Exhibits

The NISE Network has created a variety of exhibits on nano science, technology, and engineering. The exhibits created by the NISE Network were developed through a process of prototyping, audience evaluation research, educator peer review, and in-depth partnerships with scientists. 

How can I build my own exhibit?

• The NISE Network has created a variety of exhibits on nano science, technology, and engineering. Digital files of exhibit plans, drawings, and signage are available at no charge for museums or educational institutions who wish to build their own copies or adapt these exhibits for their own use; most of these materials can be downloaded directly from the online catalog. Educational products created by the NISE Network are created under a Creative Commons attribution non-commercial share-alike license allowing other nonprofit institutions to use and adapt these materials.  All exhibit and media products labelled in the catalog as "NISE NET PRODUCT" fall under this Creative Commons license; please note that products labelled  "LINKED RESOURCE" have been created by another institution and you must contact the owning institution regarding rights and permissions.

How can I buy an exhibit or exhibition?

• The NISE Network does not sell exhibits, however, some of our partners do sell exhibits.  If you are interested in renting or buying an exhibit or exhibition you should contact the original creator/owner to see if  it is possible for them to fabricate a copy of the exhibit or exhibition for you for a fee. If you cannot find the contact  person for a specific exhibit in the online catalog, please contact exhibits@nisenet.org for assistance.
  Exhibits in the catalog
  Permanent exhibitions in the catalog

How can I rent a traveling exhibition?

• The NISE Network does not tour traveling exhibitions, however, some of our partners do tour traveling exhibitions for a fee.  You can contact the owners of the traveling exhibition and ask if it is available for you to rent.  If you cannot find the contact  person for a specific traveling exhibition in the online catalog, please contact exhibits@nisenet.org for assistance and we will connect you with the owner. 
  Traveling exhibitions in the catalog

Nano mini-exhibition 

NISE Network museum partners are eligible to apply for a free copy of the Nano mini-exhibition.  Online applications were due March 1, 2012 - the application period is now closed.

Nano is an interactive exhibition that engages family audiences in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Hands-on exhibits present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce some real world applications, and explore the societal and ethical implications of this new technology.

Nano was created by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Network) with support from the National Science Foundation. The Nano exhibition is intended for long-term display in museums across the United States, where it will engage tens of millions of people. Up to seventy copies of Nano will be fabricated; all copies will be identical and distributed to museum partners free of charge. The exhibition complements NanoDays events and other NISE Network educational experiences.

More Information:

• One page flyer with images and description

• Application Overview includes application  application instructions, eligibility, review criteria for completing the online application

•  Nano Mini-exhibition in Catalog includes host resources, photos, and walkthrough videoSpecifications:

• Questions: For general advice about the process, or further questions, please contact your NISE Net regional hub leader: www.nisenet.org/community

• Nano exhibition public website: www.whatisnano.org/nano-exhibit

Exhibits in the Catalog created by the NISE Network

Nano Mini-Exhibition

• Nano-mini-exhibition:  Nano is an interactive exhibition that engages family audiences in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Hands-on exhibits present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce some real world applications, and explore the societal and ethical implications of this new technology. A public website is available at whatisnano.org

Intro to Nano Exhibits

• Intro to Nanotechnology Video "Nanotechnology: What's the Big Deal?" gives viewers a broad overview of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by nanoscale science, and dive into the super tiny scale of nanotechnology.
• Creating Nanomaterials This interactive, multimedia exhibit demonstrates how scientists are using the ability of molecules to self-assemble to create consumer goods with surprising properties.
• At the Nanoscale This exhibit aims to show just how super small one billionth of a meter, or one nanometer, really is. A Billion Beads is an activity where visitors inspect tubes that hold quantities of one thousand tiny beads, one million beads, and one billion beads.
• Unexpected Properties This exhibit demonstrates how materials at the nanoscale can have unexpected properties. 

NanoMedicine Exhibits

• Intro to Nanomedicine video
  The video's colorful animation and researcher commentary complements the accompanying text panel to provide a brief overview of some of the basic ideas and goals of nanomedicine
• Nanomedicine Explorer
  This interactive, updateable multimedia kiosk and media package, allows visitors to explore a variety of topics and specific research areas in cancer nanomedicine through vivid animations and video story-telling up close with a diverse group of researchers.
• Treating Disease
  This exhibit is about cutting-edge medical treatments that are being developed with nanotechnology. Gold Nanoshells, demonstrates how tiny nanoparticles of gold are being used to destroy cancerous tumors.
• Regenerating Tissues
  Visitors see how nanomaterials are able to form tiny structures called nanoscaffolds that help the body repair damaged muscle, bone, and nerve tissues.
• Detecting Disease
  This exhibit introduces new ways of diagnosing and monitoring disease by using nanomaterials.

Stand Alone Exhibits

• Nano Buzz
  This multimedia kiosk features current nano science and nano topics in the news.
• Changing Colors
  This interactive exhibit shows how some high-tech nanomaterials mimic natural phenomena. Watch the colors change on butterfly wings and thin-film slides as you move them beneath a light source, and discover how nanoscale structures can manipulate light and create color.
• Bump and Roll
  An interactive exhibit that demonstrates nanomaterial properties using an everyday object: a leaf of cabbage. 

Younger Audience Exhibits

• NanoLab
  This exhibit allows visitors to dress up like a scientist, play with interactive exhibits, and learn about how nano scientists use special devices and laboratories to build and manipulate materials on the nanoscale.
• Nanotechnology: Fact or Fiction
  This exhibit's panels and constructible toy “nanobots” teach visitors what’s real in nanotechnology, and what remains science fiction. 

Full Body Immersive Exhibits  

• Mixing Molecules
  A full-body immersive simulation demonstrating the collision of molecules at the nanoscale.
• Three Drops
  A full body immersive simulation that allows visitors to interact with water at three size scales using their shadows.

Where can I see nano exhibitions at a museum in the United States?

• NISE Network created exhibits:
  The full set of NISE Network created exhibits entitled "Nanotechnology: What's the Big Deal?" is touring the Arkansas Discovery Network during 2009-2011. The touring schedule is available here. Copies of many of these exhibits are also currently on display at the Museum of Science, Boston and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, OR
  
  Locations where the Nano mini-exhibition are displayed are listed here: whatisnano.org/nano-exhibit

• nanoZone
  A permanent exhibition at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, CA introducing basic nanoscale and state-of-the-art nanotechnology science to an 8 to 14-year-old audiences.

• Strange Matter
  A traveling exhibition with over a dozen hands-on experiences and exhibits give you a close encounter with the amazing world of modern materials and materials science. Developed by the Ontario Science Center and presented by the Materials Research Society

• It's a Nano World: Smaller than a Spot on a Ladybug
  A traveling 3,000 square feet hands-on, interactive museum exhibition that introduces children and their families to the biological wonders of the nano world that's too small to see with just your eyes. Designed for 5-8 year olds and their families. Developed by the Sciencenter of Ithaca, NY, Cornell University, and Painted Universe, Inc.

•  Zoom into Nano (formerly Too Small to See)
  A traveling 5,000 sq. ft. hands-on, interactive museum exhibition focuses on how scientists see and make things that are too small to see. Nanoscale science and engineering is the process through which materials are manipulated on the molecular scale to generate very, very small structures and devices. Designed for children 8 - 13 and their families. Developed by the Sciencenter of Ithaca, NY, Cornell University, and Painted Universe, Inc.