NISE Net resources

NISE Net research indicates that the public knows very little about nanoscience, engineering, and technology, and has little understanding of the properties and forces active at the nanoscale (Multimedia Research, 2005).

As part of NISE Net's efforts to improve the public's awareness and understanding of nanoscale science, we are assembling a "catalog" of exhibits, programs, forums, and other ways to engage the public -- some developed by NISE Net, others developed by professional colleagues in the informal science field and in academic research centers.

NISE Net Product Strategy

Informal science institutions (ISIs) are interested in a wide range of strategies to foster the public engagement with nano. During our initial prototyping phase, we learned a great deal from our core partners as well as from dozens of other ISIs who gave us input and feedback. We found that most ISIs were intrigued with the idea of presenting nano to their public, but that many lacked the staff capacity, science background, or funding to do so.

Currently there are two large nano exhibitions (in English) traveling in the United States: It's a Nano World, targeted at young children; and Too Small to See, targeted at older children and families. Strange Matter, a traveling exhibition targeted at children and families, also has significant nano-related content.

To complement these existing exhibits and serve the wide range of ISIs, NISE Net is focusing our educational products on smaller exhibitions, individual components, programs, events, and forums that can be mixed and matched into packages that could meet many educational needs.