“Over the past year, I have been very impressed with how the RAIN program could be implemented in K-12 classrooms. We have had great success in the past implementing NASA resources in schools, bridging earth and space science. However, thinking about the phenomena-based next generation science standards (NGSS) practices, having a real-time analysis connected to our lab activities has elevated our impact. For example, earlier this year we ran a geology lab based on NASA’s Mars Sample Return program. Students explored rock samples based on the idea that a Martian rock sample send from Mars back to Earth. When students determined the nature of their sample, they were able to dial into a RAIN lab with the same sample and given the opportunity to interact with the technician, validating their conclusions. The live connection to scientists, especially in schools without easy access to scientific institutions, has given students a unique chance to interact with representative, collegiate science.”
“Last year, we had the awesome chance of controlling a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) right from our very own classroom! Our job was to inspect strands of hair that Mrs. Baker (our teacher) had collected from a few different classmates and mailed to North Seattle College, where they were prepared for imaging. Until then, we had only seen samples under an SEM, but this time around, we were going to be the ones behind the magic. How cool was that?! We were trying to figure out which classmate was the “thief” by comparing their hair samples to the one “whodunnit”. It was really intriguing to see the real-life use of the SEM in a forensic science application. Although we weren’t there, it felt like we were the scientists, closely inspecting different parts of the hair, measuring the width using the ruler tool, and describing each sample’s physical properties. This really made me interested in what we would see if we zoomed in even more, such as using a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Would it help us examine the sample better?
“The remote session revealed the vast world of applications for this scientific tool. Its use could range from biomimicry research to making cool looking art (anyone?). I strongly believe this is just the beginning of the world of nano, which might quite possibly help us seamlessly transition into the quantum universe.”
“I am an alumnus of the Nano Program at North Seattle College. I worked for a year as a Lab Assistant at the Nanotechnology Lab. One of the skills I learned was running Remote Access sessions. With my help, the R.A. client used TeamViewer to connect to and take control of our instruments, the most popular being our Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
We conducted two main types of sessions:
- One was educational, for schools and colleges. A session started with a brief explanation of the technology, followed by a guided hands-on session for each student. They piloted the machine and performed zooming, focusing and image capture on samples they had previously sent us. I prepared and mounted their samples on SEM stubs beforehand and loaded the samples into the SEM chamber prior to running each session. The thrill of a young student when they see the piece of snakeskin they sent in magnified 7500 times is palpable and electric.
- The other was for industrial clients. They sent in samples of industrial products for elemental analysis. I prepared and mounted the samples and scheduled a remote session. During such a session, I would drive the machine under the client’s direction. Local companies found this service valuable, but it was even more valuable to me, as a student of the program. I saw several commercial uses of an SEM and interacted with scientists, engineers, inventors, and business people. I was offered a job before I had even graduated.
Remote Access sessions provide an invaluable service as an educational tool, and as a bridge between North Seattle College and local Industry.”
“I just want to let you know that as a community college faculty, how appreciative I am that the RAIN Network can provide such a learning opportunity for our students.”
