This chapter examines the challenges that educators face in teaching nanotechnology.A survey was conducted with nano science and engineering researchers and educators from precollege through graduate school to explore issues educators face in teaching about nanotechnology and nanoscale science. The challenges that were noted by survey respondents include a lack of textbooks and instructional materials as well as a lack of laboratory investigations and laboratory equipment. For precollege educators there is a perceived mismatch between the existing science curriculum and the essential concepts that comprise nanotechnology. There is also a need for more professional development to help teachers in precollege, community college and undergraduate levels have the knowledge and skills needed to teach this rapidly evolving area. This chapter highlights the new opportunities that nanotechnology offers for underrepresented minorities to engage in new interdisciplinary areas of science and engineering.

This introduction is a summary of the workshop from the perspective of one of the workshop participants. It is followed by a report written by the workshop organizers, giving their perspective, and then the position papers.

where she conducts research on teaching and learning in STEM. Jones is also the coordinator of NanoDays and is a teacher educator working to prepare the next generation of teachers for middle and high schools.