NISE Network Year in Review 2025

Catherine McCarthy, Arizona State University
NISE Network logo - vertical color reverse

When reflecting on this past year, we are filled with gratitude to be able to collaborate with all of you! This past year we continued to work with our partners to increase our capacity as professionals and organizations to engage public audiences throughout the United States in science, technology, engineering and math topics. Our strength as a Network comes from our collaborations, and our impact comes from the work we all do to engage our local communities in STEM.

 

2025 sparkler image Photo by Moritz Knöringer on Unsplash
Photo by Moritz Knöringer on Unsplash

The year 2025 was challenging for many of us individually, as well as for our organizations and our communities adapting to rapidly changing federal priorities. We appreciated our network community's resilience as people came together to offer each other support, ideas, and encouragement. Although 2025 brought significant uncertainty and challenges for many of us, we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with you in the year ahead and beyond.

Thank you to everyone who participates in our community!

Here are some of our favorite Network moments of 2025.

NISE Network celebrates our 20th year anniversary!

The number 20 in mylar balloons photo by Matthew Ball on Unsplash

2025 marked the twentieth anniversary of the NISE Network! 
It is wonderful to still be working with a community of informal educators and scientists dedicated to engaging the public in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) across the United States. 

The NISE Network’s original project funding from the National Science Foundation began on October 1, 2005, with a focus on nanoscale science and technology. Over the years, we have continued to evolve and grow with different partners and projects. We've explored a wide range of STEM topics, always with a commitment to enhancing our capacity to engage the public.

Partners Engaging the Public in 2025

NSF 75th anniversary logo

Our partners engaged their local communities on many STEM topics in 2025, including through special commemorative events taking place last year:

 

A standing child with a colorful paper hat on their head and an adult kneeling next to them. Both appear to be focused on a tabletop activity.
Brain Awareness Week Spotlight Science: Brain Power, Credit: The Bell Museum, Saint Paul, MN

Here are just a few examples of partners engaging local communities in STEM topics:

Making Waves with Radio event at Columbia Memorial Downey California with children discussing activity with a museum facilitator.

Radio Futures: You Decide at the  Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey California,Credit Darrell Porcello
Two children pose wearing paper astronaut helmets while standing next to an activity station with the supplies to make the helmets.
Credit: Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Center, Kalamazoo, Michigan

 

 

Navigating person holding a map looking at mountain clouds
Photo by Ali Elliott on Unsplash

Navigating Changing Federal Priorities

This past year many federal programs have undergone significant transitions as federal agencies align with the priorities of the new federal administration. These changes have already led to major reductions in ongoing scientific research, public engagement in STEM, and educational programs. NISE Network has worked to provide updated information to our partners including this collection of resources to help partners adapt to rapid changes and uncertainty related to federal administration priorities:

 

Online workshop recordings logo square

Professional Learning Online Workshops

Professional learning online workshops were held throughout the year on a variety of topics. Sincere thanks to all those who presented and attended to share their valuable knowledge and experiences with all of us.

 

ASTC Conference 2025 NISE Network booth
ASTC 2025 conference in San Francisco

Conferences and Meetings

NISE Network projects participated in many conference presentations; presentation slides are available for many of these sessions at the links below:

ASTC Conference 2025 NISE Network networking event
Gathering outside Children's Creativity Museum at the ASTC 2025 conference in San Francisco
Large group photo of participants in the STEM Learning Ecosystems Meeting.
STEM Learning Ecosystems and Community Partnership Meeting in August 2025 in Minnesota

New Products in 2025

  • An individual sits at a table with others, there are colorful cards scattered across the table and a sign next to her reading "What Values Do You Share?"

    What Values Do You Share? Conversation Starter
    Successful collaborative plans and actions are grounded in values. Values shape the behavior and decision-making of an organization or collaborative group. This activity is designed to help people working together consider how their efforts align with their values and share what values are important for them, their organizations, and their community.
    https://www.nisenet.org/valuescards

    More STEM Learning Ecosystems resources:
    https://www.nisenet.org/stem-learning-ecosystems

     

  • Ancestral Astronomy learner embossing design on foil.

    Ancestral Astronomy activity
    In this activity, learners get to design and make their own space-themed artwork with aluminum foil, cardboard, wooden stylus, and colored markers. This activity combines cultural traditions from around the world of watching the sky; metalworking traditions from around the world including the Mexican craft of creating hojalata tin art; and the use of special commemorative medallions such as those used by NASA.
    https://www.nisenet.org/ancestralastronomy

     

  • Many event tents setup outside on a basketball court with a lot of people walking around the area.

    Co-creating with Communities Project Videos
    Co-creating with Communities brings together educators, community members, and subject matter experts to co-create opportunities to learn about NASA science in ways that are locally relevant and inclusive of everyone. 
    https://www.nisenet.org/catalog/co-creating-communities-project-videos

     

  • A family views a colorful, large-format radio technology timeline display at a science center exhibit. Ask ChatGPT

    Radio Technology Timeline
    This printable visual timeline highlights pivotal milestones in radio technology from the 1950s through the 2020s. Designed as a large-format educational resource, it showcases iconic breakthroughs and cultural moments in wireless communication.
    https://www.nisenet.org/catalog/radio-technology-timeline

     

  • America at 250
    As the United States commemorates its 250th (Semiquincentennial) anniversary, this compilation of resources can help reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. 
    https://www.nisenet.org/america250

 

  • Browse by Theme and Topics resource collections 
    We have continued to expand our collections so it is easier to integrate activities on the nisenet.org website into existing programs, themes, and seasonal activities.
    https://www.nisenet.org/browse-topic

Projects in 2025

STEM Learning Ecosystems postcard front with an illustration of a generalized place-based ecosystem

 

 

  • Co-Creating with Communities Logo

    Co-creating with Communities Initiative 
    Through two complementary NASA-funded projects, the NISE Network increased the capacity of informal educators to work with local communities to co-create opportunities to learn about NASA science in ways that are locally relevant and inclusive of everyone. Teams in seven locations across the United States are working with subject matter experts, community groups, and educational organizations.
    Projects continue into 2026
     

 


 

 

Publications in 2025

Externally published journal articles and professional publications include:

Build a Human Habitat on Mars - group of children building at exhibit
Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition Birdseye view of visitors interacting with exhibits

Exhibitions on Display

These existing NISE Network exhibitions continue to be on display at partner sites across the Nation:

 

 

Birdseye view of Nano exhibition with visitors.

 

 

If you are looking for a copy of either exhibition or looking to find a new home for your own copy, please contact Christina Leavell, our Community Manager. We can add those interested to our exhibit waiting lists, as well as assist current hosts with connections to interested partners.
https://www.nisenet.org/contact

Acknowledgements

The NISE Network's projects are generously supported by our funders.

Without their vital support these efforts would not be possible.
We sincerely thank our funders for their generous support.