Big Picture on Small Things

Congratulations to UMass Lowell on landing a $35 million appropriation to proceed with its nanotechnology center. The enthusiasm of our local representatives for this project was clear from the related newspaper article which also offered a sharp contrast to the acute lack of enthusiasm they expressed for the prospects of the Lowell schools receiving the more generous amount of Chapter 70 aid proposed by the Senate. Unfortunately, no one has pointed out how inconsistent these positions are. UML is not interested in nanotechnology inventions, but in nanotechnology manufacturing. People and institutions around the world are finding new uses for nano products, but few are learning how to mass produce such products. That’s where UML comes in. And a major part of the UML initiative is workforce training by influencing the curriculum of the Lowell schools (current home of future nano-workers). But without adequate funding, the kind of intensive math, science and technology instruction needed to prepare the workers of tomorrow will lag in Lowell’s schools.