Johns Hopkins University has selected Portland State University in partnership with the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI), to host one of its Center for Talented Youth Comprehensive Family Academic Programs, Saturday, November 10, 2007, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in PSU's Hoffman Hall (1833 SW 11th Ave.).

Designed for academically talented 7-10th graders, the all-day conference will provide Johns Hopkin's Center for Talented Youth (CTY) students and their families the opportunity to mutually discover, grow and learn. The conference, focused around CTY's Science and Technology Series, will introduce students to innovative and exciting professionals in the fields of math and science.

Students and their families will participate in workshops including:
* "A Bloody Study:" Students will investigate microfluidic properties of blood through a hands-on activity experimenting on the impact of thrombin on fibrinogen.
* "Nanotechnology: Experiments in Solar Energy:" Students will explore the tiny new world of nanotechnology and build nanoparticle-based solar cells.
* "Investigating a Tiny World:" Students will use the PSU Center for Electron Microscopy and Nanofabrication* to investigate samples of insects and inquire into bug physiology.
* "Really Tiny Problems on a Really BIG Ship:" Students will learn how forensic science helped explain the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

Workshops will be led by PSU faculty and graduate students, Oregon Health and Sciences professors, Oregon State professors and graduate students and Skip Rung, executive director of ONAMI.

For more information on the event contact Skip Rung at 541-713-1331. Media interested in attending the workshops should contact Kristen Nieman at 503-725-5030 or krisc@cecs.pdx.edu.

CTY is committed to stimulating the minds and interests of students by presenting the most pioneering and exhilarating topics. Discussions, presentations, and workshops, led by prominent professionals, are intended to expose participants to various aspects of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. Along with the workshops, the day also includes a keynote speaker, hands-on discovery sessions and question and answer panels. For more information visit http://cty.jhu.edu/.

* The Center for Electron Microscopy and Nanofabrication at PSU has been designated as one of three ONAMI signature research facilities. It is used by university researchers from campuses all over the state, as well as from private industry.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#07-118)

Source: Kristen Nieman (503-725-5030)
Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science