Encouraging students to study nanotechnology can be intimidating.

So, Danville Community College is devoting certain classes to get teachers accustomed to the new field of study at the high school level.

The NanoTEACHworkshops are open to all K-12 teachers as well as college instructors. The sessions will familiarize educators with the basics of nanotechnology and then help participants develop lesson plans that can be taken back for immediate use in theK-12 classroom, according to the classs description.

Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter at a subatomic and molecular level and applying it to science and technology. It is being used in new ways in all kinds of business, health care and technological developments, according to nanotechnology workshop coordinator Mandy Stowe.

Stowe said the study is being used for all types of things like developing new chemicals for plants and pesticides, new ideas for environmental cleanups like oil spills and different types of cancer drugs that can specifically target tumors.

DCC already offers an associates degree in applied science with nanotechnology as well.

DCC is doing nanotechnology so students will get involved in it at an early age, said Stowe. So a lot of businesses will look at Danville because of this DCC program.

Some of the businesses are already here. Luna Innovations specifically their division Luna Nanoworks is in Danville working on pharmaceuticals with this technology. High-tech company IRflex Corp. is in Pittsylvania County.

DCC has been working to train local locals with the right skills for the jobs that may come to the area. Stowe said she hopes by getting high school teachers in the NanoTEACH workshops, they can familiarize high school students with nanotechnology, so it isnt so intimidating when they arrive in college.

Beverly Clark III, who has a doctorate in physics, serves as the head of the nanotechnology program at DCC. He believes this area can be known for having science technicians through programs like this. The school is also trying to partner with local businesses to create new courses to help improve the training of their employees. And several online courses are in development.

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