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NanoJapan: Connecting U.S. Undergraduates with the Best of
Nanotechnology Research in Japan
Lead Institution: Rice University, Houston, TX
Collaborating Institutions: University of Tulsa, SUNY-Buffalo, University of
Florida, Texas A&M University, and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale;
University of Tokyo, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Keio University, RIKEN, the
National Institute of Materials Science, Chiba University, Osaka University, Osaka
Institute of Technology, Kyoto University, Tohoku University, Shinshu University,
Hokkaido University
Category: Global/Summer Program
Date Implemented: May 2006
Website: http://nanojapan.rice.edu
Program Description: The NanoJapan: International Research entrepreneurship programs, and graduate study. Among alumni
Experience for Undergraduates (IREU) program focuses on who have graduated, 39 are pursuing STEM graduate study,
cultivating interest in nanotechnology among students, espe- one received a Hertz Fellowship, one received a Churchill
cially those from underrepresented groups, and encouraging Scholarship, one received an NSF East Asia Pacific Summer
them to pursue graduate study and research in the physical Fellowship to return to Japan for graduate research, and six
sciences. This twelve-week summer program involves first and have received NSF Graduate Research Fellowships.
second year undergraduate science and Assessment Information: To assess stu-
engineering students from universities nation- dents' attitudes towards the engineering
wide in research internships with Japanese profession, we administer the Pittsburgh
nanoscience laboratories. While the heart of Freshman Engineering Student Attitude
the program is the summer research experi- Assessment (PFESAA), designed to measure
ence, NanoJapan places strong emphasis on four facets : 1) definition of engineering; 2)
preparing students to work effectively in cross attitude about engineering; 3) selfassessed
-cultural laboratory settings. Before beginning confidence; and 4) selfassessed skills
work in their research labs, students complete including working in groups. Language
a three-week orientation program based in Tokyo that combines proficiency is assessed by the OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview),
45-hours of Japanese language instruction, an orientation to an American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Japanese life and culture, and an introduction to nanoscale instrument that stresses students' oral communication skills and
science in Japan. At the completion of the orientation, the rates students on a scale ranging from NoviceLow to Superior.
students depart for their research labs, working for eight weeks The OPI is administered as a post-program test to all students;
at universities throughout Japan. At the end of the summer, the students with prior language study also complete a pretest.
students return to Rice University to participate in a re-entry Research has correlated gains in oral proficiency with intercul-
seminar and present their summer research as part of the Rice tural effectiveness. Gains in intercultural learning are assessed
Quantum Institute (RQI) Annual Research Colloquium. by the Intercultural Developmental Inventory (IDI), which is
Obstacles exist for U.S.-Japan collaboration, primarily linguis- taken prior to participation in the international experience,
tic and cultural barriers, and our project aims to break down shortly after return, and within six months of return from Japan.
these barriers by providing future generations of researchers We maintain alumni records regarding participants' additional
with understanding of both the culture and the state-of-the-art research or international activities, graduate school, success
technology in each country. NanoJapan also strives to foster the with scholarships and fellowships, and employment; program
development of intercultural communication skills and under- alumni will be required to submit an updated CV annually.
standing among participants and host research labs. Funding/Sustainability: The annual cost for 12 students is
Anticipated and Actual Outcomes: The objectives are: a) to $265,250, including staff salaries, travel, and approximately
cultivate an interest in nanotechnology as a field of study $13,795 per student. salary costs: manager: $57,500; assess-
among first and second-year students; b) to cultivate the next ment: $9,700; int'l travel expenses for faculty & staff: $32,500;
generation of graduate students in nanotechnology; c) to add to student costs ($165,550): student international airfare: $22,300;
the skill set of active nanoscience researchers; d) to create airport shuttles: $500; pre-departure orientation (2 days lodging
students who are internationally savvy and have a specific & meals): $1,850; orientation in Tokyo (3 wks): lodging:
interest in and knowledge of Japan; and e) to simultaneously $16,500, organization & administration: $18,500, beginning
educate students in culture, language and technology, in order language classes (45 hours): $10,500, intermediate language
that they may be more effective when addressing global classes (45 hours): $9,500, intro to nanoscience seminar
scientific problems. Since 2006, 106 freshman and sophomore speakers: (20 hours): $1,500, JP Society seminar speakers (9
students representing 37 different U.S. institutions, including hours): $1,200, classroom rental fee: $2,500, cultural excur-
three community colleges, have participated. Among partici- sions & programming: $10,000; research internship - student
pants, 35% are women and 15.1% represent diverse ethnic housing/living stipends (8 weeks): $54,500; mid-program mtg.
groups. Alumni have gone on to pursue a wide range of other in Kyoto: student lodging & traditional Japanese arts workshop:
international opportunities including additional summer $8,700; re-entry program at Rice (lodging & meals for 3 days):
research, semester study abroad, international development and $4,500; assessment: language: $1,500, intercultural: $1,500.
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