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    Nanotechnology: Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things?
    Hybrid Program

    Nanotechnology: Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things?

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    Brown’s nanotechnology course develops students’ ability to design nanomaterials, investigate scientific questions through laboratory experiments, and communicate their findings.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Students completing grades 10-12

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16-18

    Location / Region

    Providence, Rhode Island, United States

    Cost

    $10,858; $8,902

    Duration

    5 weeks

    Format

    Hybrid

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    ScienceSpace & physicsTechnology
    Accommodation: Single, double or triple rooms
    Meals: Residential: three daily; commuter: one
    Certificate / Outcome: Digital certificate; instructor performance report
    Sessions / cadence: Online 15-20 hours/week; campus Monday-Friday mornings
    Independent campus work: At least 2-3 hours daily
    Tutor: Thomas Webster
    Assessment style: Research project, presentation and poster

    Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? summary

    This Brown University research course asks students to create a nanomaterial that could address a real societal problem. It connects physics and chemistry with applications such as medicine, energy and clean water.

    Students move from journal reading and experimental design to fabrication, testing and presenting their results. It suits curious scientists who want to experience the uncertainty of research as well as its practical techniques.

    What is Nanotechnology: Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things??

    Nanotechnology: Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? is a Brown University Pre-College Course-Based Research Experience. Students explore how nanoparticles behave and why their properties matter in applications from medicine to energy. The course combines interactive teaching with an independently designed research project.

    The hybrid structure begins with online topic research, scientific techniques and feedback on experimental design, followed by laboratory work at Brown. Students fabricate and characterize a nanomaterial, analyze their results and compare their solution with existing approaches. They communicate their findings through a class presentation and the CRE poster symposium.

    Why Succeed highlights Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things?

    • Students develop their own research question and experimental design, giving them meaningful responsibility for the investigation.

    • Nanoparticle fabrication and characterization connect scientific theory with practical laboratory techniques.

    • Comparing a proposed nanotechnology solution with existing methods encourages critical evaluation rather than assuming innovation is automatically better.

    • The class presentation and poster symposium give students practice explaining research to an audience.

    Who is Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy physics, chemistry and practical problem-solving, and want to investigate a question whose answer is uncertain.

    Not ideal if

    You want a light introductory course, college credit, or a fully online experience without campus travel.

    Is Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? worth it?

    This course is worth considering when your main goal is to test whether you enjoy experimental research. Designing a material, evaluating results and explaining limitations can give you more concrete insight into scientific work than lectures alone. The poster and instructor report also provide records of what you accomplished.

    The substantial fee and daily workload make it a significant family commitment. It is noncredit, and participation is not a special route into Brown undergraduate admission. Its strongest value lies in the research experience and your reflection on it, rather than the university name alone.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $10,858; $8,902; includes Five-week hybrid course instruction and research activities., Residential housing during the three campus weeks., Residential breakfast, lunch and dinner daily., One daily campus meal for commuters., Fitness, athletic and aquatics center access during campus study., Program activities and excursions., Digital completion certificate and instructor Course Performance Report..

    Accommodation

    Single, double or triple rooms

    Meals

    Residential: three daily; commuter: one

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    5 weeks; Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? need?

    Effort level

    High, with independent research and daily academic work.

    Best started

    Begin 4-6 weeks before a future cycle’s application deadline, then reserve the week before classes for online orientation.

    Main challenge

    Turning a broad societal concern into a testable experiment and responding constructively when results disappoint.

    Typical preparation

    • Gather current-year and previous-year grades and draft your own 250-500-word application essay.

    • Allow extra preparation time for English testing, accommodation requests and travel arrangements when needed.

    • Read introductory material on nanoparticles and identify a societal problem you would like to investigate.

    • Prepare a suitable laptop and laboratory clothing, and complete the required Canvas orientation.

    Useful if

    You want to explore laboratory science and strengthen your scientific reasoning.

    What do students do on Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things??

    You develop and test a nanomaterial intended to address a problem you choose. The work follows the scientific process from reading and hypothesis development through laboratory experiments and communication of results.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Research your topic and read relevant scientific journal articles.

    2. 2

      Develop a hypothesis and experimental design with instructor feedback.

    3. 3

      Learn the scientific principles and techniques needed to fabricate nanoparticles.

    4. 4

      Make and characterize your nanomaterial in Brown’s facilities.

    5. 5

      Analyze the results and compare your approach with existing solutions.

    6. 6

      Present your findings to the class and participate in the research poster symposium.

    Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    15 May 2026

    General Pre-College deadline published on Brown’s admissions page.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    22 June-24 July 2026

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    General Brown Pre-College application opening.

    Reference date

    Online orientation

    Week of 15 June 2026

    Self-paced Canvas preparation must finish by noon on the Friday before classes.

    Reference date

    Online research phase

    22 June-2 July 2026

    Required live meetings occur on two Mondays, alongside asynchronous work.

    Reference date

    Campus check-in

    5 July 2026

    9 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastern at Sayles Hall.

    Reference date

    Campus research phase

    6-24 July 2026

    Monday-Friday classes, 8:30-11:20 a.m. Eastern.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Ages 16-18 by 14 June 2026 for the reference cycle.

    • Students completing grades 10-12.

    • Admission to Brown Pre-College before separate course enrollment.

    • Strong English proficiency for academic study and campus independence.

    • English test results for international applicants whose primary language differs.

    • Strong science interest and hypothesis-driven problem-solving are recommended.

    How much does Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? cost?

    Residential program fee

    $10,858 — Includes campus housing, meals and facility access.

    Funding or discounts

    • Commuter program fee: $8,902 — Includes one campus meal daily and facility access.
    • Application fee: $80 — Application fee waivers have eligibility restrictions.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before course enrollment; refund exceptions are limited.
    • Scholarships: Sibley or PPSD — Separate application; citizenship or residency restrictions apply.

    What's included

    Five-week hybrid course instruction and research activities., Residential housing during the three campus weeks., Residential breakfast, lunch and dinner daily., One daily campus meal for commuters., Fitness, athletic and aquatics center access during campus study., Program activities and excursions., Digital completion certificate and instructor Course Performance Report.

    How to apply to Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things?

    1. 1

      Create one applicant account through Brown’s official Pre-College Student Portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the general Pre-College application and write the required 250-500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current-year and previous-year grades and any required English test results.

    4. 4

      Pay the $80 application fee or follow the application fee waiver process.

    5. 5

      Monitor your portal and email for missing-material requests and the admission decision.

    6. 6

      After admission, review course eligibility and choices before submitting the $500 deposit.

    7. 7

      Enroll separately in the nanotechnology course through your Student Portal.

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    What does Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Nanomaterial fundamentals

    Explore chemical bonding, grain size, crystallinity, energy, physics and chemistry behind nanoparticle behavior.

    Fabrication and characterization

    Make nanoparticles and learn techniques for examining materials too small to see individually.

    Research design

    Use journal reading, a hypothesis and experimental planning to investigate a societal concern.

    Analysis and communication

    Analyze results, compare existing solutions and explain findings through a presentation and research poster.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things??

    A typical day during the program.

    Campus classes

    Classes run 8:30-11:20 a.m. Eastern during the campus portion.

    Independent work

    Plan at least 2-3 homework hours for reading, research, writing and presentations.

    Residential check in

    Face-to-face check-in is required at 10 p.m. Eastern; students remain on their floor until 6 a.m.

    Who teaches on Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things??

    Thomas Webster is listed as the instructor for this course. Students work with instructors on research development and receive feedback on their experimental design during the online phase.

    Where do students stay on Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things??

    Residential plan

    • Residence hall rooms: Single, double or triple rooms include furniture, wireless internet and portable or central air conditioning.
    • Three daily meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in Brown’s all-you-care-to-eat dining halls.
    • Student life support: Trained resident assistants support students, with nightly check-ins and staff on call 24/7.
    • Campus recreation: Campus study includes access to fitness, athletic and aquatics facilities, plus program activities and excursions.

    Non-residential plan

    • Commuter option: Students attend the campus portion without a residence hall room assignment.
    • Commuter campus access: The commuter fee includes one daily meal, campus resources, activities and fitness facilities.

    Housing covers the campus portion only. Students bring bedding and towels, and roommate requests are not honored.

    What happens after Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things??

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Build experience designing, executing and analyzing a scientific investigation.

    Develop a nanomaterial research project around a societal concern.

    Present findings through a class presentation and research poster.

    Receive a digital certificate after successful completion.

    Receive an instructor Course Performance Report.

    The course is noncredit and does not confer a special advantage in Brown undergraduate admission.

    Where does Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? take place?

    The campus portion takes place at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, with residential check-in at Sayles Hall on the Main Green. Families arrange transportation to and from campus, and students are expected to manage their belongings independently.

    Brown does not provide transportation or coordinate travel assistance.

    Learning format

    The online phase blends asynchronous research preparation in Canvas with required live project discussions; plan 15-20 hours of total engagement weekly and log in daily. The course-specific live meetings last one hour and 90 minutes, followed by campus classes Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 11:20 a.m. Eastern and at least 2-3 homework hours daily.

    Online orientation is self-paced during the week before classes and must be completed before the course begins.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Instructor feedback on your research project and experimental design.

    • Direct work with instructors to develop a novel research project.

    • Instructor office hours for course questions and assignments.

    • Writing Center appointments for writing support.

    • Language support for students whose primary language is not English.

    • Instructor evaluation through the Course Performance Report.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Required online meetings use Eastern Time.
    • The first live meeting runs noon-1 p.m.; the second, 6-7:30 p.m.
    • Campus classes run Monday-Friday, 8:30-11:20 a.m. Eastern.
    • Online work requires daily engagement and 15-20 hours weekly.
    • Convert the required live meeting times before committing to the course.

    Tech requirements

    • Laptop capable of downloading course software; some Chromebooks are unsuitable.

    • Reliable internet connection.

    • Webcam and microphone, built-in or external.

    • Word-processing software and a PDF reader.

    • Access to Canvas, Zoom and your Brown email account.

    Assessment style

    Assessment centers on research work, scientific communication and an instructor performance report, without formal grades.

    • Develop a hypothesis and experimental design with feedback.
    • Analyze results and compare your material with existing solutions.
    • Present research findings to the class.
    • Participate in the CRE research poster symposium.
    • Successful completion and participation underpin the completion certificate.

    Portfolio and outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main output is a nanomaterial research project addressing a societal concern you choose.

    • Class presentation explaining your methods and findings.

    • Research poster presented at the CRE symposium.

    • Digital certificate after successful completion.

    • Instructor Course Performance Report.

    Nanotechnology Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? FAQs

    Students begin with online research preparation, asynchronous work and required live meetings. They then conduct experiments at Brown University during the campus portion.

    You design and fabricate a nanomaterial intended to address a societal concern, such as clean water or disease detection. You develop a hypothesis, test the material, analyze results and present your findings.

    The course requires a laptop capable of downloading the necessary software. Brown warns that some devices, including Chromebooks, cannot accommodate this course’s specific needs.

    This is a noncredit Pre-College course. Successful completion leads to a digital certificate of completion and an instructor Course Performance Report.

    Residential students are assigned a single, double or triple room and receive breakfast, lunch and dinner during the campus portion. The commuter option provides one campus meal daily and does not include a residence hall room.

    Trained student life staff support residential students, with staff on call around the clock and a required nightly check-in. Students are also expected to act independently and may explore Rhode Island within program rules.

    Students can request accommodations through the Medical Authorization and Health History Form. Brown considers requests for disabilities, medical conditions and significant food allergies, and dining staff can discuss additional dietary support.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Summer@Brown Hybrid Course-Based Research Experience (CRE) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE)
    • Laboratory/Project Attire
    • 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
    • Nanotechnology: Mystery Science or Small Materials Doing Big Things? - Pre-College Course Catalog"

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Course identity checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Course timetable checked

    • Residential and commuter fees checked

    • Application requirements reviewed

    • Completion outcomes checked

    • Residential support policies reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.