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This project has three major objectives: 1. to introduce nanotechnology and food safety-related concepts and applications in a number of existing undergraduate major and non-major chemistry courses, two upper level undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry laboratory courses. 2. to provide nanotechnology and food safety experiential learning activities to middle school and high school students and their teachers through Summer Outreach K-12 Academy. 3. to provide interdisciplinary nano-themed seminar series and workshops with primary focus on (a) education and research; and (b) the importance of disease control and monitoring practices to the safety of our food supply and national security.
Non-Technical Summary: <BR>The long-term goal of the proposed project is to educate A-STEM students that possess nanotechnology and food safety skills, knowledge and abilities. This project, focused primarily on emerging DNA-based technologies, is expected to have significant positive outcomes/impacts because it will (1) promote educational equity by participation of minority students in cutting-edge education, research and workforce-related training ; (2) improve the rapid and sensitive diagnostic detection of pathogens, disease monitoring and control practices; (3) improve the quality, safety and security of food; and (4) increase A-STEM literacy among K-12 students and undergraduates. <P> Approach: <BR> A multidisciplinary team of VSU faculty will collaborate in this nanotechnology-related project that uses food safety concepts and applications in a number of A-STEM educational settings. The targets include existing undergraduate major and non-major chemistry courses and laboratory experiments as well as outreach enrichment/enhancement activities for K-12 students. Hands-on nanotechnology-based content curricula materials will be adapted and developed for use in classroom and laboratory instructions. The focus is the development of new rapid and cost-effective methods for the detection of bacteria and other food pathogens using nanotechnology. The goal is to inspire and encourage majors and non-majors to consider future career opportunities in the emerging multibillion dollar field of nanotechnology.