MARCH 2022
NETWORK NEWS
NanoDays
NanoDays is an annual event about nanoscale science, engineering, and technology and their impact on society. This is the time of year when NanoDays is celebrated (March 26-April 3, 2022). If you aren’t able to hold an in-person event this year, don’t worry –– you can use NanoDays activities anytime during the year to engage public audiences in-person and virtually.
Learn more nisenet.org/nanodays
World Quantum Day
World Quantum Day (April 14, 2022) aims to promote public understanding of quantum science and technology. Learn more about quantum educational resources at nisenet.org/quantum
UPCOMING EVENTS
Online Workshops
The NISE Network hosts free online workshops as professional development opportunities for our partners to share with and learn from each other. Online workshops take place on select Tuesdays at 2pm-3pm Eastern. View upcoming online workshops at nisenet.org/events
- April 5, 2022
Communicating Climate Change to Diverse Audiences
Learn more and register - May 3, 2022
Earth and Space Resource Roundup - an Overview of All the NISE Network has to Offer
Learn more and register - June 14, 2022
Reconnect and Re-engage with the NISE Network 2022 - An Overview of Projects and Time to Reconnect
Learn more and register
Association of Children’s Museums InterActivity Conference
May 16-18, 2022, Saint Louis
Learn more about NISE Network activities at the conference
PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS
Lewisburg Children's Museum in Pennsylvania Celebrates the James Webb Space Telescope Launch with NASA Astronaut Andrew Feustel
The Lewisburg Children's Museum in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania celebrated the recent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) with someone very familiar with space telescopes: NASA Astronaut Andrew J. Feustel. The museum also welcomed U.S. Congressional Representative Fred Keller and Dr. Joel Leja from Penn State University, a researcher who studies galaxy formation and evolution to their event.
Read more
Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC works with local residents to monitor their air quality
What role might a science center play in assessing local environmental risk? What responsibilities do science centers have in increasing environmental literacy in their local communities? In Durham, particulate matter pollution from highways, industry, and wildfires pose a disproportionate local health hazard to residents. The Museum of Life and Science is committed to helping residents find solutions, beginning with a better understanding of the scope and scale of the problem.
Read more
FEATURED ON THE WEBSITE
Looking for an easy way to discover resources on the nisenet.org website?
Check out our “Browse by Themes and Topics,” featuring curated collections of hands-on activities and resources by themes and STEM topics: nisenet.org/browse-topic
Featured collections
- NanoDays resources
- Quantum educational resources
- Webb Space Telescope resources
- International Year of Glass 2022
Recorded NISE Network online workshops
View the recordings and resources from recent NISE Net online workshops:
- Increasing Community Resilience to Extreme Weather and Environmental Hazards - The Citizen Science, Civics, and Resilient Communities (CSCRC) Project (recorded 2/15/2022) View the recording
- Working with STEM Experts - If Only There Was A Guide... Now There Is! (recorded 3/1/2022) View the recording
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Artemis I Launch Anticipated Late March/April 2022
Artemis I will be an uncrewed flight test in 2022 that will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration.
- NASA is hosting an Artemis I STEM and Public Engagement Collaboration Meeting (March 16, 2022) virtual registration open through March 11
- Learn about how to plan a watch party event using the NASA Artemis I Launch and Splashdown Event Planning Guide
- NISE Network Moon and Artemis resources nisenet.org/moon
COVID-19 Coronavirus and Vaccine Resources - Messaging and Pandemic Fatigue
The Public Health Collaborative has updated its tough questions related to COVID-19, with suggested answers including how to respond to pandemic fatigue.
Learn more
NISE Network continues to compile resources as the situation continues to evolve:
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS
NANOTECHNOLOGY NEWS
Snowflakes up close
In this charming 5-minute PBS video, a Colorado doctor captures the stunning uniqueness of snowflakes using a black sock and a camera. A snowflake’s macroscale structure that we can see (the snowflake) reflects the nanoscale arrangement of water molecules.
Watch and read more
NISE Network resources:
• Self-Assembly activity
• Snowflakes: Nano at its Coolest program
• Water, ice, and snow resources
• Size and scale resources
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY NEWS
Bioengineered food labeling
On Jan. 1, 2022 a new bioengineered food disclosure standard took effect in the US. Shoppers are seeing new "bioengineered” or “derived from bioengineering” labels appearing on their food. More than 90% of US-grown corn, soybeans, and sugar beets are genetically modified. This means that many processed foods containing high-fructose corn syrup, beet sugar, or soy protein may fall under the new disclosure standard.
Read more
NISE Network resources:
• Bio Bistro activity
• Food activities
• Building with Biology kit
SPACE NEWS
NASA’s Perseverance rover celebrates one year on Mars
The rover has been on the planet for one year exploring Jezero Crater. A key objective for the mission is searching for signs of ancient microbial life. The rover will characterize the planet’s geology and past climate, pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and be the first mission to collect and cache Martian rock and regolith (broken rock and dust). Read more
NISE Network resources:
• Mars public engagement resources
CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
New climate public opinion maps
The Yale Climate Opinion Maps have released a new set of maps displaying information about the diversity of US climate opinions. These maps can be a powerful tool for understanding opinion and can influence climate change policy and decision making for mitigation, adaptation, justice, and equity. Read more
NISE Network resources:
SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
Airless tires get their public test drive
The new Michelin tires are a step on the road to sustainability. As the name suggests, the airless tires don’t puncture, so they should last longer — which means less tires will need to be produced, helping limit waste. Read more
NISE Network resources:
CHEMISTRY NEWS
Plastic dot sniffs out infections we can’t see
Chronic wounds take months to heal, and infections can happen very fast. Keeping wounds covered can help them stay clean. But if bacteria grow beneath the bandages, things can get dangerous.
Read more
NISE Network resources:
• Chemistry Makes Scents activity
• Exploring Size - Smelly Balloons activity
STEM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Discover activity ideas for incorporating current science, engineering, and technology content into events, special programming, holidays, and seasonal activities by visiting: nisenet.org/seasons
MARCH
- What’s Up Skywatching Tips from NASA
- Women's History Month (March) & International Women's Day (March 8)
- Severe Weather Awareness Week (March in many states, dates vary)
Severe weather may include flood, fire, lightning, hurricane, tornados, tsunami, earthquake, heat, and cold. - World Wildlife Day (March 3)
- World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (March 4)
- Dr. Seuss Day (March 2)
- Groundwater Awareness Week (March 6-12, 2022)
- Pi Day and International Day of Mathematics (March 14)
- NASA Pi Day posters
- NASA 10 ways to Celebrate Pi Day
- 18 Ways NASA Uses Pi
- Celebrate math! There are one billion nanometers in a meter NISE Network Size, Scale, & Measurement resources
- UNESCO International Day of Mathematics
- National Learn about Butterflies Day (March 14)
- Brain Awareness Week (March 14-20, 2022)
- National Ag Day (March 22, 2022)
- Spring Equinox (March 20, 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere)
Solstices and equinoxes provide opportunities for planning quarterly programs related to the Earth, Sun, and Moon (astronomical seasons) or your local environment (meteorological seasons). - World Water Day (March 22)
- Earth Hour (March 26, 2022)
- NanoDays (March 26-April 3, 2022)
APRIL
- Citizen Science Month (April)
- National Kite Month (April)
- Global Astronomy Month (April)
- Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month (April)
- World Health Day (April 7)
- International Dark Sky Week (first week in April)
- National Robotics Week / RoboWeek (April 2-10l)
- Yuri's Night (April 12)
- World Quantum Day (April 14)
- World Art Day (April 15)
- Earth Day (April 22)
- DNA Day (April 25)
NATIONAL MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
-
Association of Children’s Museums, May 16-18, 2022, Saint Louis
-
Visitor Studies Association Conference, July 12-14, 2022, Omaha
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ASTC Conference, September 12-15, 2022, Pittsburgh
-
CAISE InformalScience.org conference calendar
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National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conferences