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With the creation of the National Nanotechnology Initiative in 2001 and the selection of six outstanding research universities to lead the creation of six National Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC), the opportunity to impact K-12 science curriculum with a new and compelling focus on nanoscience and technology is at hand. However, it is recognized that research scientists are often frustrated in trying to provide information to the K-12 schools to update science and mathematics curriculum. Teachers within those systems are sometimes similarly frustrated. This handbook attempts to provide a framework of the political forces that must be recognized in order to bring about successful changes to curriculum. It defines the groups or communities that impact curriculum in four major categories:
- Operations (teachers, administrative staff, superintendent)
- Policy (local and state boards of education)
- Law (Congress and state legislatures)
- Funding (Local governing bodies, school boards, state legislature, Federal Government)
