A Nano of Your Time: Update on the 2008 Undergraduate Nanotechnology Conference

"Recent media coverage and paradigm shifts in scientific focus have generated a great amount of interest in anything 'nano', spawning a new breed of young scientists, engineers and businessmen: undergraduate nanotechnologists."
--UNC 2008 website

This year's conference happened during another day of unprecedented snowfall in Toronto--a day when over 280 flights at Pearson airport were cancelled. UNC Logistics Coordinator, Megan Hostetter, Division of Engineering Science, determined to ensure the conference's success, toted a shovel along to the venue as a precautionary measure. While some of the undergraduate student delegates could not attend UNC because of the severe weather conditions, the conference was well-attended and attracted delegates from as far away as Manitoba.

The conference--created by students for students--was the culmination of work by U of T students who were focused on exposing undergrads to the opportunities available to them in the growing field of nanotechnology. The planning committee for the 2008 conference built upon the experience of last year's event by inviting an increasingly diverse number of experts to speak about nanotechnology. Conference Director, Ian Stewart, Division of Engineering Science, was amazed at the impact the conference had on the delegates. "One student changed his future education plans after one conversation with one of the speakers."

MPP Bob Delaney, Minister of Research and Innovation, provided the opening address at UNC. "It was great that the Ontario government was able to participate and show their support of both undergraduate students and the importance of the development of nanotechnology," said Stewart. The day's events included featured talks by experts, workshops, student presentations, a panel discussion and a post-conference reception and dinner. Hostetter reported that the panel discussion was a delegate favourite; the panel defined nanotechnology and spoke on topics that ranged from environmental health and safety to careers in the field.

Both Hostetter and Stewart belong to the U of T Nanoclub, which organized the event; however, both were quick to mention the generous support of the Faculty and the University. Stewart relayed that Professor Doug Perovic, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, was instrumental in both the creation of the Nanoengineering Option and the support that made UNC possible. "Without the Department of Materials Science and Engineering's support last year, I don't think there would have been a UNC 2007, or a UNC 2008, for that matter."

When asked what personal benefits they gained from being involved in the planning of the conference, the two undergrads said that their participation had increased their leadership skills and that the entire UNC planning team had stepped up in an impressive way to make this unique event happen. Plans are already underway for UNC 2009. Stewart reports: "I think the biggest difference between UNC 2008 and UNC 2009 will be that we learned quite a bit on how to balance the types of speakers we invite and to increase the organizational involvement with other schools in Ontario."

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