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NISE Network Blog

Temperature Mapping hands-on activity picture

Partner Highlight: Grand Re-opening Family Event Blasts Off at Challenger Learning Center of Colorado

February 11, 2020
Becca Manis, Director of Curriculum, Challenger Learning Center of Colorado
After 17 years, the dream to expand the Challenger Learning Center of Colorado to include room for public events and on-site summer camps was finally realized through a revitalized partnership. This past fall, the Center hosted its Grand Re-Opening family open-house event, the first major public event to take place in our newly expanded facility, for almost 900 guests. Staff used activities from the NISE Net's Explore Space toolkits and as well as from fellow Challenger partners.
Hands-on learning activity about daytime and nighttime

Partner Highlight: Bringing Multi-touch Science Learning into the Classroom Through Pre-school Teacher Professional Development

January 31, 2020
Rori Leath, The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology
Throughout the fall and winter, The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology worked with twenty preschool teachers and their students to explore the concepts of Day and Night. The goal with this preschool program is for students to...
Children's Museum of New Hampshire sustainability activity photo

Network Partners Develop Creative Sustainability Programming and Practices for Their Organizations, Visitors, and Communities

January 31, 2020
Nich Weller, Arizona State University
Dozens of NISE Network partners started off the new year in sustainable fashion. Thirty museum professionals finished their participation in the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability in Science and Technology Museums Fellowship program where they learned about sustainability and planned their own sustainability efforts. This was the first of three cohorts in the program designed to help...
Arkansas STEM Fest photo

Partner Highlight: Arkansas State University hosts STEM Fest as Part of the Arkansas Science Festival

January 29, 2020
Jill Kary, Arkansas State University Museum
In honor of Arkansas Science Festival, seven Arkansas State University (A-State) departments came together to host STEM Fest on October 25, 2019. The event was an explosive hit! More than 700 students in grades K-12 registered to attend this event, an indicator of youth interest, and more than 100 volunteers assisted with STEM hands-on activities, some from NISE Net's Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry kit.
MSU undergrad outreach event picture

Partner Highlight: NISE Net Resources Help Undergraduate Researchers at Montana State University

January 29, 2020
Suzi Taylor, Montana State University
When network partner, Suzi Taylor at Montana State University’s (MSU) Science Math Resource Center, was tasked with helping undergraduate students create hands-on activities for a community outreach event, she turned to NISE Net resources for help.
Earth & Space

Explore Science: Earth & Space 2020 Physical Toolkit - Part A Shipping to 350 Partners Across the United States!

January 29, 2020
Kayla Berry, Museum of Science
What's New This Year? The National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net) 2020 Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkit will ship in two parts this year. Part A of the toolkit will be shipping out to 350 partner institutions nationwide...
Ingram Planetarium programming photo

Partner Highlight: Ingram Planetarium Explores Integrating NISE Net Kits into Interactive Programs in the Dome

January 3, 2020
Katherine Hunt, Planetarium Manager
This partner highlight will focus on Ingram Planetarium's experience and the process used to fully integrate a NISE Network Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkit into the dome theater with the goal of diversifying content, creating more engaging and interactive experiences in the dome for the learner, and to further empower Ingram’s education team to execute interactive programs in the planetarium environment.
Northern Kentucky University Haile Planetarium logo

Partner Highlight: Through Hardship, Haile Planetarium Continues

January 3, 2020
Christa Speights, Planetarium Director
Haile Planetarium is a 61 seat, 30 foot planetarium that is part of Northern Kentucky University. In recent years, we have had about 10,000 visitors per year. One recent expansion that has helped us grow is the NISE Network's Explore Science: Earth & Space 2019 toolkit. This is helping us get through our largest obstacle yet.
NISE Network group photo - 2019 Network Wide Meeting

NISE Network Year in Review 2019

January 2, 2020
Rae Ostman, Arizona State University
The NISE Network had a fantastic 2019! This past year we grew our Network to include many new partners and expanded connections across the United States and around the world. Our strength as a Network comes from our collaboration as dedicated professionals, and our impact comes from the work we all do to engage our local communities. Thank you to everyone who participates in our community! Here are some of our favorite Network moments of 2019.
Moon Landing Video Thumbnail Image

Remembering the Apollo 11 Moon Landing – 50th Anniversary Event Celebrations

December 4, 2019
Brad Herring, Museum of Life and Science
Do you remember where you were during the historic Moon landing 50 years ago? Can you recall the emotions that ran through you at that time? Or, perhaps you weren’t born yet but this historical feat has captured your imagination...