VINSE Outreach

On Friday, October 3, the Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE) went retro for the RETROspective Rewind Way Late Play Date at the Adventure Science Center. VINSE hosted three interactive demonstrations that showcased pivotal nanoscience discoveries and innovations spanning the past 70 years—tailored for a curious… Read More

The program introduces students to core concepts in nanoengineering, including nanoparticle behavior, materials science, and nanoscale problem-solving. Students will participate in lectures, hands-on labs, and research activities alongside Vanderbilt faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. The course is led by instructors Greg Walker and Sarah Ross, with teaching support from… Read More

Middle Tennessee teachers — take your classroom beyond the textbook with the VINSE-VSVS Rural Teacher Program! Sign-ups are now open for the VINSE-VSVS Rural Teacher Program—apply by June 20th! This program provides middle school science teachers with hands-on lesson kits… Read More

On Wednesday, April 9, Dr. Christina McGahan from the Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE) visited the STEM club at Jonathan Edwards Classical Academy in Whites Creek, Tennessee, to present an overview of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Dr. McGahan shared her academic and professional journey, from having no background… Read More

On Monday, March 10, VINSE welcomed 11 students from Robertson County’s homeschool group, Life is a Field Trip, organized by Susan Halsam, for our Cleanroom Solar Cell Lab. Inside the VINSE cleanroom, home of the cleanest air in Middle Tennessee, students explored solar energy through hands-on activities. During the lab,… Read More

On Friday, November 8th, VINSE welcomed 9 students from Clarkrange High School to our Forensics Lab. It seems like there was nothing eye-catching at the “crime scene,” but what were the hidden clues? During the forensics lab program, the students solved a whodunnit-themed activity using several types of spectroscopies including… Read More

On Friday, October 25th, VINSE welcomed 14 students from Central Magnet School to our Forensics Lab. Their task was to gather evidence of the “murderer” using the different tools in the lab before the day’s end! Using several types of spectroscopies including Raman, FTIR, absorption and photoluminescence, clues were revealed. Read More

Last fall, VINSE invited our community to participate in the NanoGuides Logo Design Competition, challenging you to craft a logo that captures the essence of our student volunteers. We are thrilled to congratulate Vikash Khokhar for his winning design!  In addition to having his design featured on NanoGuides… Read More

On Tuesday, April 23, VINSE welcomed nine students from Clay County High School to our Forensics Lab. Their job was to find proof of “murderer” using the various tools in the lab before the end of the day! Our NanoGuides provided an introduction to the optical properties of natural and… Read More

It seems like nothing eye-catching at the “crime scene”, but what are the hidden clues that you should not miss out? On Thursday, April 11, VINSE welcomed 16 students from White House Heritage High School to our Forensics Lab. During the forensics lab program, the students solved a whodunnit-themed activity using several types… Read More