Innovations in Nanoscience Education at Kenyon College

We describe a program to enhance the teaching of nanoscience concepts in multiple pedagogical contexts at Kenyon College. We report on the use of a Veeco model CP-II scanning probe microscope in an introductory physics laboratory course and the student reactions to their experience. We also report on our experiences in use of the CP-II by senior-level physics students in an advanced laboratory course. A novel first year seminar course in nanoscience concepts is described, including an experiment on self-assembled monolayers. Since quantum mechanics governs physics on the nanoscale, we consider education about quantum mechanics to be included as a topic in nanoscience education. Hence, we report progress on our efforts to produce an inexpensive source of entangled photons so that students can directly confront quantum logic in the laboratory. Finally, we describe a program of outreach to high school science teachers that will be presented next summer.