FEBRUARY 2026
NETWORK NEWS
Happy Valentine's Day
We hope the love—and the science puns—are brightening your day. If you are looking for the perfect science-themed card, check out these free downloadable cards from:
- NASA & NASA Space Place
- US Department of Energy
- NOAA Valentine cards
- US Fish & Wildlife Service
Smithsonian Gardens Valentine cards
New Report examines National Science Foundation broader Impacts
A newly released report from the Study Group examines broader impacts and media coverage of the National Science Foundation (NSF) 75th anniversary from January 2025-January 2026.
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
• Museums Share Experiences Participating in STEM Learning Ecosystems
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
2-3pm Eastern
Learn more and register
• Finding and Collaborating with NASA Experts - Solar System Ambassadors and Night Sky Network
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
2-3pm Eastern
Learn more and register
• Library Collaborations to Engage Local Public Audiences
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
2-3pm Eastern
Learn more and register
FEATURED ON THE WEBSITE
Professional Learning Resources:
• Talking with Children about Tragic Events in the News
Parents, caregivers, and educators can all play an important role in helping children recover from exposure to tragic events in the news as well as traumatic experiences. Navigating these conversations isn't easy, but these resources can be helpful for both children and adults.
Lunar Eclipse
(March 2-3, 2026):
The lunar eclipse will be visible throughout North America if the sky is clear.
Check for exact timing for your location at https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/
Lunar eclipse resources
nisenet.org/lunareclipse
Recent Publications:
• Uniting Under the Eclipse: A Mega-Collaboration to Activate Science Learning Across the Penumbra and Beyond has been published in the Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society (BAAS). The paper describes how NASA's Science Activation (SciAct) program collaborated to reach learners across the nation during the 2023-24 solar eclipses.
Learn more
More publications:
nisenet.org/publications
Online Workshop Recordings:
• Young People Co-creating STEM Engagement Projects
(recorded 2-3-26)
Learn more
• How to Be a Part of 2.50 Million Acts of Science with SciStarter
(recorded 1-13-26)
Learn more
• The Climate Action Playbook - Resources Focused on the Developmental Needs of Early Learners
(recorded 12-2-25)
Learn more
• Co-Creating with Communities - Inspiring Partner Stories
(recorded 10-28-25)
Learn more
• DIY NASA Exhibits with Earth Information Center & ViewSpace
(recorded 10-7-25)
Learn more
• More online workshop recordings
Navigating Changing Federal Priorities:
Resources to help your organization navigate changing federal priorities for STEM, public engagement, and education.
Learn more
United States 250th “Semiquincentennial”
Resources to help plan relevant programming for the United States' 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial)
nisenet.org/america250
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
PARTNER HIGHLIGHT
Montana State University’s Quantum Education and Outreach
When our team was asked to lead quantum education and workforce development efforts for Montana State University’s new Applied Quantum CORE (QCORE), the first place I turned was the NISE Network,” said Suzi Taylor, Director of MSU’s Science Math Resource Center. “Having past experience with NanoDays, I knew that we would find clear messaging and hands-on activities to help us convey concepts that are key to both nano and quantum, such as scale and ‘small is different.’"
Learn more
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tactile Panels of Uranus
The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) is offering tactile panels (12" x 12") of the first images of Uranus by the James Webb Space Telescope at no cost to museums, science centers, libraries, and other sites of informal learning in the United States.
Learn more
Science Across America - Opportunity for Libraries
As America celebrates its 250-year anniversary in 2026, STAR Net has launched a new campaign to help libraries highlight the history of scientific achievement in our country and the local connections to science in our communities.
Learn more
Moments That Made US
Customizable Exhibition Panels
As part of the commemoration of America’s 250th, Moments That Made US is a free, customizable, print-on-demand exhibition exploring defining moments in U.S. history. Developed as an exhibition at the History Colorado Center and adapted for sharing through a multi-state collaboration, the exhibition will feature 21 modular, ready-to-use panels with the option to add local content. Materials are free to download so the only cost is printing and mounting in your space.
• Fill out the interest form
• Download the user guide
Rural Place-Based Learning Opportunity
Desert Dialogues is an 18-month hybrid program for rural museum teams in the West (CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, or WY) who want to reimagine their work through collaborative, community-centered practice. The High Desert Museum invites teams of 2–3 people to join monthly virtual sessions, two multi-day workshops in Bend, Oregon, and hands-on support to design and implement a program in their own community. Travel expenses are covered and a $2,500 stipend is provided. Applications are due March 31.
Learn more
Citizen Science Month
During April and in celebration of America’s 250th birthday in 2026, SciStarter will rally thousands of volunteers worldwide to complete 2.50 Million Acts of Science. SciStarter is looking for libraries and museums to host events.
Learn more
STEM Learning Journeys Opportunity
In partnership with Verizon™, STEM Next has launched a new set of free resources designed for afterschool programs. Programs that complete one of the Learning Journeys focused on Nature & Sustainability can also qualify for a stipend of up to $1,500, based on youth participation
Learn more
NNOCCI Upcoming Trainings
The National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI) has set training dates for the calendar year ranging from one hour to longer format online courses.
Learn more
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS
NEUROSCIENCE NEWS
Reflecting on the past year’s advancements in neuroscience, one standout is the recently FDA-approved vagus nerve stimulation device used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The device uses pulses of electricity to suppress inflammation and joint pain.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Brain and neuroscience resources
• Vaccine resources
GENETICS NEWS
Scientists examining a 14,000-year-old Siberian wolf’s stomach contents, have been able to sequence the DNA of one of the last known woolly rhinos, a horned ice giant that lived alongside mammoths.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Building with Biology: Introduction to Synthetic Biology and Society Video
HEALTH NEWS
A study of 25 million Medicare participants adds to a body of evidence suggesting that prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke is more harmful to human health than other forms of air pollution. The research suggests smoke from wildfires may be responsible for 17,000 strokes each year in the United States.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Air quality resources
• Health resources
SPACE NEWS
Four NASA astronauts will soon travel around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA's path to establishing a long-term presence at the Moon for science and exploration through Artemis. The 10-day flight will help confirm systems and hardware needed for early human lunar exploration missions. The launch is planned to take place between February and April.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
ENGINEERING NEWS
Many new robots advances debuted at the recent CES tradeshow (formerly Consumer Electronics Show). This year’s robots featured many humanoid robots with new AI features designed for home use.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Engineering and robot resources
• Exploring the Universe: Pack a Space Telescope
NANOTECHNOLOGY NEWS
Scientists have created “unsinkable” metal tubes that always stay afloat; these could be used for resilient ships, floating platforms, and renewable energy. By etching micro- and nano-pits on the surface of the interior of the aluminum tubes, the tubes become superhydrophobic, repelling water and staying dry. The superhydrophobic surface traps a stable bubble of air inside the tube, which prevents the tube from getting waterlogged and sinking.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• NISE Network water resources
• NanoDays activities
• NISE Network Size, Scale, & Measurement resources
BIOLOGY & CHEMISTRY NEWS
"Mirror life" refers to synthetic organisms built from mirror-image molecules, with reversed chirality or handedness from natural molecules. Scientists continue to warn that these “evil twins” could have profound catastrophic impacts on society.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Chemistry Makes Scents
• Chemistry resources
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION NEWS
The annual "Dance Your Ph.D." contest is again accepting submissions. If you missed the 2025 winners, here are some videos of the 2025 winners to brighten your day.
Watch now
FUTURES NEWS
Many of the sci-fi technologies imagined decades ago are now part of everyday life. As a result, a new generation of tech professionals and creators is building careers that were once only possible in stories.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Futures thinking activities
• Science fiction activities
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
Winter
- NISE Network Snowflakes: Nano at its Coolest program
- NISE Network Exploring Fabrication - Self-Assembly program
- NISE Network water resources including ice and snow
February
- What’s Up Skywatching Tips from NASA
- Black History Month / African-American History Month (February)
- NASA Modern Figures Toolkit
- African Americans in Science and Technology internet resources from the Library of Congress
- Black Lives in Astronomy: A Resource Guide compiled by Andrew Fraknoi
- Celebrating Black Innovators poster from SPIE the international society for optics and photonics
- HistoryMakers ScienceMakers biographies and oral histories of African American scientists
- Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture Black History Month toolkit
- Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture Talking about Race
- PBS African American Quotation posters
- Winter Olympics (February)
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11)
- National Inventors Day (February 11)
- Inspire and encourage young inventors; February 11 is the birthday of the inventor Thomas Alva Edison
- National Inventors Hall of Fame list of inductees
- NISE Network engineering resources
- Digital Learning Day (February 12, 2026)
- World Radio Day (February 13)
- Great Backyard Bird Count (mid-February) (February 13–16, 2026)
- Some bird feathers (such as peacock feathers) are iridescent due to nano-sized structures within the feathers
- NISE Network biomimicry resources including iridescence
- Valentine's Day (February 14)
- Galileo Day (February 15th)
- National Battery Day (February 18)
- Engineers Week (Third week in February)
MARCH
- Women's History Month (March)
- Severe Weather Awareness Weeks (March, dates vary by state)
- World Futures Day - Young Voices (March 1)
- Dr. Seuss Day (March 2)
- Exploring Materials - Oobleck activity
- Oobleck gets its name from the Dr. Seuss book Bartholomew and the Oobleck where a gooey green substance, Oobleck, fell from the sky and wreaked havoc in the kingdom
- `Horton Senses Something Small activity
- Horton Hears a Who! Storytime activity
- NISE Network books, reading, and storytelling
- World Wildlife Day (March 3)
- World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (March 4)
- Groundwater Awareness Week (March 8-14, 2026)
- Brain Awareness Week (March 16-22, 2026)
- Lunar Eclipse (March 13-14, 2025)
- The lunar eclipse will be visible throughout North America if the sky is clear. Check for exact timing for your location at https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/
- NISE Network Lunar eclipse resources
- International Day of Mathematics (March 14)
- Pi Day (March 14)
- Pi Day is celebrated on March 14 (3-14) to commemorate the mathematical constant π (pi). Pi is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, and is approximately 3.14159.
- NASA Pi Day Challenge
- NASA 10 ways to Celebrate Pi Day
- What’s Up Skywatching Tips from NASA
- NISE Network size, scale, & measurement resources
- Howtosmile.org Pi activities
- National Learn about Butterflies Day (March 14)
- Spring Equinox (March 20 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)
- NASA Space Place seasons resources
- NISE Network Moon resources
- World Water Day (March 22)
- World Meteorology Day (March 23)
- National Ag Day (March 24, 2026)
- National AI Literacy Day (March 27, 2026)
- Earth Hour (March 28, 2026)
- NanoDays (March 28-April 5, 2026)
NATIONAL MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
- ASTC List of Conferences in the Community
Learn more - Association of Children's Museums (ACM) InterActivity, April 21-23, 2026, San Diego, CA
Learn more - American Alliance of Museums 2026 AAM Annual Meeting May 20-23, 2026, Philadelphia, PA
Learn more - Science Events Summit, May 31 - June 2, 2026 Jackson, MS
Learn more - National Rural STEM Summit, August 26-29, 2026, Fort McDowell, AZ
Learn more - ASTC Conference, September 16-19, 2026, Phoenix, AZ
Learn more - National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conferences
Learn more