TryNano – The NanoQuest: Empowering Girls in STEM through Nanotechnology Exploration

CH10981 – Hyderabad Section Chapter,NANO42, IEEE NTC Young Professionals Region 10

Program/Event Category
Camp, Competition, Girls in STEM, Mentoring, Student Workshop, Teacher Workshop, Industry Company Tour, Career Day

Engineering Program Focus
Communications and Networking Technologies (e.g. 5G, IoT, Wireless), Signal Processing Technology (e.g. Artificial Intelligence, Speech, Image and Video Processing, Virtual Reality), Women in Engineering (e.g. specific outreach for girls), Electrical Engineering , Computer Science, Robotics Engineering

Target Audience
Students aged 5-10, Students aged 11-13, Students aged 14-18, Educators teaching ages 2-4,
Educators teaching ages 5-10, Educators teaching ages 11-13, Educators teaching ages 14-18

Primary Contact Name
Dr. Santhosh Sivasubramani

Primary Contact Email Address
[email protected]

IEEE Member ID
SM92440075

The TryNano – The NanoQuest is an engaging program series specifically designed to inspire and empower young girls to explore STEM fields through the exciting world of nanotechnology. Targeted at middle and high school girls, this initiative offers a unique blend of hands-on activities, mentorship, and interactive learning experiences that focus on the fundamental concepts of nanoscience. The program aims to dismantle stereotypes, build confidence, and cultivate a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in a supportive and inclusive environment. By immersing participants in the realm of nanotechnology, TryNano seeks to ignite curiosity and provide a pathway for future innovators and leaders in STEM.

Purpose and Objectives
The primary purpose of TryNano – The NanoQuest is to bridge the gender gap in STEM by providing early exposure to scientific fields traditionally underrepresented by women, particularly in nanotechnology. The program leverages the appeal of nanoscience—a cutting-edge and multidisciplinary domain that intersects physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering—to make STEM accessible and exciting. Its key objectives include:

Inspiring Interest in STEM: Through captivating activities and real-world applications, the program introduces girls to the fascinating world of nanotechnology, sparking a genuine interest in scientific careers.

Building Confidence and Skills: By engaging in problem-solving tasks, experiments, and projects, participants gain hands-on experience that enhances critical thinking, collaboration, and technical skills.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: The program strives to create a welcoming space where girls feel encouraged and empowered to pursue STEM fields, free from stereotypes or preconceived biases.

Providing Mentorship Opportunities: Participants are connected with female mentors and role models working in STEM industries, offering guidance, support, and inspiration for future educational and career choices.

Program Structure and Activities
TryNano – The NanoQuest is structured as a series of workshops, challenges, and collaborative projects that delve into various aspects of nanotechnology. Each session is designed to be interactive and engaging, emphasizing real-world applications and allowing participants to see the tangible impact of STEM in everyday life.

Introduction to Nanotechnology: The program begins with a foundational overview of nanoscience, explaining concepts such as the nanoscale, unique material properties at the atomic level, and how nanotechnology influences diverse fields like medicine, environmental science, and electronics.

Hands-on Experiments: Participants are involved in guided experiments that explore phenomena like self-assembly, surface tension, and nano-material synthesis. These activities help demystify complex topics and build core scientific skills.

NanoQuest Challenges: These problem-solving challenges are designed to stimulate creativity and teamwork. Participants work in groups to design solutions using nanotechnology principles, tackling issues such as water purification, energy storage, and biomedical engineering.

Career Exploration and Mentorship: Invited guest speakers and mentors from academia and industry share their experiences, provide career insights, and engage in Q&A sessions to discuss the challenges and rewards of working in STEM fields.

Impact and Outcomes
By the end of the NanoQuest series, participants will have gained a deeper understanding of nanotechnology and its potential to address global challenges. More importantly, the program empowers girls to envision themselves as scientists, engineers, and innovators, equipped with the knowledge and confidence to pursue STEM-related educational and career paths.

The TryNano – The NanoQuest is more than a program; it is a movement to redefine the narrative around women in STEM, providing a platform for the next generation of female leaders to shine and shape the future of science and technology.

The underrepresentation of women in STEM, particularly in engineering and technology, has long been a concern. NanoQuest is conceived as a response to this challenge, leveraging the IEEE Women in Engineering (WiE) support to create a unique educational opportunity focused on nanotechnology. Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter at the nanoscale, is an emerging field with vast potential but often lacks representation from diverse demographics.

The program draws inspiration from the success of previous STEM initiatives and recognizes the need for targeted efforts to engage and empower girls in STEM. Leveraging the IEEE TryEngineering Fund, NanoQuest builds on the foundation of existing STEM outreach programs while specifically tailoring content to captivate the interest of girls through nanotechnology exploration.

NanoQuest aligns with the broader mission of the IEEE, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and
advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. The program is designed to not only introduce girls to the fascinating world of nanotechnology but also to create a supportive network of mentors and role models from the IEEE Women in Engineering community.
By offering a series of nanotech workshops, mentorship programs, and a STEM awareness
campaign, NanoQuest aims to break down barriers, foster a sense of belonging, and encourage sustained interest in STEM among participating girls. The project’s timeline, budget, and evaluation plan have been meticulously structured to ensure effective implementation, assessment of impact, and compliance with IEEE guidelines.

NanoQuest represents a significant step towards creating a more equitable and diverse future in engineering, contributing to the IEEE’s commitment to fostering the next generation of engineers. Through this initiative, we seek to inspire, empower, and ultimately bridge the gender gap in STEM fields, making a lasting impact on the lives of young girls and the broader STEM community.