Utilization of Remote Access Electron Microscopes to Enhance Technology Education and Foster STEM Interest in Preteen Students

Biomimicry of Blue Morpho butterfly wings: An introduction to nanotechnology through an interdisciplinary science education module

“…RAIN has been shown to be an effective tool that increases engagement in STEM and proven to be an effective means to introduce technology education to students. 4,15 As biological matter yields a lot of charging problems under electron beam investigation, the characterization started with a thin Au layer sputtering onto the wings. At a deposition rate of 0.4 nms À1 with DC sputtering, close to a layer of 3 nm of Au helps counteract the charging 5C reveals that the nanostructured photonic medium that displays the blue colors is not present at the back side as they are replaced by a combination of quasi-periodic ridges and sub-micron apertures which cause higher order diffractions diffusing the light rather than yielding structured coloration.…”

“…Remote access to nanotechnology instruments was shown to be an effective tool in introducing students to technology education and how the SEM works. 4 Butterflies are the adult flying form of a class of insects falling under the order Lepidoptera that are characterized by wing pattern, color, and size. The colors and patterns of wings are primarily derived from numerous dust-like scales that cover its surface.…”

Early Career and Remote Undergraduate Research Experiences as Catalysts for More Impactful Community College STEM Opportunities

“…6. Published 16 peer-reviewed articles that include 31 community college undergraduate students [7,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. 7.…”

“…They learn how to ask scientific questions, form a hypothesis, collect data, and, most importantly, present their conclusions through presentations and publications. Students in the eCURe program have thus far published experimental design papers in using Remotely Accessible Instruments in Nanotechnology (RAIN) [9]- [12], STEM-based chemistry experiments [13], [14] and effective STEM teaching and outreach programs [15], [16]. Additionally, over 40 eCURe students have presented their work at regional and national conferences, including at the Council for Undergraduate Posters on the Hill in Washington, DC (Figure 2).…”