The Center for High Technology Materials (CHTM) at the University of New Mexico has expanded its science outreach efforts, supported by a $500,000 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) grant awarded in 2022. The grant, spanning five years, has enabled CHTM to collaborate with Explora Science Center and Museum in Albuquerque on a permanent exhibit about quantum computing. The exhibit uses color mixing to explain complex concepts and aims to engage children in scientific learning.
Francesca Cavallo, associate director at CHTM, has led these initiatives. “We call it ‘nano-enrich’ because we make nanoscale science and technology accessible to the public and make it easy to understand,” Cavallo said.
In addition to the museum partnership, CHTM launched summer camps where students dress as nano-scientists and participate in laboratory activities. The program also brings hands-on exhibits to local libraries, schools, and science fairs.
An internship program was established for deaf and hard of hearing participants, providing lab experience with support from American Sign Language interpreters. The initiative has since grown to include more people. “This is all part of a broad effort to make science, Nanoscience specifically, more accessible and to draw more people to it,” Cavallo said.
Cavallo reports that interest in their programs continues to grow as quantum research becomes increasingly important in New Mexico and beyond. She notes an increasing number of requests each month for participation in events and career talks related to their outreach activities.
