322536 and 0940143.

-WVU-

gg/02/24/12

CONTACT: Aniketa Shinde, WVNano
304.293.7382, aniketa.shinde@mail.wvu.edu

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