NSF-Funded Television Series to Air in April 2008

“Nanotechnology: The Power of Small,” the first major television series to examine the implications of advances in nanotechnology, will begin airing on local public broadcasting stations in April 2008. The series is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the presenting station and grantee for the series is Oregon Public Broadcasting. In the episodes, award-winning National Public Radio correspondent John Hockenberry asks policymakers, scientists, journalists, and community leaders questions concerning nanotechnology’s potential to impact people’s privacy and security, health, and environment. Featured experts include Harvard University researcher George M. Whitesides, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) chief scientist Andrew Maynard, and author Joel Garreau, among others.

On April 2, 2008, PEN and NSF will host the Washington, DC, premiere for the series.  The invitation-only event will include remarks by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Co-Chair of the Congressional Nanotechnology Caucus. The premiere is a “NanoDays 2008” special event.  “NanoDays 2008” is a weeklong series of community-based educational outreach programs focused on nanotechnology and engineering, sponsored by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education (NISE) Network.  “NanoDays 2008” programs are being held at science and natural history museums, universities, and policy and education centers around the nation from March 29, 2008, through April 6, 2008.