NISE Network Blog

NanoDays 2019

Partner Highlight: Celebrating NanoDays 2019 Events Across the Country

April 19, 2019
Catherine McCarthy, Science Museum of Minnesota
Many NISE Network partners have shared images of their NanoDays 2019 events on social networking. We have gathered just a few of many images shared by partners highlighting the different ways partners continue to use NanoDays kits and resources to engage the public.
Toolkit Resources

Check Your Box! - 2019 Explore Science: Earth and Space Toolkit

April 2, 2019
Christina Leavell
It has come to our attention that our kitting warehouse has made a few packing mistakes with the 2019 Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkits. NISE Net partners have reported missing materials from their toolkits, specifically print materials such as...
LDC Activity

A refill kit for Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry kit recipients shipped

April 2, 2019
Ali Jackson, Sciencenter
Shipping status update - Refill materials shipped out May 2 - 3, 2019 Thank you for all your efforts hosting Let’s Do Chemistry events this past fall! We’re excited to be able to support you, along with other organizations from...
Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry

Partner Highlight: Supporting Positive Attitudes Toward Learning Chemistry Through National Let's Do Chemistry Events

March 29, 2019
Kayla Berry, Museum of Science
Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry kits were distributed to 250 Network partners across the country for hosting public events last fall, reaching over 210,000 people, receiving many positive reactions! Read more for event highlights,
Museum of Science forums discussions featuring groups of people at tables writing on posters and discussing

Museum of Science, Boston debuts Forum Archive webpage

March 28, 2019
Emily Hostetler, Museum of Science
The Museum of Science, Boston (MOS) recently made their forums available for free download using their new Forum Archive website, thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation for the Building with Biology project. By creating this website, the MOS forum team hopes to make the forums they have developed over the years more accessible to formal and informal educators across the nation, now providing individuals the ability to download the files and use the materials without having to reach out to a team member.
Space Guess Quest Game Board

Revised Custom Graphics for Space Guess Quest game in the 2019 Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkit

March 8, 2019
Ali Jackson
2019 Explore Science: Earth & Space physical toolkit recipients: *NEW* physical copies of the Space Guess Quest game cards and game boards have been shipped so partners should be receiving these revised materials soon!
Nanostructures: Nature vs. Engineering and the Nano Exhibit

Partner Highlight: NANOMonth: The Museum of Life and Science goes big on things that are really small

February 28, 2019
Brad Herring, Museum of Life and Science
On certain Saturdays throughout the year the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC, hosts local scientists in The Lab to show off some of their most recent research. For the entire month of February we partnered with Dr. Chih-Hao Chang to explore natural versus engineered nanostructures through a series of hands-on activities and a curated art installation. Dr. Chang is an associate professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University and his research focuses on multifunctional nanostructured materials and nanomanufacturing. More simply put, many natural organisms have unique microscopic features, which reveal properties that aren’t observed in traditional materials. Observing these features has led to the field of biomimetics—where engineers take inspiration from biology to create new materials that can recreate these fascinating properties.
Kitting materials for 2019 toolkit

Explore Science: Earth & Space 2019 Physical Toolkits SHIPPING to 350 partners across the United States!

February 28, 2019
Ali Jackson
The National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net) Explore Science: Earth & Space 2019 physical toolkit have shipped out to 350 institutions nationwide!
SD Discovery Center

Partner Highlight: A Journey through chemistry from Pierre, South Dakota to the ocean to outer space

February 4, 2019
Dr. Rhea Waldman, SD Discovery Center
What does Central South Dakota have to do with the Ocean and Outer Space? Knowing how everything is connected is essential to understand our changing world, and so is empowering kids to realize everyone can make an impact – no...
Quantum Matters logo

NISE Network members eligible to enter the 2019 Quantum Matters™ Hands-on Science Communication Competition

February 1, 2019
Museum of Science, Boston
NanoDays...now with a Quantum Leap at the Museum of Science in Boston NanoDays is taking a Quantum Leap this year at the Museum of Science. The Museum has rebranded it to reflect that many of its university research center partners have leapt into an even smaller and more mysterious world: the realm of atoms and subatomic particles, ruled by the laws of quantum mechanics. Scientists and engineers are figuring out ways to harness spooky behaviors such as "entanglement" and "superposition" to revolutionize computing, sensing, and cybersecurity. Companies such as IBM, Google, and Microsoft are racing to build the first quantum computers. Worldwide, investment is pouring into the development of new quantum technologies for security and economic advancement. In December, Congress passed the National Quantum Initiative Act, to focus investment in quantum research and education.