Students from around West Virginia convened at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory for five days of original research with scientists from NRAO, Concord University, and The Mountain Institute. In addition to beginning their research projects, they attended a talk on nanotechnology by Dr. Mike Norton of Marshall University and explored the nature of scientific inquiry through jigsaw puzzles (photo below).
Dr. Norton (below) talked about his lab’s work in self-assembling structures at atomic and molecular scales and potential applications. He presented a series of problems and questions yet to be solved in chemistry and nanotechnology and challenged YSDE students to pursue those questions.
Over the next five days, six YSDE teams will pursue research on electromagnetic radiation, geophysics, engineering, and radio astronomy. Teams will be posting updates of their research activities and progress–watch for updates at ysde.org.