Ideas for incorporating STEM content into holidays, seasons, annual events, and special programming throughout the year.
Please also visit our Big STEM Celebrations collection of resources arranged by theme rather than date
Ideas for All Seasons
WINTERSnow, Snowflakes, January, and February | SPRINGMarch, April, and May |
SUMMERSun, Sand, Summer Camp, June, July, and August | FALLBack to School, September, October, November, and December |
Jump to Other Special Events and Past Events
2024-2025 Year Long Events
Heliophysics Big Year (October 2023 to December 2024)
Planetarium Centennial (Fall 2023 to May 2025)
- https://planetarium100.org/
The first planetarium projector was unveiled in Germany in October 1923 and the first planetarium opened to the public on May 7, 1925, when the Deutsches Museum opened in Munich.
Celestial Events
Meteor showers, lunar eclipses, full moons, planetary events, and more!
What's up this month
- NASA JPL's What's Up in the night sky monthly video
- NISE Network compilation of asteroid, comet, meteor, and meteorite resources https://www.nisenet.org/asteroids
- NISE Network astronomy resources https://www.nisenet.org/astronomy
Celestial Calendars
- New York Times astronomy events calendar
- http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/sky-at-a-glance/
- https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/
- https://stardate.org/nightsky
- https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/planner.cfm
- https://in-the-sky.org/newscal.php
- http://earthsky.org/tonight
- American Meteor Society https://www.amsmeteors.org/meteor-showers/meteor-shower-calendar/
Solar Eclipse - upcoming visible in North America
- April 8, 2024
- NISE Network Solar Eclipse resources
Lunar Eclipses - upcoming visible in North America
Birthdays
- What did the Hubble Telescope see on your birthday?
https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/what-did-hubble-see-on-your-birthday - Search the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) calendar for your birthday
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html - How did the Moon look on your birthday? Moon phase calculator
https://stardate.org/nightsky/moon
Collections of hands-on activities
- NISE Network hands-on activities https://nisenet.org/browse-topic
- How to Smile collection of activities www.howtosmile.org
- CLEAN Collection of Climate and Energy Educational Resources http://cleanet.org
- Maker Ed https://resources.makered.org
- Engineering is Elementary (EIE) planning guide https://families.eie.org/events
- SciStarter citizen science hub https://scistarter.org
- NASA https://science.nasa.gov/learn/resources
WINTER
Snow and Snowflakes:
- Snowflakes: Nano at its Coolest program
- Ready, Set, Self-Assemble group activity
- Exploring Fabrication - Self-Assembly program
- Water resources and activities https://www.nisenet.org/water
January
National Mentoring Month (January)
- National Mentoring https://www.mentoring.org
- STEM Mentoring resources https://www.mentoring.org/campaigns/stem-mentoring-month/
- NISE Network guide Working with STEM Experts: A Guide for Educators in Museums and Other Informal Learning Settings
- National Girls Collaborative Project role model and mentoring resources https://ngcproject.org/resourc
es/role-model-and-mentoring- resources - SciGirls Role Model Strategies http://www.scigirlsconnect.org/groups/role-models/
- National Academies Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM
New Year's Day (January 1)
- An opportunity to imagine the future as well as reflect on past past science and technology predictions
- NISE Network societal aspects of STEM including future-thinking activities and programs https://www.nisenet.org/society
- Happy New Year cards from NASA https://hubblesite.org/resource-gallery/holiday-cards
National Bird Day (January 5)
- www.nationalbirdday.com
- some bird feathers (such as peacock feathers) are iridescent due to nano-sized structures within the feathers; for more about iridescence check out:
- NISE Network butterfly resources nisenet.org/butterflies
- NISE Network biomimicry resources https://www.nisenet.org/biomimicry
- Exploring Materials - Thin Films
- Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals program
- Butterfly Blues video
- Biomimicry: From Nature to Nanotech program
- explore this website by searching the topic: Life Sciences - Animals
National Static Electricity Day (January 9)
- NISE Network energy resources https://www.nisenet.org/energy
- Exploring Forces - Static Electricity
- Battery Stack activity
- Spark of Life activity
- Electric Squeeze activity
- Exploring Materials - Graphene activity
- more activities about electricity and magnetism
Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January)
- MLK Day of Service - make it a day on not a day off
Create and find volunteer opportunities through matching programs: - Radon Awareness Week (last week in January)
February
Black History Month / African-American History Month (February) - celebrate people in STEM
- www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov
- NASA Modern Figures Toolkit
- African Americans in Science and Technology internet resources from the Library of Congress
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) https://www.nsbe.org
- National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) https://www.nsbe.org
- NASA Museum & Informal Education Alliance resources (log-in required) https://stemgateway.nasa.gov/connects/s/article/Celebrating-Black-History-Month
- Black Lives in Astronomy: A Resource Guide compiled by Andrew Fraknoi
- The Astronomy of Many Cultures: A Resource Guide compiled by Andrew Fraknoi
- Celebrating Black Innovators poster from SPIE the international society for optics and photonics
- HistoryMakers ScienceMakers biographies and oral histories of African American scientists and toolkits of hands-on activities connecting to scientists
- NISE Network Racial Justice Resources
- Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture Talking about Race
https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race - PBS African American Quotation posters
Groundhog Day (February 2)
- Use Exploring Earth: Bear's Shadow activity to make and experiment with shadows
- STEM topics to explore include: signs of spring (animals emerging from hibernation), signs of winter (clear, cold days), and seasons (February 2 lies midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox)
- NASA Space Place seasons resources
National Inventors Day (February 11)
- Inspire and encourage young inventors; February 11 is the birthday of of the inventor Thomas Alva Edison
- National Inventors Hall of Fame list of inductees
- NISE Network engineering resources https://www.nisenet.org/engineering
World Radio Day (February 13)
- https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldradioday
- Making Waves with Radio resources https://nisenet.org/making-waves-radio-kit
- Telescopes and the Electromagnetic Spectrum https://nisenet.org/telescopes
Valentine's Day (February 14)
- NISE Network food activities including chocolate and candy
- Sweet Self-Assembly program
- What's Nano About Chocolate video
- What's Nano About Chocolate sign in Nano Museum Labels (Graphic Signs)
- Gum and Chocolate
- Exploring Fabrication - Gummy Capsules (NanoDays 12, 13) short activity
- Sweet Self-Assembly long activity
- Molecular Gastronomy Mr. O video
- NASA Space Place printable Valentine cards
- NASA Mars digital Valentine cards
Galileo Day (February 15th)
- http://www.galileoday.org/
- NISE Network telescope resources https://nisenet.org/telescopes
- NISE Network astronomy resourceshttps://nisenet.org/astronomy
Engineers Week (Third week in February)
- https://discovere.org/engage/engineers-week/
- NISE Network engineering resources https://www.nisenet.org/engineering
International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11)
- https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day/
- NISE Network compilation of resources for engaging girls and young women in STEM https://nisenet.org/girls
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (During third week in February)
- Discover E Girl Day resources for educators and engineers www.discovere.org/our-programs/girl-day
- NISE Network compilation of resources for engaging girls and young women in STEM https://nisenet.org/girls
- NISE Network engineering resources https://www.nisenet.org/engineering
Digital Learning Day (February 15, 2024)
National Battery Day (February 18)
- Build a Battery hands-on activity
- Battery Stack hands-on activity
- NISE Network energy resources https://www.nisenet.org/energy
Great Backyard Bird Count (mid-February)
- https://www.birdcount.org
- some bird feathers (such as peacock feathers) are iridescent due to nano-sized structures within the feathers; for more about iridescence check out:
- NISE Network butterfly resources https://www.nisenet.org/butterlfies
- NISE Network biomimicry resources https://www.nisenet.org/biomimicry
- Exploring Materials - Thin Films
- Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals program
- Butterfly Blues video
- Biomimicry: From Nature to Nanotech program
- explore this website by searching the topic: Life Sciences - Animals
Leap Day (February 29) (every four years)
- Leap Day math activity from NASA JPL
SPRING
March
Women's History Month (March) - celebrate people in STEM
International Women's Day (March 8)
- National Women's History Project http://www.nwhp.org
- Women's History Month https://womenshistorymonth.gov/
- International Women's Day (March 8) https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
- UNESCO https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/womenday
- NISE Network compilation of resources for engaging girls and young women in STEM https://nisenet.org/girls
Severe Weather Awareness Weeks (March, dates vary by state)
Severe weather may include flood, fire, lightning, hurricane, tornados, tsunami, earthquake, heat, and cold
- Please note that dates of awareness weeks vary by state:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/events_calendar - https://www.weather.gov/dvn/Awareness_Weeks
- Climate resiliency and extreme weather forum programs about heat waves, sea level rise, extreme precipitation, and drought https://www.nisenet.org/CSCRC
- NISE Network climate change and weather resources https://www.nisenet.org/climatechange
World Futures Day - Young Voices (March 1)
- https://www.teachthefuture.org/young-voices-network/world-futures-day-2024
- NISE Network futures activities and forum programs https://www.nisenet.org/society
Dr. Seuss Day (March 2)
- Seussville reading resources
- Exploring Materials - Oobleck activity
Oobleck gets its name from the Dr. Seuss book Bartholomew and the Oobleck where a gooey green substance, Oobleck, fell from the sky and wreaked havoc in the kingdom - Horton Hears a Who! Storytime
- Horton Senses Something Small
- NISE Network books, reading, and storytelling https://www.nisenet.org/books
World Wildlife Day (March 3)
- https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-wildlife-day
- http://www.wildlifeday.org
- NISE Network butterfly resources nisenet.org/butterflies
- NISE Network biomimicry resources https://www.nisenet.org/biomimicry
- Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals program
- Butterfly Blues video
- Biomimicry: From Nature to Nanotech program
World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (March 4)
- UNESCO https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/engineering
- NISE Network sustainability resources https://www.nisenet.org/sustainability-resources
- NISE Network engineering resources https://www.nisenet.org/engineering
Groundwater Awareness Week (second full week in March)
- Groundwater Awareness Week https://www.ngwa.org/get-involved/groundwater-awareness-week
- Groundwater Foundation https://www.groundwater.org
- NISE Network water resources https://www.nisenet.org/water
- Cleaning Our Water with Nanotechnology program
- What’s Nano About Water?
- PBS DragonflyTV - Water Clean Up video
- NISE Network climate change resource https://www.nisenet.org/climatechange
- explore this website by searching the topic: Earth and Space Science - Water and Ocean
Brain Awareness Week (mid-March)
- Brain Awareness resources from the Society for Neuroscience https://www.sfn.org/outreach/brain-awareness-campaign
- Brain Awareness Week resources from the Dana Foundation https://dana.org/brain-awareness-week/
- World Federation of Neurology Brain Day https://www.wfneurology.org/world-brain-day-background
- NISE Network brain and neuroscience resources https://www.nisenet.org/neuro
- What Makes Us Human
- Neuro Futures Card Game
- Neuro Futures Championship Game
- Stand Up Sit Down Icebreaker - Professional development training tool to prepare scientific audiences to talk about public engagement around now & near-future brain research and technologies
- Step into the Shoes of Stakeholders training guide and materials - Professional development training tool to prepare scientific audiences to talk about public engagement around now & near-future brain research and technologies
- NISE Network Changing Brains professional audiences resources
Pi Day (March 14)
International Day of Mathematics (March 14)
- Celebrate math! there are one billion nanometers in a meter
- UNESCO: International Day of Mathematics https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/mathematics
- NISE Network Size, Scale, & Measurement resources https://www.nisenet.org/size
- https://www.piday.org/
- NASA: Pi Day posters
- NASA Pi Day 2024: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/events/2024/3/7/celebrate-pi-day-with-nasa/
- NASA resources: 10 ways to Celebrate Pi Day
- NASA:18 Ways NASA Uses Pi
- Howtosmile.org Pi activities https://www.howtosmile.org/resource-search/pi
National Learn about Butterflies Day (March 14)
- NISE Network butterfly resources nisenet.org/butterflies
- NISE Network biomimicry resources https://www.nisenet.org/biomimicry
- Zoom into a Blue Morpho Butterfly video
- Butterfly Blues video
- Exploring Structures - Butterfly (NanoDays 2012) short activity
- Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals long activity
- Zoom Into a Butterfly Wing poster
- What's nano about butterflies Nano museum labels (graphic signs)
- Scientific Image - Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing (reflected light)
- Scientific Image - Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing (non-reflected light)
- Scientific Image - Blue Morpho Butterfly
- Scientific Image- Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing Ridges
- Scientific Image - Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing Microribs
- Scientific Image - Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing Scales
- Scientific Image - Photonic Crystal
- Powers of Ten with the Blue Morpho Butterfly (Middle and High School curriculum lesson)
- NISE Network compilation of light activities and resources
- explore this website by searching the topic: Life Sciences - Animals
National Ag Day (mid-March)
Earth Hour (mid-March)
- www.earthhour.org
- NISE Network Earth Day resources www.nisenet.org/earthday
- NISE Network climate change resources https://www.nisenet.org/climatechange
- NISE Network water resources https://www.nisenet.org/water
- NISE Network energy resources https://www.nisenet.org/energy
- NISE Network sustainability resources https://www.nisenet.org/sustainability-resources
Spring Equinox (March 19 or 20 in the Northern Hemisphere)
- Solstices and equinoxes provide opportunities for planning quarterly programs related to the Earth, Sun, and Moon (astronomical seasons) or your local environment (meteorological seasons)
- NISE Network Moon resources https://www.nisenet.org/moon
- NASA Space Place seasons resources
World Water Day (March 22)
- www.worldwaterday.org
- UNESCO https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/waterday
- NISE Network climate change resources https://www.nisenet.org/climatechange
- NISE Network water resources https://www.nisenet.org/water
- Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry activity - Cleaning Oil Spills with Chemistry (longer program)
- Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry activity - What’s in the Water (longer program)
- Cleaning Our Water with Nanotechnology program
- What’s Nano About Water?
- Oil Spill Clean Up Simulation activity
- PBS DragonflyTV - Water Clean Up video
World Meteorology Day (March 23)
- World Meteorological Organization https://public.wmo.int/en/resources/world-meteorological-day
- NASA Climate Kids https://climatekids.nasa.gov/menu/weather-and-climate/
- NASA Meteorology: An Educator's Resource for Inquiry-Based Learning for Grades 5-9
- NOAA SciJinks How to read a Weather Map https://scijinks.gov/weather-map/
- NISE Network climate change and weather resources https://www.nisenet.org/climatechange
NanoDays (last weekend in March - first weekend in April)
- 2024: March 30-April 7
- 2025: March 29-April 6
- 2026: March 28-April 5
- NanoDays activities and resources www.nisenet.org/nanodays
- NISE Network Size, Scale, & Measurement resources https://www.nisenet.org/size
- explore this website by searching the topic Engineering and Technology - Nanotechnology
April
Citizen Science Month (April)
- http://citizensciencemonth.org
- NISE Network citizen science and community science resources https://www.nisenet.org/citizenscience
National Kite Month (April)
- https://www.kite.org/events/national-kite-month/
- NASA kite activities https://www.nasa.gov/stem-content/kites
- How NASA uses kites https://www.globe.gov/web/aren-project/overview/aerokats/nasa-and-kites
- NASA GLOBE AREN program https://www.globe.gov/web/aren-project/overview/aeropods
National Poetry Month (April)
- www.poets.org/npm
- UNESCO World Poetry Day (March 21) https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldpoetryday
- nano-themed haiku at the end of each NISE Network NanoBiteNewsletter (2009-2013)
Global Astronomy Month (April)
Astronomy Day (Spring) (held in April or May)
Astronomy Week (Spring) (held in April or May)
- Global Astronomy Day Month http://astronomerswithoutborders.org
- NISE Network astronomy resources https://www.nisenet.org/astronomy
- Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkits activities
- Exploring Nano & Society - Space Elevator (NanoDays 2013) short activity
- Aerogel short activity
- Exploring Nano & Society - Flying Cars short activity
- Flying Cars theater program
- Exploring Size - Memory Game (NanoDays 2011 and 2012) short activity
- Exploring Size - Powers of Ten Game (NanoDays 2011, 2012, and 2014) short activity
- Exploring Size - StretchAbility (NanoDays 2010) short activity
- Scale of the Universe Zoom
- Is That Robot Real? children's book and poster
- explore this website by searching the topic Earth and Space Science
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month (April)
- NISE Network Size, Scale, & Measurement resources https://www.nisenet.org/size
- National Math Festival https://www.nationalmathfestival.org
National Arab American Heritage Month (April) celebrate people in STEM
- National Arab American Heritage Month https://arabamericafoundation.org/national-arab-american-heritage-month/
- Arab American Foundation resources https://www.arabamerica.com/resources/
- Arab American National Museum https://arabamericanmuseum.org
- Smithsonian Arab American History and Culture https://www.si.edu/spotlight/arab-american
- PBS resources https://www.pbs.org/articles/celebrate-arab-american-heritage-month
- The Astronomy of Many Cultures: A Resource Guide compiled by Andrew Fraknoi including Islamic astronomy
National Public Health Week (first week in April) / World Health Day (April 7)
- World Health Day and WHO World Health Day
- National Public Health Week https://nphw.org
- NISE Network health and medicine resources https://www.nisenet.org/health
- NISE Network genetics resources https://www.nisenet.org/genetics
- NISE Network water resources https://www.nisenet.org/water
- Intro to Nanomedicine video
- Exploring Products - Sunblock activity
- Nanotech and Consumer Products
- Should We Engineer the Mosquito forum
- GLOBE Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper App https://observer.globe.gov/about/get-the-app
- GLOBE Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper toolkit https://observer.globe.gov/toolkit/mosquito-habitat-mapper-toolkit
- GLOBE Observer Mission Mosquito Larvae Hunters Guide https://www.globe.gov/web/mission-mosquito/overview/resources
- Nanomedicine in Healthcare forum
- Nanomedicine Explorer exhibit and software
- Cleaning Our Water with Nanotechnology program
- explore this website by searching for topic Life Sciences - Health and Medicine
International Dark Sky Week (first week of April)
- https://idsw.darksky.org
- NISE Network astronomy resources https://www.nisenet.org/astronomy
Worldwide Climate Justice Education Week (first week of April)
- https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/climate_education_week
- NISE Network climate change resources https://www.nisenet.org/climatechange
Star Trek First Contact Day (April 5)
In the Star Trek Universe humans make first contact with an alien species on April 5, 2063.
- https://nationaltoday.com/first-contact-day/
- NISE Network Science Fiction, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Superheroes resources
https://www.nisenet.org/sciencefiction - NASA Museum Informal Education Alliance list of resources (login required)
https://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/museum/content/star-trek-and-nasa
Solar Eclipse (April 8, 2024)
Find Your Place in Space Week (April 6-13, 2024)
Yuri's Night (April 12)
- https://yurisnight.net
- NISE Network Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkits https://www.nisenet.org/earthspacekit
- NISE Network astronomy resources https://www.nisenet.org/astronomy
National Robotics Week / RoboWeek (second week in April)
- www.nationalroboticsweek.org
- Shrinking Robots! program
- Is That Robot Real book and graphics
- Robots and People program
- What Makes Us Human? activity
- NISE Network engineering and robotics resources https://www.nisenet.org/engineering
World Quantum Day (April 14)
- https://worldquantumday.org
- NISE Network quantum resources
- The Future of Computing stage presentation
- Making Molecular Movies with QSTORM stage presentation
- Quantum Atlas explains quantum physics and features many animations and videos
https://quantumatlas.umd.edu - Quarked has lessons and games in the subatomic universe http://www.quarked.org
- NISE Network Size, Scale, & Measurement resources https://www.nisenet.org/size
- Scientific Image - Quantum Corral (side view) using a Scanning Tunneling Microscope
- Scientific Image - Quantum Corral (top view) using a Scanning Tunneling Microscope
World Art Day (April 15)
- UNESCO https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-art
- NISE Network STEAM activities https://www.nisenet.org/steam
- Watch and Create! Creativity For Sustainability activity
- Exploring the Universe: Nebula Spin Art activity
- Chemistry is Colorful activity
- Nature of Dye activity
- Exploring Materials - Thin Films activity
- explore this website by searching the topic: Art, Music, and Literature
Earth Day (April 22)
National Environmental Education Week (week of Earth Day)
- Earth Day http://www.earthday.org
- National Environmental Education Week https://www.neefusa.org/education/eeweek
- NISE Network Earth Day resources www.nisenet.org/earthday
- NISE Network climate change resources https://www.nisenet.org/climatechange
- NISE Network water resources https://www.nisenet.org/water
- NISE Network energy resources https://www.nisenet.org/energy
- Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW)
- Tiny Solutions to Our Big Energy Problem stage presentation
- Energy Challenges, Nanotech Solutions forum
- Cleaning Our Water with Nanotechnology program
- PBS Water Clean Up DragonflyTV episode
- PBS Nanosilver DragonflyTV episode
- Nanosilver: Breakthrough or Biohazard? stage presentation
- Does Every Silver Lining Have a Cloud video
- Oil Spill Clean Up Simulation activity
- NISE Network sustainability resources https://www.nisenet.org/sustainability-resources
- SustainABLE kit activities
- Sustainable Futures collection of public programs
- Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry activity - Cleaning Oil Spills with Chemistry (longer program)
- Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry activity - What’s in the Water (longer program)
- Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkit activities
- NASA Earth Day resources
- GLOBE Observer citizen science (clouds, mosquito habitat mapper, land cover, trees) https://observer.globe.gov
Take Your Child To Work Day / Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day (fourth Thursday in April)
DNA Day (April 25)
- National DNA Day https://www.genome.gov/dnaday/
- NISE Network health and medicine resources https://www.nisenet.org/health
- NISE Network genetics resources https://www.nisenet.org/genetics
- DNA Nanotechnology hands-on activity
- Exploring Structures - DNA (NanoDays 2012) hands-on activity
- Building with Biology Kit activities
- explore this website by searching the topic life sciences
Arbor Day (last Friday in April, dates vary by state)
- Dates may vary by state https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/dates.cfm
- https://www.arborday.org
May
Astronomy Day (Spring) (held in April or May) - please see April for details
Astronomy Week (Spring) (held in April or May) - please see April for details
Asian American and Pacific Islander Month (May) - celebrate people in STEM
- https://asianpacificheritage.gov
- Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center https://smithsonianapa.org
- PBS AAPI History Spotlight: Saluting STEM Pioneers
- Posters and videos that illustrate specific examples of STEAM within traditional Pacific island culture and practices
https://pasifika.tki.org.nz/Resources/Pacific-STEAM - The Astronomy of Many Cultures: A Resource Guide compiled by Andrew Fraknoi
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month (May)
- https://healthfinder.gov/nho/MayToolkit.aspx
- Action for Healthy Kids https://www.actionforhealthykids.org
Black Hole Week (April - May) (May 6-10, 2024)
- Black Hole Week https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/black-hole-week
- Black Hole Week promotional assets https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/bhw/
- What are Black Holes? https://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/starsgalaxies/black_hole_description.html
National Bike Month / Bike to Work Week (mid-May)
- https://www.bikeleague.org/content/bike-month-dates-events-0 (May)
- Walk & Roll to School resources http://www.walkbiketoschool.org
May the Fourth Be With You - Star Wars Day (May 4)
- NISE Network Science Fiction, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Superheroes resources
- Star Wars Day https://www.starwars.com/star-wars-day
- NASA and Star Wars connections
- NASA Museum Informal Education Alliance list of resources (login required)
https://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/museum/content/star-wars - NASA and Star Trek list of resources (login required)
https://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/museum/content/star-trek-and-nasa - May the Fourth event example in 2019 online workshop (at 30 minute point of recording)
http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/online-workshop-earth-space-science-early-learners-recorded
Air Quality Awareness Week (first week of May)
- https://www.epa.gov/air-quality/air-quality-awareness-week
- NISE Network air quality resources https://www.nisenet.org/air
National Children’s Book Week (early May)
- Children's Book Week http://everychildareader.net/cbw/
- NISE Network books, reading, and storytelling resources https://www.nisenet.org/books
- Shrinking Robots! book (for free download or to order)
- How Small is Nano? book (for free download or to order)
- Alice in NanoLand book (for free download or to order)
International Day of Planetariums (May 7)
The first planetarium projector was unveiled in Germany in October 1923 and the first planetarium opened to the public on May 7, 1925, when the Deutsches Museum opened in Munich.
- https://www.ips-planetarium.org/page/AboutIDP
- https://planetarium100.org/centennial-projects/planetarium-day/
- Centennial of the Planetarium 2023-25 https://planetarium100.org/
International Day of Light (May 16)
- UNESCO:The International Day of Light celebrates the role light plays in science, culture and art, education, and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications, and energy https://www.unesco.org/en/days/light
- NISE Network light activities and resources
National Public Works Week (mid-May)
- American Public Works Association resources https://www.apwa.org/events/national-public-works-week-npww/
- NISE Network engineering resources https://www.nisenet.org/engineering
- NISE Network sustainability resources https://www.nisenet.org/sustainability-resources
- NISE Network climate resiliency and extreme weather forum programs https://www.nisenet.org/CSCRC
International Museum Day (May 18)
- International Council of Museums https://icom.museum/en/international-museum-day-2/
- Search for a NISE Network partner museum and other informal science education partner near you http://nisenet.org/partners
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) (May 18, 2023, May 16, 2024)
The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access/inclusion and people with different disabilities.
- https://globalaccessibilityawarenessday.org/
- NISE Network inclusive audience and universal design resources https://www.nisenet.org/audiences
- NISE Network blind and low-vision resources https://www.nisenet.org/blind-low-vision
Endangered Species Day (third Friday in May)
National Paper Airplane Day (May 26)
- NASA make a paper airplane activity
https://www.nasa.gov/stem-ed-resources/make-and-color-a-paper-airplane.html - NASA ring wing glider activity
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/ring-wing-glider/ - Exploring the Solar System: Stomp Rockets
https://www.nisenet.org/catalog/exploring-solar-system-stomp-rockets
SUMMER
Summer Reading
- NISE Network books, reading, and storytelling resources https://www.nisenet.org/books
- NISE Network books:
- Alice in NanoLand book (Downloadable PDF)
- How Small Is Nano? Book and Poster (Downloadable PDF)
- Is That Robot Real? children's book and poster
- Horton Hears a Who! Storytime book activity
- Exploring Earth: Bear’s Shadow book activity
- Exploring Materials - Oobleck can connect to Bartholomew and the Oobleck
- Summer Reading Themes https://www.cslpreads.org
- Summer reading strategies https://libguides.ala.org/summer-reading/resources
Sun and Sand
- Exploring Properties - Heat Transfer activity
- Exploring Earth: Temperature Mapping activity
- Nano Ice Cream activity
- Exploring Products - Nano Sand activity
- Exploring Products - Kinetic Sand activity
- Magic Sand/Nanosurfaces activity
- Exploring Products - Sunblock program
- fun outdoor group activity Ready, Set, Self-Assemble group program
- Why are Seashells so Strong? program
- Nano Ice Cream activity
Summer Camp
- Camp resources
- Nanotechnology Summer Camp (Ages 8 - 10) framework
- High School Nanotechnology Summer Camp framework
- After School Nanoscale Science framework
- Explore Science Zoom into Nano modules and videos
June
Pride Month (June) - celebrate people in STEM
- Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) https://ostem.org/
- Out to Innovate™ https://www.noglstp.org
- Pride in STEM Day http://prideinstem.org/lgbtstemday/
- LGBTQ+ STEM https://lgbtstem.wordpress.com
Lightning Safety Awareness Week (June)
- Please note that dates of awareness weeks vary by state:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/events_calendar - https://www.weather.gov/dvn/Awareness_Weeks
National Dairy Month (June)
- https://www.idfa.org/june-is-national-dairy-month
- https://thedairyalliance.com/dairy-farming/june-dairy-month/
- Nano Ice Cream activity
International Nature Journaling Week (first week in June)
- https://www.naturejournalingweek.com
- Free video series from John Muir Laws and Children's Creativity Museum
https://creativity.org/nature-journal-connection/ - John Muir Laws How to Teach Nature Journaling
https://johnmuirlaws.com/product/how-to-teach-nature-journaling/ - More writing and nature journaling resources https://nisenet.org/books
World Environment Day (June 5)
- United Nations World Environment Day https://www.un.org/en/events/environmentday/
- UNESCO https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/environmentday
- https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/
- NISE Network climate change resources https://www.nisenet.org/climatechange
- NISE Network sustainability resources https://www.nisenet.org/sustainability-resources
- NISE Network Earth Day resources https://www.nisenet.org/earthday
World Oceans Day (June 8)
- http://www.worldoceansday.org
- UNESCO https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/oceansday
- NISE Network water and ocean resources https://www.nisenet.org/water
- NOAA Ocean and Climate Literacy Resources https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/literacy.html
- NOAA Ocean Literacy Guide
- NOAA Handbook for Increasing Ocean Literacy
Juneteenth (June 19) - celebrate people in STEM
- https://www.juneteenth.com
- Racial Justice resources
- Please see Black History Month (February) for additional resources
Summer Solstice (June 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere)
- Solstices and equinoxes provide opportunities for planning quarterly programs related to the Earth, Sun, and Moon (astronomical seasons) or your local environment (meteorological seasons)
- Moon resources https://www.nisenet.org/moon
- NASA Space Place seasons resources
National Week of Making (June 17-23)
- Instructables https://www.instructables.com
- Maker Ed https://makered.org
- Nation of Makers https://www.nationofmakers.us
- NISE Network Frankenstein200 kit of activities https://www.nisenet.org/frankensteinkit
- NISE Network engineering resources https://www.nisenet.org/engineering
- NISE Network STEAM activities https://www.nisenet.org/steam
International Women in Engineering Day (June 23)
- http://www.inwed.org.uk/
- NISE Network compilation of resources for engaging girls and young women in STEM https://nisenet.org/girls
- NISE Network engineering resources https://www.nisenet.org/engineering
National Mosquito Control Awareness Week - Fight the Bite (last full week in June)
- National Mosquito Control Awareness Week resources from American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA)
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) World Health Organization (WHO) resources https://missionmosquito.carpha.org/
- Should We Engineer the Mosquito? forum
- GLOBE Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper App https://observer.globe.gov/about/get-the-app
- GLOBE Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper toolkit https://observer.globe.gov/toolkit/mosquito-habitat-mapper-toolkit
- GLOBE Observer Mission Mosquito Larvae Hunters Guide https://www.globe.gov/web/mission-mosquito/overview/resources
- NISE Network health and medicine resources https://www.nisenet.org/health
- NISE Network genetics resources https://www.nisenet.org/genetics
Tau Day (June 28)
- Related to Pi Day (March 14) Tau is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its RADIUS, approximately 6.28, or 2 times Pi.
Asteroid Day (June 30)
- https://asteroidday.org/
- UN Asteroid Day
- NISE Network compilation of asteroid, comet, meteor, and meteorite resources https://www.nisenet.org/asteroids
- NASA Space Place https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/asteroid
- Exploring the Solar System: Asteroid Mining activity
July
Plastic Free July (July)
- https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/resources/
- NISE Network Sustainability resources https://nisenet.org/sustainability-resources
Moon Landing - anniversary of Apollo 11 first step on the Moon July 20, 1969 (July 20)
- Moon resources and activities https://www.nisenet.org/moon
- Moon Adventure Game https://www.nisenet.org/moongame
- NASA Apollo 11 Moonwalk Montage
- NASA logos for 50th anniversary in 2019
- NASA Apollo 11 resources
- NASA Moon resources
- NASA moon
- NASA Museum & Informal Education Alliance list of many more resources - login required
- explore this website by searching the topic Earth and Space Science - Earth, Moon and Sun
National Ice Cream Day (July 18)
- Nano Ice Cream activity
World Brain Day (July 22)
- World Federation of Neurology Brain Day
- Brain Awareness resources from the Society for Neuroscience
- Brain Awareness Week resources from the Dana Foundation
- NISE Network brain and neuroscience resources https://www.nisenet.org/neuro
- What Makes Us Human
- Neuro Futures Card Game
- Neuro Futures Championship Game
- Stand Up Sit Down Icebreaker - Professional development training tool to prepare scientific audiences to talk about public engagement around now & near-future brain research and technologies
- Step into the Shoes of Stakeholders training guide and materials - Professional development training tool to prepare scientific audiences to talk about public engagement around now & near-future brain research and technologies
- NISE Network Changing Brains professional audiences resources
August
Perseid Meteor Shower (August)
- The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower as they peak on warm August nights as seen from the northern hemisphere
- NISE Network Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, and Meteorites resources https://www.nisenet.org/asteroids
National Immunization Awareness Month (August)
- CDC National Immunization Awareness Month resources https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/
- NISE Network Vaccine Museum Resources
https://www.nisenet.org/vaccine
National Sand Castle Day (first Saturday of August)
- Exploring Products - Nano Sand activity
- Exploring Products - Kinetic Sand activity
- Magic Sand/Nanosurfaces activity
National Aviation Day (August 19)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Aviation_Day
- NASA suggestions for National Aviation Day
- Exploring the Solar System: Stomp Rockets
- Exploring Nano & Society - Flying Cars
World Mosquito Day (August 20)
- National Mosquito Control Awareness Week resources from American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA)
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) World Health Organization (WHO) resources https://missionmosquito.carpha.org/
- NISE Network Should We Engineer the Mosquito? Forum
- NISE Network health and medicine resources https://www.nisenet.org/health
- NISE Network genetics resources https://www.nisenet.org/genetics
- Globe Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper App https://observer.globe.gov/about/get-the-app
- Globe Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper toolkit https://observer.globe.gov/toolkit/mosquito-habitat-mapper-toolkit
- GLOBE Observer Mission Mosquito Larvae Hunters Guide https://www.globe.gov/web/mission-mosquito/overview/resources
Frankenstein Day (August 30)
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born on August 30, 1797; she wrote the novel Frankenstein in 1816, and published it in 1818
- Frankenstein200 kit of activities
FALL
Back to School
- Back to School resources related to pencils, graphite
- NISE Network carbon resources (graphite, diamond, carbon nanotubes) https://nisenet.org/carbon
- Exploring Materials - Graphene activity
- Forms of Carbon activity
- Nobel Winning Experiment Mr. O video
- Zoom into a Pencil Line of Graphene with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) - Illustration
- Material Marvels with Ainissa Ramirez video - Graphene
- School programs
- collaboration with K-12 class on Nanoparticle Stained Glass project
- Theater High School Program videos
- After School Framework
September
Read a New Book Month (September)
- https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/read-a-new-book-month/
- NISE Network books, reading, and storytelling resources https://www.nisenet.org/books
- Breakfast Moon picture book
- Frankenstein and its connection to Frankenstein200 kit
- Alice in NanoLand
- NISE Network selected books about nano
National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15- October 15) - celebrate people in STEM
- https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov
- SACNAS – Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science https://www.sacnas.org
- National Park Service resources https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/hispanic-heritage-month.htm
- NASA resources https://www.nasa.gov/subject/16278/hispanic-heritage-month/
- The Astronomy of Many Cultures: A Resource Guide compiled by Andrew Fraknoi
- Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources
- Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/bilingual-materials
- Learn more about Indigenous ways of knowing and making local connections in the NISE Network guide Working with STEM Experts: A Guide for Educators in Museums and Other Informal Learning Settings
- NISE Network Spanish Language Translations and Bilingual resources https://www.nisenet.org/spanish
International Microorganism Day (September 17)
- https://www.internationalmicroorganismday.org
- Building with Biology Kit activities
- NISE Network health and medicine resources https://www.nisenet.org/health
- NISE Network genetics resources https://www.nisenet.org/genetics
National Pollution Prevention Week (P2 Week) (third week in September)
- https://www.epa.gov/p2week
- NISE Network water resources https://www.nisenet.org/water
International Coastal Cleanup Day (third Saturday in September)
World Cleanup Day (mid-September)
- https://www.worldcleanupday.org
- NISE Network water resources https://www.nisenet.org/water
- Cleaning Oil Spills with Chemistry long activity
- What’s in the Water long activity
- Cleaning Our Water with Nanotechnology stage program
- What’s Nano About Water? video
- Oil Spill Clean Up Simulation activity
- PBS DragonflyTV - Water Clean Up video
Fall Equinox (September 22 or 23 in the Northern Hemisphere)
- Solstices and equinoxes provide opportunities for planning quarterly programs related to the Earth, Sun, and Moon (astronomical seasons) or your local environment (meteorological seasons)
- Moon resources https://www.nisenet.org/moon
- NASA Space Place seasons resources
International Day of Scientific Culture / Día Internacional de la Cultura Científica (September 28)
- https://somedicyt.org.mx/divulgacion/dicc/idsc
- #DíaCulturaCientífica, #ScienceCulturaDay, #DICC2023 or #IDSC2023
Astronomy Week (Fall) (9/18-24/2023; 10/7-13/2024; 9/22-28/2025)
- NISE Network astronomy resources https://www.nisenet.org/astronomy
- Explore Science: Earth and Space toolkits
Worldwide Day of Play (September 30, 2023)
October
International Observe the Moon Night (date selected in September/October based on viewing ) (October 21, 2023; September 14, 2024; October 4, 2025; October 17, 2026)
- https://moon.nasa.gov/observe
- https://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/
- #ObserveTheMoon
- Moon resources and activities https://www.nisenet.org/moon
- Moon Adventure Game https://www.nisenet.org/moongame
- explore this website by searching the topic Earth and Space Science - Earth, Moon and Sun
Campus Sustainability Month (October)
- http://www.aashe.org/campus-sustainability-month/
- NISE Network sustainability resources https://www.nisenet.org/sustainability-resources
- Sustainable Futures public engagement programs and professional resources
Walk Bike & Roll to School (early October) (October 4, 2023)
World Space Week (October 4-10)
- http://www.worldspaceweek.org
- Explore Science: Earth and Space toolkits
- NISENetwork astronomy resources https://www.nisenet.org/astronomy
Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) (first Friday in October)
- https://creatorswanted.org/mfgday/
- https://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/students/manufacturing-day/
- https://www.facebook.com/MfgDay/
- NISE Network engineering resources https://www.nisenet.org/engineering
National Nano Day (October 9)
National Nanotechnology Day (#NationalNanoDay) is an annual celebration and pays homage to the nanometer scale, 10–9 meters.
- https://www.nano.gov/nationalnanoday
- NanoDays hands-on activities and resources www.nisenet.org/nanodays
- Twenty Years of Nanotechnology
Metric Day (October)
- NISE Network Size, Scale, & Measurement resources https://www.nisenet.org/size
- How Small is Nano? book and poster
- How Small is Nano? video
- Scale Ladder Diagrams
- Sizing Things Down
- Exploring Size - Measure Yourself
- Exploring Size - Powers of Ten card game
Indigenous Peoples' Day (Second Monday in October) - celebrate people in STEM
- Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures.
- Native American Heritage Month / American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month (November) https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov
- NASA Native American Heritage Month https://www.nasa.gov/native-american-heritage-month/
- NISE Network books, reading, and storytelling resources section on Night Sky Storytelling resources https://www.nisenet.org/books
- NASA's Universe of Learning Native American Sky resources
https://universe-of-learning.org/contents/events/science-briefings/science-briefing-the-native-american-sky - Cosmic Serpent - Bridging Native Ways of Knowing and Western Science in Museum Settings
https://www.informalscience.org/sites/default/files/CS-LegacyDoc27Nov2012.pdf - Native Sky Watchers - Two Eyed Seeing – NASA & Indigenous Astronomy – For the Benefit of All
https://www.nativeskywatchers.com/two-eyed-seeing-nasa.html - The Astronomy of Many Cultures: A Resource Guide compiled by Andrew Fraknoi
- Audio stories about the Moon from Lunar Planetary Institute (LPI)
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/marvelMoon/tales/ - Moon myths from around the world - Night Sky Network and Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP)
https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=642
Downloadable handout https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/docs/MoonStoriesASP2019.pdf
Create your own Moon story handout https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/docs/CreateMoonStory.pdf - Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian Star Stories:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS6nSmuURFJBLIE-4ulPJMYxOV4Zpj1WZ - Indigenous Education Institute (IEI):
http://indigenouseducation.org - Learn more about Indigenous ways of knowing and making local connections in the NISE Network guide Working with STEM Experts: A Guide for Educators in Museums and Other Informal Learning Settings
- Professional Societies:
- SACNAS – Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science https://www.sacnas.org
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) https://www.aises.org/
International Day of the Girl Child (October 11)
- UN resources https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day
- NISE Network compilation of resources for engaging girls and young women in STEM https://nisenet.org/girls
Artificial Intelligence (AI) - World AI Week (2nd week in October)
- https://worldaiweek.ai
- NISE Network engineering and robotics resources https://www.nisenet.org/engineering
- NISE Network computer science resources https://www.nisenet.org/computerscience
- What Makes Us Human activity https://www.nisenet.org/catalog/what-makes-us-human
Earth Science Week (second full week in October)
- www.earthsciweek.org
- Explore Science: Earth and Space toolkits
- NISE Network climate change resources https://www.nisenet.org/climatechange
- NISE Network water resources https://www.nisenet.org/water
- NISE Network energy resources https://www.nisenet.org/energy
- NISE Network sustainability resources https://www.nisenet.org/sustainability-resources
- Sustainable Futures public engagement programs and professional resources
- SustainABLE kit activities
- Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry activity - Cleaning Oil Spills with Chemistry (longer program)
- Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry activity - What’s in the Water (longer program)
- Energy Challenges, Nanotech Solutions forum
- Cleaning Our Water with Nanotechnology program
- Water Clean Up DragonflyTV episode
- Nanosilver DragonflyTV episode
- Nanosilver: Breakthrough or Biohazard? stage presentation
- Does Every Silver Lining Have a Cloud video
- Tiny Solutions to Our Big Energy Problem stage presentation
- Oil Spill Clean Up Simulation activity
- educational products on nisenet.org topics related to water
- explore this website by searching the topic Earth and space Science
Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills (third Thursday in October)
- https://www.shakeout.org
- FAQs https://www.shakeout.org/faq/index.html
- Promotional and educational materials https://www.shakeout.org/resources/
National Chemistry Week (third full week in October)
Mole Day (October 23) commemorates Avogadro's Number (6.02 x 1023), which is a measuring unit in chemistry.
- American Chemical Society's National Chemistry Week
- NISE Network National Chemistry Week resources www.nisenet.org/national-chemistry-week
- Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry kit
Imagine a Day Without Water (mid-October)
- http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org
- NISE Network climate change resources https://www.nisenet.org/climatechange
- NISE Network water resources https://www.nisenet.org/water
International Archeology Day (third Saturday in October)
Nuclear Science Week (NSW) (third week in October)
- www.nuclearscienceweek.org
- NISE Network energy resources https://www.nisenet.org/energy
- Size, scale, and measurement activities https://www.nisenet.org/size
World Origami Days (October 24 - November 11)
- October 24 is the birthday of Lillian Oppenheimer (1898-1992), who founded the first origami group in America; November 11 is Origami Day in Japan where the paper crane has become a symbol of peace
- https://origamiusa.org/wod
- NISE Network activity Exploring the Universe: Pack a Space Telescope
- NISE Network activity Nano Future Tellers
- NASA activity Space Origami: Make Your Own Starshade
Dark Matter Day (on or around October 31)
Halloween (October 31)
- Halloween resources https://www.nisenet.org/halloween
- Science Fiction, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Superheroes resources https://www.nisenet.org/sciencefiction
- Frankenstein 200 kit activities - celebrating the anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley's novel https://www.nisenet.org/frankensteinkit
- NISE Network food activities including chocolate and candy
- Chemistry activities - see National Chemistry Week resources
- Chemistry activities see Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry kit activities including dry ice sublimation activity
- Nano Dreams and Nano Nightmares puppetry play
- Attack of the nanoscientist stage presentation
- Intro to Nano video for costume ideas
- What’s Nano About Chocolate? video
- Exploring Fabrication - Gummy Capsules (NanoDays 12, 13) short activity
- Sweet Self-Assembly long activity
- Ideas for activities, costumes, and pumpkins from the American Chemical Society (ACS) for Halloween chemistry
November
Native American Heritage Month / American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month (November) - celebrate people in STEM
- https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov
- NASA Native American Heritage Month https://www.nasa.gov/native-american-heritage-month/
- NASA's Universe of Learning Native American Sky resources
https://universe-of-learning.org/contents/events/science-briefings/science-briefing-the-native-american-sky - Cosmic Serpent - Bridging Native Ways of Knowing and Western Science in Museum Settings
https://www.informalscience.org/sites/default/files/CS-LegacyDoc27Nov2012.pdf - Native Sky Watchers - Two Eyed Seeing – NASA & Indigenous Astronomy – For the Benefit of All
https://www.nativeskywatchers.com/two-eyed-seeing-nasa.html - The Astronomy of Many Cultures: A Resource Guide compiled by Andrew Fraknoi
- Audio stories about the Moon from Lunar Planetary Institute (LPI)
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/marvelMoon/tales/ - Moon myths from around the world - Night Sky Network and Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP)
https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=642
Downloadable handout https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/docs/MoonStoriesASP2019.pdf
Create your own Moon story handout https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/docs/CreateMoonStory.pdf - Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian Star Stories:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS6nSmuURFJBLIE-4ulPJMYxOV4Zpj1WZ - Indigenous Education Institute (IEI):
http://indigenouseducation.org - NISE Network books, reading, and storytelling resources section on Night Sky Storytelling resources
- Learn more about Indigenous ways of knowing and making local connections in the NISE Network guide Working with STEM Experts: A Guide for Educators in Museums and Other Informal Learning Settings
- Professional Societies:
- SACNAS – Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science https://www.sacnas.org
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) https://www.aises.org/
World Tsunami Awareness Day (November 5)
National STEM - STEAM Day (November 8)
- NISE Network STEAM activities https://www.nisenet.org/steam
- Watch and Create! Creativity For Sustainability activity
- Exploring the Universe: Nebula Spin Art activity
- Chemistry is Colorful activity
- Nature of Dye activity
- Exploring Materials - Thin Films activity
- explore this website by searching the topic Art, Music, and Literature
International Day of Radiology & World Radiography Day (November 8)
The date marks the anniversary of the discovery of X-Rays by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895
- https://www.internationaldayofradiology.com
- https://www.isrrt.org/world-radiography-day
- https://www.sor.org/about-radiography/world-radiography-day
World Science Day for Peace and Development (November 10)
- UNESCO https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldscienceday
- International Science Center and Science Museum Day http://www.iscsmd.org
America Recycles Day (November 15)
- https://kab.org/our-signature-programs/america-recycles-day/
- NISE Network sustainability resources https://www.nisenet.org/sustainability-resources
Pride in STEM Day (November 18) - celebrate people in STEM
International Day of LGBTQIA+ People in STEM
- Pride in STEM Day http://prideinstem.org/lgbtstemday/
- LGBTQ+ STEM https://lgbtstem.wordpress.com
- Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) https://www.ostem.org/
- Out to Innovate™ https://www.noglstp.org
World Children's Day (November 20)
Thanksgiving (last Thursday in November)
- Turkey breast feathers are iridescent due to nano-sized structures within the feathers; for more about iridescence check out:
- NISE Network biomimicry resources including iridescence https://www.nisenet.org/biomimicry
- Exploring Materials - Thin Films program
- Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals program
- Butterfly Blues video
- Biomimicry: From Nature to Nanotech program
"Black Friday" Shopping Day - (Friday after Thanksgiving)
- Would You Buy That stage presentation
- Buy It or Better Not activity
Black Hole Friday (last Friday in November)
- Black Hole event resources from Black Hole Week https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/bhw/
- What are Black Holes? https://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/starsgalaxies/black_hole_description.html
- More about Black Holes https://www.nasa.gov/black-holes
December
World Futures Day (December 2)
- UNESCO https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-futures
- Teach the Future resources https://www.teachthefuture.org
- NISE Network futures activities and forum programs https://www.nisenet.org/society
National Disability Day (December 3)
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3)
- UNESCO https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/personswithdisabilitiesday
- NISE Network Inclusive Audience resources
- Universal Design Guidelines: Programs - Guidelines for creating accessible programming within the NISE Network
- Universal Design Guidelines: Exhibits - Guidelines for creating accessible exhibits within the NISE Network
Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) and Hour of Code (second week in December)
- CS Ed Week www.csedweek.org
- Hour of Code http://hourofcode.com/us
- NISE Network computer science resources https://www.nisenet.org/computerscience
Games Day (December 20)
- NISE Network games https://www.nisenet.org/games
- Guide: A Gameful Approach to STEM Learning Experiences
Winter Solstice (December 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere)
- Solstices and equinoxes provide opportunities for planning quarterly programs related to the Earth, Sun, and Moon (astronomical seasons) or your local environment (meteorological seasons)
- Moon resources https://www.nisenet.org/moon
- NASA Space Place seasons resources
OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS
Super Hero activities
- Science Fiction, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Superheroes compilation of resources
- Partner Highlight How to incorporate nanoscience content into an amazing Superhero Science event!
Science Fiction
Food related activities
- NISE Network food activities
Food is a great way to connect relevance of STEM content to our lives. Activities explore the science of cooking and preparing food, some of the societal choices about how we grow and process food. Activities can be incorporated into events that involve cooking an eating, food festivals, and annual celebrations like Halloween and Valentine's Day.
Past Events
2022-2023 Year Long Events
Gregor Mendel 200 (July 2022 - 2023)
- https://gregormendel200.org
- Videos of his life and work
- NISE Network genetics resources https://www.nisenet.org/genetics
International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (2022-2023)
- https://www.iybssd2022.org/en/home/
- NISE Network sustainability resources https://www.nisenet.org/sustainability-resources
2022 Year Long Events
- 2022 - Transistor 75th Anniversary
- 2022 - International Year of Glass (January - December 2022)
- https://www.iyog2022.org
- Compilation of glass activities and resources https://www.nisenet.org/glass
- Aerogel activity
- Exploring Materials - Stained-Glass Windows activity
- Nanoparticle Stained Glass (cart demo)
- Nanoparticle Stained Glass: classroom program
- Exploring Properties - Invisibility activity
- Exploring Nano & Society - Invisibility Cloak activity
- Light activities and resources
2019 - Year Long Events
- 2019 - International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements, 150th anniversary
- 2019 - 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing (July 20, 1969) and Apollo missions
http://nisenet.org/moon50 - 2019 - NASA 60th anniversary
- 2019 Summer Reading - A Universe of Stories 219 Summer Learning Program
2015 - Year Long Events
International Year of Light (2015)
- NISE Network compilation of light activities and resources https://www.nisenet.org/light-activities
- NISE Network International Year of Light (2015) resources
- International Year of Light logos and background
Short hands-on activities
- Exploring Materials - Liquid Crystals (NanoDays 08, 09, 10)
- Exploring Products - Liquid Crystal Displays (NanoDays 2013)
- Exploring Properties - Invisibility (NanoDays 13, 14)
- Exploring Products - Sunblock (NanoDays 2011 and 2012)
- Exploring Properties - UV Bracelets (NanoDays 2013)
- Exploring Materials - Thin Films (NanoDays 2011 and 2012)
- Exploring Structures - Butterfly (NanoDays 2012)
- Exploring Materials - Nano Gold (NanoDays 2012)
- Exploring Tools - 3D Imaging (NanoDays 2013)
- Exploring Properties - Capillary Action (NanoDays 2014)
Videos
- Butterfly Blues video
- Zoom into a Blue Morpho Butterfly video
- Nano and Me videos - Gold
- What’s Nano About Bubbles? video
- Invisibility Cloak video
- A Little Bit of Sunshine video
Programs
- Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals classroom program
- Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs): Cart Version program
- Biomimicry: From Nature to Nanotech program
- Nanoparticle Stained Glass (cart demo) program
- Photolithography program
- Dye Sensitized (Raspberry Juice) Solar Cell
Online workshop
- recorded online workshop March 2013 that included a discussion of light at the nanoscale
- Online Brown-Bag: The International Year of Light 2015 - What's Nano about Light? (Recording)
More light activities
- explore this website by searching the topic: Physical Sciences - Light and Optics
- HowToSmile.org collection of light activities https://www.howtosmile.org/resource-search/light
2014 - Year Long Events
International Year of Crystallography (2014)
- www.iycr2014.org website for background, activities, and how to participate
- Self-Assembly in Crystals program demo
- the Electric Squeeze program demo
- Exploring Products – Liquid Crystal Displays (NanoDays 2013) activity
- Exploring Materials – Liquid Crystals (NanoDays 08, 09, 10) activity
- Nano Ice Cream activity
- Online Brown-Bag: Nano in Food (Recorded) for background information on ice cream crystals
Comments?
If you have a suggestion for an addition or correction to this page, please contact the webmaster