Engaging Students in Early Exploration of Nanoscience Topics Using Hands-On Activities and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.

This manuscript reports on efforts to introduce beginning college students to the modern nanoscience field. These include: implementing selected experiments into sequencing core first-year and second-year chemistry laboratory courses; providing students with a first research experience; and engaging them in service learning and outreach programs where they act as activity presenters. The various projects, emphasizing hands-on learning, have affected a large number of science and engineering students and also thousands of students in grades K–12. The program provides students with experiences working with nanomaterials and using scanning tunneling microscopy. By participating in these projects, students have increased their awareness and knowledge of different areas of nanoscience and improved their attitudes toward chemistry.