Gerhard Klimeck spoke to us about nanoHUB.org which is operated by the Network for Computational Nanotechnology. Its major goal is to enable online simulation for the nanotechnology and nanoscience community at large. Over 100 simulation tools have been deployed on the nanoHUB and the number keeps growing, as does the number of annual users, which is now over 80,000 in 172 countries. Funding comes from the National Science Foundation.

The nanoHUB site is a platform for simulations, lectures and courses to allow scientific knowledge transfer by connecting research to education. Traditional methods of knowledge transfer involve paper textbooks and professors lecturing to a small number of students in a classroom. By accessing the resources on nanoHUB, learners can have use of a large number of simulation tools as well as up-to-date lectures from researchers in the field. The nanoHUB team has twenty members but there are over 1,000 content authors.

MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses are becoming more accepted as valid teaching/learning opportunities. In the same manner, the learning opportunities provided on nanoHUB can serve the needs of many students anywhere in the world.

The following descriptors apply to nanoHUB: global, transformative, collaboration focused, growing, and creative. /p>

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
From PAUL HARRIS:  “In the clashes between ignorance and intelligence, ignorance is generally the aggressor.  To attempt to superimpose its views through the exercise of force, is seldom the part of intelligence; it is frequently the part of ignorance.  The less one knows, the more he thinks he knows, and the more willing he is to employ any and all measures to enforce his views upon others.  The stocks, and the many other means of inflicting physical and mental anguish were the devices of ignorance.  The story of the aggressions of ignorance against intelligence can never be told.”