Learner smells balloons with educators

Inclusive Audiences

Informal STEM education is designed for everyone! NISE Network creates materials that educators and STEM professionals can share with lifelong learners of all ages and backgrounds.

NISE Network is committed to promoting opportunities for lifelong learners to engage in STEM.

By gathering, studying, and sharing evidence about what works best, the Network is continually improving in its efforts to involve all people in learning about and contributing to STEM.

NISE Network and our partners strive to include a diverse audience with regard to geography, dis/ability, gender, race/ethnicity, language and income. Some examples of this work include:

Practices: using evidence-based practices that support meaningful participation and learning by diverse communities
Partnerships: collaborating across networks and organizations to ensure broad geographic and demographic participation
Cognitive and physical accessibility: using Universal Design principles and accessible practices for educational materials and learning experiences
Cultural relevance and language: using culturally inclusive and sensitive practices and offering materials in languages other than English (NISE Network projects offer many of our materials in Spanish)

Discovery Museum building

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Applying universal design guidelines improves access for all audiences and also allows layering of content for preschool through adult audiences.

DENISE LEBLANC

formerly of The Discovery Museum

Featured Resources

Translation Process Guide cover showing Latino mother and daughter having conversation about an exhibit

Translation Process Guide

Professional development guide for educators from the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network.

Bilingual Design Guide cover showing Latino family having conversation about an exhibit

Bilingual Design Guide

Professional development guide presenting a variety of interpretive and design strategies the Network has used for different bilingual products, including exhibits, programs, and media.

Group photo of attendees of the Bilingual Audiences Workshop in Houston

Bilingual Audiences Workshop Resources

In June 2013, NISE Net partners representing twenty informal education centers around the country explored how to better engage Hispanic/Latino audiences with nanoscale science, technology, and engineering. Workshop resources include the agenda, information on sheltered instruction, presentation slides, TBI resources, and workshop handouts.

Spanish Language Resources

Many NISE Network educational products are available in Spanish. The NISE Network also has created professional development tools for bilingual graphic design and the translation process.

Solar System Ambassador facilitating an activity at an Earth and Space event

Tips Sheets for Engaging Public Audiences

A collection of tips sheets for engaging public audiences in hands-on STEM activities. Specific sheets for: girls, young learners, bilingual audiences, preparing guest speakers, creating conversations, difficult concepts, and accessibility and inclusion.

Earthrise Apollo 8 image Image Credit: NASA, Apollo 8 Crew, Bill Anders; Processing and License: Jim Weigang

Making Earth & Space Science More Relevant and Inclusive

These professional learning resources are based on materials developed for the NISE Network’s Earth & Space Project-Based Learning Community which took place in 2021-2022. This project supported museums and science centers across the U.S. in their efforts to make Earth & Space science relevant and inclusive for their local communities. This collection features resources and recordings presented during this virtual online learning community.

NISE Network DEAI booklet page 22 with a chart showing an increasing level of community-driven involvement in learning experiences

Broadening Participation Booklet

Tools for engaging communities and incorporating inclusive practices into informal STEM projects. The examples are designed to support NISE Network partner efforts in making their experiences more relevant and inclusive in their local communities.

Resources for Specific Audiences

Child using the Braille book, called "Getting a Feel for Eclipses," features graphics that teach users about the interaction and alignment of the sun with the moon and Earth

Blind and Low Vision Audiences

Resources for improving accessibility for blind and low vision audiences including strategies, guidelines, audio descriptions, sonifications, tactile books, and tactile 3D-printed models.

Children listening wearing paper elephant ears in Horton Senses Something Small NanoDays activity

Early Learners

A collection of activities and resources for young learners and early childhood educators.

Girls looking a the Moon Game

Girls in STEM

A compilation of resources for engaging girls and young women in STEM as well as resources for collaborating with Girl Scouts.

Online Workshop Recording: Nano Brown-Bag: Tips and Tricks for Engaging Girls in Museum Programming

Online professional development workshop recording (2014)

Featured Universal Design Professional Resources

Image of the cover for the Universal Design Guidelines for public programs in museums booklet on green background featuring three learners in front of test tubes

Universal Design Guidelines: Programs guide

Professional development guide for educators, researchers, and network leaders from the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network .

Image of the Universal design booklet cover featuring a blue background and a young girl interacting with a display monitor

Universal Design Guidelines: Exhibits

Professional development guide for educators, researchers, and network leaders from the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network in 2009.

Online Workshop: Programming for Audiences with Special Needs

Online professional development workshop recording (2019).

Online Workshop Recording: Nano Brown-Bag: Universal Design of Programs Workshop Follow-Up

Online professional development workshop recording (2013).

Online Workshop Recording: Nano Brown-Bag: Universal Design for Public Programs

Online professional development workshop recording (2012).

Adult visitor engaging with Carbon Nano-Tube puzzle exhibit component

Universal Design of Educational Programs In-Person Workshop Resources

Professional development resources for educators focused on Universal Design of educational programs (2013).

More Universal Design and Accessibility Resources

Collaboration to Reach Different Audiences

Working with STEM Experts Guide cover including an image of expert puring a liquid and using a strainer with a girl and her family at a museum public event

Working with STEM Experts: A Guide for Educators in Museums and Other Informal Learning Settings

Professional development guide to help informal STEM educators find, prepare, and work with STEM experts to engage with the public.

Families collaborating on a project

Collaborations

NISE Network encourages partnerships among museums, universities, and other organizations that support lifelong STEM learning. By collaborating, we can leverage our complementary strengths and resources and achieve outcomes we couldn't do alone!

cover of the collaboration guide on blue background

Museum & Community Partnerships: Collaboration Guide and additional resources

Professional development guide for educators, researchers, and network leaders from the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network