AUGUST 2026
NETWORK NEWS
Solar Eclipse visible on August 12, 2026 in Northeastern United States and Alaska
This map from NASA shows where a solar eclipse will be visible on August 12, 2026. The path of totality will cross Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. In the United States, a partial eclipse will be visible in the northeast and Alaska.
Where can I see the partial solar eclipse?
• Portland, ME (19% coverage) maximum 1:53pm
• Boston, MA (16% coverage) maximum 1:55pm
• Albany, NY (13% coverage) maximum 1:50pm
• Burlington, VT (17% coverage) maximum 1:48pm
• Fairbanks, AK (37% coverage) maximum 8:27am
Check your location for time and coverage
Free Live Telescope Feed for Museums
The Exploratorium invites museums and science centers to share their free live telescope coverage of the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse from Spain. The broadcast features continuous live views from their solar telescopes. You are welcome to embed the YouTube livestream into your own YouTube broadcast or digital exhibits.
For viewing information and educational resources, visit www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse. The livestream will also be available directly on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@exploratorium/streams.
NISE Network solar eclipse resources
nisenet.org/solareclipse
See what the eclipse will look like from any location
Lunar Eclipse Thursday night, Aug 27, 2026 into early Friday morning August 28th
The lunar eclipse will be at 93% coverage for most of the United States.
Where can I see the partial solar eclipse?
• New York maximum 12:12am Friday
• Chicago maximum 11:12pm Thursday
• Denver maximum 10:12pm Thursday
• San Francisco maximum 9:12pm Thursday
Check your location for time and coverage
NISE Network lunar eclipse resources
nisenet.org/lunareclipse
Roman Space Telescope August 30, 2026 Launch Planned
Named after NASA’s first chief astronomer, the “mother of the Hubble Space Telescope,” the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is now scheduled to launch on August 30th at 7:20am Eastern. Learn how you can participate and engage your community. The telescope will have a field of view at least 100 times larger than Hubble's, potentially measuring light from a billion galaxies in its lifetime. This observatory will also be able to block starlight to directly see exoplanets and planet-forming disks, complete a statistical census of planetary systems in our galaxy, and answer questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics.
nisenet.org/roman
Learn more about our upcoming August 11th free online workshop covering the science of Roman and how to engage learners through national events.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
ASTC Conference
We are looking forward to seeing many NISE Network partners at the upcoming ASTC conference in Phoenix this September. We are planning a booth, sessions, and a networking event. Check out our list of NISE Network events at the conference:
nisenet.org/astc2026
NISE Network Networking Event
Please join fellow NISE Network members as we gather together informally. All are welcome! No need to RSVP:
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
5pm - 7pm Arizona time
learn more
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
• Ready for Roman -
Resources for Celebrating the Launch of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
2-3pm Eastern
Learn more and register
• Inspiring Ideas for Interpreting Scientific Data with Artwork
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
2-3pm Eastern
Learn more and register
FEATURED ON THE WEBSITE
America at 250 Resources
As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, there are many opportunities for us all to be involved. The NISE Network has created a compilation of resources emphasizing connections to STEM learning and engagement.
nisenet.org/America250
Artemis Moon Joy
Looking for ways to keep that Moon joy feeling going? Check out these
Moon activities and resources
National Coloring Book Day is August 2nd
Looking for activities about color and free STEM-themed coloring books?
nisenet.org/color
Online Workshop Recordings:
• Practical Approaches to Immersive Digital Experiences in Museums
(recorded 7-21-26)
Learn more
• America at 250 - Just in time resources you can use at science centers and children's museums
(recorded 6-9-26)
Learn more
• Library Collaborations to Engage Local Public Audiences
(recorded 5-19-26)
Learn more
• Finding and Collaborating with NASA Experts - Solar System Ambassadors and Night Sky Network
(recorded 4-14-26)
Learn more
• Museums Share Experiences Participating in STEM Learning Ecosystems
(recorded 3-31-2026)
Learn more
• More online workshop recordings
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
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Host a Roman Space Telescope event
With launch planned as early as August 30, 2026, NASA invites organizations to host community events for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Get access to free resources, webinars, and support to bring space science to your audience.
Learn more
Sign up to participate
More resources
nisenet.org/roman
Astronomy@250
virtual conference,
August 27-29
The Astro Society will host Astronomy@250, a virtual conference celebrating 250 years of astronomy in the US, from August 27-29.
• Learn more
Polar STEAM Summit,
October 1-3, Corvallis, OR
Where polar science, art, and education intersect and curiosity comes to life. Collaborate with educators, researchers, and artists to expand your toolkit and build lasting professional connections.
• Learn more
International Observe the Moon Night 2026
Save-the-date for this year’s event taking place on Saturday, September 19.
• Learn more
• Moon activities and resources
International Day of Scientific Culture, September 28
This celebration aims to highlight the importance of scientific culture in today's world; and celebrate activities and institutions that provide spaces for people to make science a relevant part of their lives.
• Learn more
Interested in one of our exhibitions?
Join the waiting list!
If you are interested in hosting the Nano exhibition or the Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition, please reach out to Christina Leavell, NISE Network Community Manager, to be added to a waiting list.
Contact us
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS
NEUROSCIENCE NEWS
As neurotechnology development accelerates, Georgia Tech researchers are grappling with how a neuro-connected future could reshape society — and humanity itself. Neuroethicist Karen Rommelfanger argues there is still a narrow window to shape how these neurotechnology tools are governed.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Brain and neuroscience resources
HEALTH & GENETICS NEWS
Genetically modified mosquitoes are being released into the wild to control diseases including half a million mosquitoes in the Washington, D.C. area. These are male mosquitoes infected with a bacteria that prevents eggs from hatching.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Should We Engineer the Mosquito? Forum
• Building with Biology resources
GENETICS NEWS
New research has found that it’s now possible to edit the DNA of human embryos with unprecedented precision, suggesting that gene editing in human embryos might be possible in the relatively near future raising ethical concerns.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
SPACE NEWS
A four-ton piece of a SpaceX rocket that has been floating in space since last year is believed to have crashed into the Moon at high speed and was expected to blast out a new lunar crater.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Asteroids, Comets, and Meteorite resources
ENGINEERING NEWS
MIT engineers are building robots inspired by diving seabirds like the Atlantic puffin which uses its wings to both fly and swim.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Engineering and robot resources
NANOTECHNOLOGY NEWS
Researchers from Brown University have experimental evidence for a buckyball molecule made from 80 boron atoms. The new structure is the cousin of the carbon buckyball, a soccer ball-shaped molecule made from 60 carbon atoms that helped launch the nanotechnology revolution when it was discovered just over 40 years ago.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Carbon activities
ENERGY NEWS
As electricity demand grows, researchers are developing batteries that are cheaper, more powerful, and less reliant on hard-to-source materials. Lithium-ion batteries still dominate, but sodium-ion and solid-state technologies are coming to market.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Energy resources and battery activities
RADIO NEWS
Scientists are still searching for the source of unexplained radio waves coming from under the ice in Antarctica.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
WEATHER NEWS
Breathing wildfire smoke can be compared to smoking cigarettes — a lot of cigarettes. On a smoky day, when air quality index (AQI) levels reach 100 to 200, the exposure to the fine particulate matter, the air pollution, is similar to smoking a quarter to half a pack of cigarettes a day.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
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
Year-long 2026
SUMMER
- Summer Camp Resources
- Outside Activities
- Summer Reading
- NISE Network books, reading, and storytelling resources
- Summer reading themes (2026 theme: Unearth a Story)
- Summer reading programs and resources
- Sun and Sand
AUGUST
- What’s Up Skywatching Tips from NASA
- Perseid Meteor Shower (August)
- The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower as they peak on warm August nights as seen from the Northern Hemisphere
- NISE Network Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, and Meteorites resources
- National Immunization Awareness Month (August)
- National Coloring Book Day (August 2)
- National Sand Castle Day (first Saturday of August)
- International Infinity Day (August 8)
- The mathematical infinity symbol looks like a sideways number 8.
- NISE Network size, scale, & measurement resources
- Howtosmile.org infinity activities
- World Photography Day (August 19)
- NISE Network light activities and resources
- NISE Network scientific images gallery
- NISE Network publicity photo gallery
- Selfies and photo ops: DIY Solar System App
- Selfies and photo ops: Radio Futures: I Spy Radio (Let’s Send a Selfie in Wavetown PDF)
- Selfies and photo ops: Exploring Tools - Dress Up Like a Nanoscientist activity
- National Aviation Day (August 19)
- National Radio Day (August 20)
- World Mosquito Day (August 20)
- Frankenstein Day (August 30)
- Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born on August 30, 1797; she wrote the novel Frankenstein in 1816, and published it in 1818
- Frankenstein200 kit of activities
FALL
SEPTEMBER
- Read a New Book Month (September)
- National Workforce Development Month (September)
- National Preparedness Month (September)
- National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
- Cloud Appreciation Day (September 12)
- National Coloring Day (September 14)
- International Microorganism Day (September 17)
- International Observe the Moon Night (September 19, 2026)
- National Pollution Prevention Week (P2 Week) (third week in September)
- International Coastal Cleanup Day (third Saturday in September)
- Fall Equinox (September 22 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)
- NISE Network Moon resources
- NASA Space Place seasons resources
- International Day of Scientific Culture / Día Internacional de la Cultura Científica (September 28)
- Worldwide Day of Play (September 26, 2026)
- National Public Lands Day (September 26, 2026)
NATIONAL MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
- ASTC List of Conferences in the Community
Learn more - Astronomy@250, Astro Society, August 27-29, 2026, virtual
Learn more - National Rural STEM Summit, September 3-4, 2026, Glendale, AZ
Learn more - ASTC Conference, September 16-19, 2026, Phoenix, AZ
Learn more - Polar STEAM Summit, October 1-3, 2026, Corvallis, OR
Learn more - Association of Children's Museums (ACM) InterActivity, May 12-14, 2027, Tulsa, OK
Learn more - National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conferences
Learn more