One of the primary missions of the Nano-CEMMS Center is to develop a diverse workforce of educators, scientists, engineers, and practitioners to advance nanomanufacturing technology in the United States and around the world.

All graduate students, post-doctoral associates and fellows, researchers and professors affiliated with the Nano-CEMMS Center participate in the development and delivery of a wide range of Nano-CEMMS education programs.

UIUC and NCA&T work together to merge the education efforts on both campuses. Nano-CEMMS partners with College of Education faculty at UIUC and NCA&T to assist with program assessment and evaluation.

The Center provides a wide range of activities specifically targeted to increase the diversity of the students involved, to increase K-12 and undergraduate educational opportunities, and to provide graduate students with teaching experience in an emerging field.

Education activities include:

• University courses for undergraduates and graduate students
• Summer camp experiences for middle and high school students
• Teacher institutes and workshops for middle and high school teachers
• Summer research opportunities for undergraduates
• Extensive knowledge transfer activities, including weekly and annual symposia, a monthly graduate student group meeting, internships with industry, and an Industrial Affiliates Board
• Participation in major conferences
• Curriculum development, including learning modules for middle and high school students focused on nanomanufacturing
• An after-school program that targets high-achieving high school juniors who have an aptitude for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
• Research partnerships among faculty members, teachers and their students

Nano-CEMMS has several programs targeted to recruit, mentor, train, and provide educational opportunities for students from underrepresented groups. These include:

• School-year recruitment programs for high school students interested in mathematics, science and engineering
• A peer recruiting program for high school students
• A summer program that provides undergraduate students from underrepresented populations an opportunity to explore graduate school and careers in research
• Scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students
• A program that brings promising graduate school prospects from diverse cultures to the campus for a two-day visit