The Science of Small Things

The Science of Small Things (SOST), a three-year National Science Foundation (NSF) funded nanotechnology program, has come to its final year. The program is a partnership between the UMass Lowell Center for Family, Work and Community, the UMass Lowell Center for High-rate Nano-manufacturing, Lowell Public Schools, Raytheon, Nypro, and the American Textile History Museum. For CFWC, this program has presented opportunities to develop new partnerships with multi-national corporations and to strengthen existing relationships with local schools and non-profits while simultaneously working to increase the number of minorities and young women in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) pipeline. 

More specifically, UMass Lowell NSF funded Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-Rate Nano-manufacturing (CHN)  develops techniques to commercialize nanotechnology products. These approaches create jobs and require the youth in Lowell to develop workforce skills accordingly. This project, therefore, has brought together leaders in the private industry and in the University to deliver nanotechnology-related experiences.

As a result, the program has successfully introduced nanotechnology to over 100 Lowell Public School students from Robinson, Butler, Wang and Pyne Arts Middle Schools. It has also connected the students with professional engineers from both the private industry and the University during after-school and summer programs. 

For more information contact Shawn Barry.