NETWORK NEWS
Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry kit announcements
The two-hundred and fifty (250) recipients of the 2019 Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry kit will be notified of their award status in July. Let's Do Chemistry events will be taking place nationwide between October and December, with many hosting activities and events during National Chemistry Week (October 21-27) celebrating "Chemistry is Out of This World." Digital kits will also be available for download in September
Lights, Camera, Chemistry: Sneak peak at Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry training videos with special guest, Chemistry Cat
The Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry kit and resources are currently in the final stages of fabrication, including the production of eleven training videos designed to help staff and volunteers facilitate hands-on chemistry activities for visitors of all ages. See video sneak peak
Application now open for 2019 Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkit
Submit your application now for a physical Explore Science: Earth and Space 2019 toolkit that includes activities designed for use in children's museums, science centers and museums, public planetariums and observatories, and NASA visitor centers in the U.S. Activities are designed for family audiences with a range of experiences appropriate for visitors ages 4 through adult. Applications are due November 1, 2019. Learn more about 2019 toolkit and how to apply
Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition notifications coming soon
Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition applicants will be contacted individually later during the month of July; a list of awarded locations will be announced during the month of August.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Upcoming online workshops: Staying connected to the Network and community
NISE Network runs a series of free online workshops to increase the number of professional development opportunities available to our partners, and to create more channels for partners to share their work and learn from each other directly. View full details for upcoming online workshops at http://www.nisenet.org/events.
Girl Scouts and STEM: New Space Science Badges and Opportunities to Connect with Earth and Space Toolkits
Tuesday, August 21, 2018; 11am-12pm Pacific / 2pm-3pm Eastern - Sign up
The Girl Scouts have announced a new set of Space Science Daisy, Brownie, and Junior badges that will be released in August 2018. Join us to learn more about the Girl Scouts STEM strategy and their new badges, and how science museums can successfully partner with their local Girl Scout troop...read more
Explore Science: Let’s Do Chemistry Kit & Celebrate National Chemistry Week (October 21-27, 2018)!
Tuesday, September 11, 2018; 11am-12pm Pacific / 2pm-3pm Eastern - Sign up
Join this workshop discussion for an overview of what's inside the Explore Science: Let’s Do Chemistry kit, including a look at the hands-on activities and professional development materials and resources. Presenters will also offer tips for hosting events during National Chemistry Week...read more
FEATURED ON THE WEBSITE
Online Workshop: Be Prepared: Safety Tips and Reminders for Museums Running Public Events, Including National Chemistry Week and Earth and Space Events (Recorded)
Hear from one guest presenter from the American Chemical Society's Committee on Chemical Safety about the "RAMP" process for planning science activities and events. Network partners also discussed safety protocols and resources built into the Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry kit, as well as safety planning for events ranging in size from small demos to large-scale festivals. View the recording and resources from the 6-12-2018 online workshop
PARTNER HIGHLIGHT
From NanoDays Kits and a Building with Biology Public Forum, to Kicking-off the Statewide Tennessee STEAM Festival, Collaboration is the Key!
By Preston MacDougall, Middle Tennessee State University
Late October has always meant trips to elementary schools to celebrate National Chemistry Week for Preston MacDougall, Professor of Chemistry at Middle Tennessee State University. Beginning with the NISE Network's NanoDays kits, Professor MacDougall has been introducing kids to chemistry and nanoscale science concepts through hands-on activities. Along the way, Professor MacDougall expanded his outreach efforts by collaborating with the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring in hosting, what has now become, their annual NanoDays events, and more recently hosted a Science Cafe (sponsored by the Nashville Section of the American Chemical Society) followed by a Building with Biology public forum on whether we "Should Engineer the Mosquito?" For the novelty and impact of this event, the Nashville Section was awarded a 2016 American Chemical Society ChemLuminary Award! This past October, MacDougall once again collaborated with the Discovery Center for the inaugural Tennessee STEAM Festival, which reached over 10,000 Tennesseans of all ages and backgrounds, and hopes to engage public audiences in chemistry hands-on activities during the 2nd Tennessee STEAM Festival this fall that will partially overlap with National Chemistry Week. Read full Partner Highlight to read more about how collaborations have been a key to great success
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS
Earth and Space News
NASA marks Apollo's 50th Anniversary
From October 2018 through December 2022, NASA is celebrating the Apollo Program that landed dozens of Americans on the moon between July 1969 and December 1972. Recently unveiled is the Apollo 50th anniversary logo, which celebrates past accomplishments and future space missions. Read more about the Apollo Program
Happy Birthday, NASA. 60 years and counting!
For six decades, NASA's explorations, discoveries, and advances in research have reached beyond Earth and into the Universe. "The next decades promise even more adventures only science fiction writers could dream of and only NASA and its partners will accomplish." Read more about NASA's 60th anniversary
NASA announces new launch dates for Parker Solar Probe and James Webb Space Telescope
With a new launch data no earlier than August 4th, the Parker Solar Probe is undergoing final software testing of spacecraft systems in order to study the Sun's corona and investigation of its solar wind. Before flying within 4 million miles of the Sun's surface, this spacecraft will make several flybys of Venus between now and 2024, gradually getting closer and closer to the Sun. Read more about the Parker Solar Probe
NASA has also established a new launch date for the James Webb Telescope of March 30, 2021. Learn more about James Webb launch
Chemistry News
How does the color of a glass bottle affect the beer inside?
Light being able to penetrate a beer bottle might not seem like a big deal but it can cause chemical reactions in beer that can affect its taste. Molecules from hops are vulnerable to light and when broken down, resulting molecules sometimes create compounds similar in structure and makeup responsible for a skunks distinctive odor. Watch short video to learn more
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
NNOCCI introductory in-person workshops this October in Oregon
Sign up for an introductory National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI) workshop to learn the basics of communicating climate change with public audiences and empower visitors to act on climate issues. Upcoming workshops include:
- October 12, 2018 in Portland, OR - Learn more
- October 19, 2018 in Bend, OR - Learn more
NISE Network ventures into planetarium conferences
This past June, the NISE Network attended the combined Southeastern Planetarium Association (SEPA) / Western Alliance Conference (WAC) Conference hosted by The Sharpe Planetarium in The Pink Palace. This was a great opportunity to meet new planetarium partners, reconnect with current ones, and share the Network's free resources around Earth and space topics. The Network is looking forward to attending the upcoming Great Lakes Planetarium Association (GLPA) Conference in October in East Lansing, Michigan. Read more
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 http://www.nisenet.org/seasons/. Check out upcoming opportunities below.
July
World Brain Day (July 22) (more World Brain Day background)
Sun and Sand
- Water Roll hands-on SustainABLE activity
- Nano Ice Cream program
- Invisible Sunblock program
- Magic Sand/Nanosurfaces program
- Exploring Products - Sunblock program
- Fun outdoor group activity: Ready, Set, Self-Assemble group program
- Why are Seashells so Strong? program
NASA's Night Sky Network - What's up for July 2018
Learn about astronomical events taking place this month
NASA's Museum Alliance resources - Human Exploration & Operations 2018
This year-long series of monthly topics will focus on extending human presence in the solar system and include outreach materials that can be used in your organization's programs and exhibits. Celebrate NASA's 60th Anniversary
National Chemistry Week (NCW) (October 21 - 27)
This year's theme is Chemistry is Out of this World. The American Chemical Society's NCW resources will be available online August 1st. Learn more and start planning
MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2018 National Meeting & Exposition
August 13 - 23, 2018; Boston, MA
The theme for this meeting is Nanoscience, Nanotechnology & Beyond. Call for papers now open
Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference 2018
September 29 - October 2, 2018; Hartford, CT
Learn more about ASTC 2018
Association of Children's Association (ACM) Interactivity 2019
May 8 - 11, 2019; Denver, CO
Conference theme is FearLESS; Session proposal deadline July 31, 2018
