January 26, 2009: The education group NanoTecNexus is launching a chapter the University of California, San Diego’s NanoEngineering department, according to a news release.

Also, according to the release, NTN is planning to launch a K-12 community outreach series this spring.

The UC San Diego program will include leadership skills training and career development as well as an opportunity to integrate with industry through special projects and activities.

“We are pleased to support a well conceived chapter program encompassing best practices and models from the NSF-funded Engineering Resource Center, other leading national organizations and student input,” said Kenneth Vecchio, chairman of UCSD’s NanoEngineering department. “NanoTecNexus is an important liaison to build linkages between students, industry and the community.”

As part of the outreach program, NTN is also contributing to the San Diego Science Festival being held this March with more than 500 different events and 250 collaborations. NTN featured programs for youth and general public include ‘Nanopalooza’, a NanoArt exhibit and a ‘Nanotech Mashup’ event to be hosted in partnership with UCSD’s NanoTumor Center. These unique events will offer hands on experiments and games and an opportunity to meet nanoscientists and learn how they will use nanomaterials to fight disease, address energy problems and build better products for society.