Nov 20 2007
Blast off for inner space. Philadelphia’s Central High became the first high school in the nation to open deep inner space exploration to students with the arrival of a new Phenom™ table top scanning electron microscope. Providing magnification up to 20,000x with 30 nm resolution, the instrument is designed to change how science is taught and attract students to scientific careers. The Phenom is a gift from FEI Company, a leading manufacturer of advanced imaging tools, to the Minority Student Training Program for microscopy at Central High. It will also be used by other science programs at the school.
Apollo astronaut Alan Bean, the fourth man on the moon, dedicates new Phenom microscope to Betty Thompkins, founder of the Minority Student Training Program at Philadelphia's Central High School. The Phenom is a gift from microscope manufacturer FEI Company. Steven Berger, vice president at FEI is also pictured.
Astronaut Alan Bean, the fourth man to walk on the moon and Commander of SkyLab II, was the keynote speaker for students at the unveiling. “Today’s students face endless possibilities with new challenges in outer space, a return to the moon and possible trips to mars and beyond. Now, the exploration of inner space is equally exciting,” commented Bean. “Nanoscale exploration is on the brink of many important discoveries that will potentially result in new materials, advanced medicine and alternative energy sources, to name a few examples. Unique programs like those here at Central High and innovative tools like the Phenom can capture the imagination of students and inspire them to pursue advanced studies in science and technology, helping ensure that we will have the technical talent that the United States needs to remain competitive in the future.”