The NISE Network offers a variety of programs (educational experiences facilitated in-person by an educator). Public programs for large groups include lecture presentations, demonstrations, and theater shows. Public programs for small groups include demonstrations, hands-on activities, and games. Group programs include laboratories and school group programs (with camp and afterschool programs coming soon).
Educational programs are a great way to introduce audiences to nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Presenters can choose a format and topic that is appropriate for their audience. Facilitated experiences foster visitor conversation and interaction, and allow educators to adjust the science content, pace, and delivery style to suit their audience. NISE Net programs are fully documented, with complete lesson plans or activity guides, presentation materials, and other training and delivery tools.
They are ready to use, and can also be easily adapted. The programs created by the NISE Network were developed through a process of prototyping, audience evaluation research, educator peer review, and in-depth partnerships with scientists.
Programs Available in the Catalog
- All Catalog Programs
- NanoDays activities
- Cart Demonstrations
- Stage Presentations
- Facilitated activities
- Museum Theater
- Displays
- Classroom Activities
NISE Network Product Development Process
NISE Network products are created through an iterative, collaborative process that involves researchers in the field of nanoscale science, professionals in the field of informal science education, and our targeted public audience. This process helps to ensure that our programs, exhibits, and other products are scientifically accurate, represent best practices in educational product development, and are effective experiences for our visitors.
The Tools and Guides section of the catalog provides resources to help all museum professionals use a similar approach to developing educational experiences related to nanoscale science. There, you can find scientists who are willing to assist in program and exhibit development, tools and guidelines to support the development and review of programs, exhibits, and other experiences, and tips and tools for evaluating them with visitors.
- Scientist review Scientists are involved throughout the creation of NISE Net products, from the early conceptual development through prototyping and final review. Scientists help us to find interesting ideas and present them accurately and effectively. They also help us to communicate the excitement of this field of emerging science, and give it a human face. All products developed by the network are reviewed by an expert in an appropriate field related to nanoscale science, engineering, and technology before they are distributed.
- Peer review NISE Network development teams include educators, exhibit developers, and other professionals from museums across the country. We work together to make sure our educational products achieve their educational goals, are well-crafted, and represent best practices. Our collaborative development process also helps to create new knowledge to advance the field of informal science education and builds capacity at partner organizations. NISE Net products all go through extensive peer review during development.
- Visitor evaluation NISE Network products for the museum visitors are prototyped and evaluated with their target audience as an integral part of the development process. Evaluation helps us to ensure that our programs, exhibits, and other visitor experiences are accessible, engaging, and educationally effective. Many products go through several rounds of evaluation and improvement before they are distributed. Visitor evaluation reports are available for all NISE Net products.
