Nanotechnology Will Be Under the Microscope at Gateway Science Museum’s New Exhibit: ‘Zoom Into Nano’

The scientific world around us offers breathtaking sights, vibrant colors, and unforgettable visuals. But, as the saying goes, there’s more to life than meets the eye.

The Gateway Science Museum will focus on the microscopic world in its fascinating new exhibit, “Zoom into Nano,” a large-scale, immersive exploration of materials at the atomic scale.

The exhibit—which comes from Sciencenter—will be displayed in the museum’s North Gallery and the James W. Cornyn Gallery and run from Sept. 22 through Jan. 6, 2019.

Scientific advances in nanotechnology are likely to change the way we design and fabricate almost everything, from faster computers and stain-repellent clothes to disease-fighting medicines and technologies that are currently beyond our imagination. “Zoom Into Nano” is a hands-on, interactive exhibit that will allow Gateway visitors to view atoms and molecules that are enlarged to 100 million times their actual size, see how scientists create things that are too small for the human eye to see, and detect invisible molecules with their sense of smell.

“This exhibit is packed with so many interesting facts and future goals for science,” said Adrienne McGraw, executive director for the Gateway Science Museum. “By harnessing the power of the nanoscale, researchers are working on cures for cancer, making computers more powerful, and even building an elevator into outer space.”

The Museum Without Walls (MWOW) lecture series will also continue this fall and complement Gateway’s “Zoom Into Nano” exhibit. “Nanoscale Wonders Unseen” will feature presentations by California State University, Chico faculty and will take place every Wednesday in October starting at 7:30 p.m.

Additionally, Gateway will once again offer “Third Thursdays” specials, in which the museum will remain open until 8 p.m. on Sept. 20, Oct. 18, and Nov. 15, so that visitors have more time to engage with the world of nanotechnology.

“In clever ways, the exhibit helps us explore our world at atomic and molecular levels, while having fun,” McGraw said.

The Gateway Science Museum is located at 625 Esplanade. Admissions is $7 for adults, $5 for children and students, and free for museum members. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 530-898-5130 or visit www.csuchico.edu/gateway/.