NUANCE Engages Young Scientists at All Scout Nano Day

Hosted by Northwestern’s International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN), All Scout Nano Day is a long-running outreach program that introduces scouts to the field of nanoscience through hands-on learning and interaction with researchers. Since its founding in 2003, the event has welcomed more than 1,600 participants and continues to inspire curiosity about science and engineering careers.

On April 11, the NUANCE Center contributed to this effort by welcoming five groups of scouts for hands-on demonstrations using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Led by Tirzah Abbott, Michael Barsoum, and Christopher Sharpe, students explored samples ranging from insects and hair to lunar regolith—gaining a firsthand look at how scientists study materials at the nanoscale.

The experience offered a rare opportunity to engage directly with advanced research tools, including visualizing structures at near-atomic resolution. Across campus, scouts also participated in presentations, experiments, and poster sessions, culminating in an awards ceremony celebrating their work.

For the NUANCE team, the goal is simple: spark curiosity early by making the invisible world visible—and show students what’s possible in science.