Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network
The Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net) was a project funded by the National Science Foundation to create a national community of researchers and informal science educators dedicated to fostering public awareness, engagement, and understanding of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology (Award Nos. 0532536 and 0940143, 2005-2017).
Transition to the National Informal STEM Education Network
In 2016 the Network transitioned to a new, ongoing identity as the National Informal STEM Education Network. We are still known as NISE Net, but now Network partners across the United States engage audiences in a range of STEM topics. NISE Net has a variety of previous and current projects, which offer educational materials and professional resources to our community of educators, scientists, and other professionals in the field of informal science education.
NISE Network members humanize the nanoscale structure of a crystal at the 2009 Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
Photo by Emily Maletz Graphic Design
NISE Network initiatives
The Nanoscale Informal STEM Education Network created a wide range of educational materials and professional resources including:
- NanoDays kits:
- Museum & Community Partnerships Explore Science – Zoom into Nano kits
- Nano mini-exhibition
- Professional development
The National Informal STEM Education Network projects has a number of additional projects that provide additional materials related to diverse areas of STEM.
NISE Network Impacts
The NISE Network Report to Partners provides an overview of the major activities of the Network and highlights our collective accomplishments related to building collaborations, engaging the public, and increasing the capacity of the field. It also looks ahead to sustaining the Network beyond the original Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network initiative, funded by the National Science Foundation.
The report includes three related products: a printed report, a set of presentation slides, and a video. Together, these resources allow NISE Net partners to learn about the impact of the Network and share it with others. For example, the slides and video can be presented at a staff or board meeting and the print report circulated to provide more information.
The printed report can be viewed online or downloaded and printed on standard 8.5"x11" paper. The slides are customizable, and presenters are encouraged to add their own content to highlight local activities and outcomes related to the NISE Network. The video provides perspectives from individuals across the Network on what we have accomplished as a group and what the Network has meant to them.
2017 Report to Partners print document
2015 Partner Testimonials video
2015 Museum-Scientist Partnerships: NanoDays and Beyond video
Core Project Partners
From 2005 to 2017, the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network project was led by 14 museums, universities, and professional organizations across the nation. Core institutions included:
- Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)
- Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University (CNS-ASU)
- Children's Museum of Houston
- Exploratorium
- The Franklin Institute
- Lawrence Hall of Science
- Museum of Life and Science
- Museum of Science Boston
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
- Sciencenter
- Materials Research Society (MRS)
- Science Museum of Minnesota
- SRI International
- University of Wisconsin - Madison
Acknowledgements
The Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network was supported by the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers 0532536 and 0940143.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.