Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2009
CONTACT: Karen Barshefsky, UMass Extension/Massachusetts 4-H
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; 413-577-0758
 
[EDITORS: Photos of Yitzi Calm and his experiment, as well as of Massachusetts 4-H leader involved in the Science, Engineering and Technology program will be provided upon request.]
 
Massachusetts 4-H Experiment Goes Nano for Science, Engineering and Technology (SET)
You can learn a lot about calculating volume, area and depth by studying a nanoscale-thick film of oleic acid – especially if you happen to be taking part in the official Massachusetts 4-H Science Experiment through the 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology Program (4-H SET).
 
You would also quickly learn that a nanoscale-thick layer – or perhaps it’s more accurate to say nanoscale-thin layer – of oleic acid film is made up of a single layer of molecules. Or so.
 
Yitzhak (“Yitzi”) Calm, who graduated from UMass Amherst in May and is the outgoing student president of UMass Amherst’s undergraduate Physics Club, designed the experiment as part of statewide search for a single hands-on science experiment to engage young people across the state and attract them to the 4-H SET program.
 
The effort is a direct outgrowth of a national 4-H goal of attracting one million new participants to 4-H SET programs by 2013. That initiative gained momentum last year with the first 4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD). In February, Massachusetts 4-H issued a campus-wide call for submissions of experimental designs to be incorporated in its science, education and technology curriculum.
 
Such initiatives are critical to the future of 4-H and its members, says Massachusetts 4-H director Sherrie Guyott.
 
“It has never been more important for young people to be prepared to meet the science and technology challenges of the future. To ensure global competitiveness, we must act now to prepare the next generation of science, engineering, and technology leaders,” said Guyott.
 
“Highly accomplished young people like Yitzi Calm set a wonderful example. He and his project are especially helpful in making learning in science and technology so interactive.”
 
For having his experiment chosen, Calm has received the $1,000 cash award and will be featured presenter at the 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Conference at UMass Amherst June 29-July 1.
 
His submission includes a detailed design, as well as support material, including a Teacher’s Guide, and student worksheets (with and without hints). He has also prepared a step-by-step video guide to the experiment and its context. https://www.umassk12.net/nanodev/Nanofilm_Oleic_Acid_Langmuir_Film/080709_NOALF
 
Entitled Nanofilm: Oleic Acid Langmuir Film, the experiment is aimed at middle school students (grades 6-8), and incorporates elements aimed at addressing National Science Education Standards, Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Standards, and Massachusetts Mathematics Learning Standards. It is a low-cost, easy-to-prepare experiment requiring no hazardous materials, and it can be completed in about 15 minutes, not including calculations.
 
“The experiment provides the participant with a window into the world of nanotechnology; they actually get to build a nanometer-sized film,” notes Calm.
 
“I got to do an experiment just like this in high school chemistry, and I remember that at the time I thought it was pretty cool to be able to measure the length of a molecule.”