Educational programs within the International Institute for Nanotechnology provide opportunities to students of all ages, educators at all levels, and the public at large.

In 2001, the IIN initiatied a partnership with the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) to plan a unique exhibit on nanoscience and nanotechnology. A "Nanotechnology: Front-End Evaluation Report" was completed in 2003 and provides a framework for academic/museum partnerships around the country. MSI is currently developing and field-testing hands-on exhibits that introduce the concepts of nanotechnology. The complete exhibit is scheduled to open in 2009.

In 2004, the IIN launched the first undergraduate journal of nanotechnology in the country - Nanoscape. The journal includes articles written by undergraduate researchers across the country and serves a predominately undergraduate audience. The journal is also available on-line at Nanoscape. In another publication program, IIN researchers collaborated with Wiley Publishing on the development of Small, the first professional international journal of nanotechnology, which launched in May 2005.

Interdisciplinary research centers partnered with the IIN provide hands-on research programs over the summer for promising undergraduates through several Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs. Innovative programs combining research and curriculum development are also offered for high school science teachers through Research Experience for Teachers (RET) programs. For more information about these programs visit the Nanoscale Science & Engineering Center's web page, or the Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence web page.

Center researchers working with pre-college administrators and teachers have developed modules for introducing nanoscience and nanotechnology in pre-college classrooms through hands-on team activities and design projects. To learn more, visit the DiscoverNano web page or the National Center for Teaching and Learning (NCLT) in Nanoscale Science & Engineering web page.

The NCLT is the only center of its kind in the country. Headquartered at Northwestern University, the center provides links to many resources for teachers.

The IIN and its partners strive to actively involve the community. The annual All Scout Nano Event, for example, was envisioned by Michale Kleppinger, Northrup Grumman engineer and assistant scoutmaster. Hundreds of young men and women participate in this event each year. Participants in the Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence are engaged in the annual Walk for Hope in Chicago. Additionally, the IIN and its partners organize numerous seminars, symposia, and workshops each year featuring recognized national and international leaders in the field of nanotechnology. Most of these are presented free and are open-to-the-public.

Visit the Calendar and Plan-it-Purple for a current listing of events.