NOVEMBER 2025
NETWORK NEWS
Now Available: Co-creating with Communities Project Videos
The Co-creating with Communities project brings together educators, community members, and subject matter experts to co-create opportunities to learn about NASA science in ways that are locally relevant and inclusive of everyone. These seven new videos feature partnerships in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Mesa, Arizona; Houston, Texas; Brownsville, Texas; Bay Area, California; and San Diego & San Ysidro, California. In addition to highlighting the transformative work being done locally in these communities, there is also a four-minute video that provides a brief overview of the project, principles and the importance of co-creation work.
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
• Online Workshop: The Climate Action Playbook - Resources Focused on the Developmental Needs of Early Learners
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
2-3pm Eastern
Join us for an introduction to The Climate Action Playbook, a new developmental framework created to help informal education organizations approach this topic in developmentally appropriate ways. This resource offers practical guidance for caregivers and education professionals, blending expertise from climate psychology, neuroscience, equity, early childhood, nature education, and climate science. The Playbooks can help you communicate and design programs to support children eight and under—and the adults who love them—in building compassion & empathy, climate knowledge, agency, and hope for a bright climate future.
Learn more and register
• Online Workshop: How to Be a Part of 2.50 Million Acts of Science with SciStarter
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
2-3pm Eastern
Are you interested in being a part of a global effort to engage the public in 2.50 Million Acts of Science during April 2026? Then join us as we welcome SciStarter for a discussion about how to get involved in Acts of Science: CONNECTED. SciStarter is providing everything you need to make it easy to connect your community directly with real research, all while contributing to 2.50 million Acts of Science in one month to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Learn more and register
• Online Workshop: Young People Co-creating STEM Engagement Projects
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
2-3pm Eastern
Join us as we explore the intersection of co-creation, positive youth development, and futures thinking. During this online workshop, we will hear from partners who have developed and implemented a variety of programs, exhibits and games that have empowered youth to help shape the future for their communities. Presenters will discuss strategies for working with young people, including how to build their confidence to engage the public in science exploration and how to create a sense of ownership, belonging, and STEM identity.
Learn more and register
Upcoming Conferences - AGU
Are you attending American Geophysical Union (AGU) New Orleans, December 15-19, 2025? Connect with NISE Network projects at sessions.
Learn more
Recent Conferences - STEM Ecosystems
It was so good to connect with people at the recent STEM Ecosystems convening in Washington DC. All attendees were able to participate in conversations with the What is Learning conversation starter activity during the meeting.
FEATURED ON THE WEBSITE
New Professional Learning Resources:
• What Values Do You Share? Conversation Starter
Successful collaborative plans and actions are grounded in values. Values shape the behavior and decision-making of an organization or collaborative group. This activity is designed to help people working together consider how their efforts align with their values and share what values are important for them, their organizations, and their community.
Online Workshop Recordings:
• DIY NASA Exhibits with Earth Information Center & ViewSpace
(recorded 10-7-25)
Learn more
• Co-Creating with Communities - Inspiring Partner Stories
(recorded 10-28-25)
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
Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum of Albuquerque Uses the What is Learning Conversation Starter Cards in Family Programs
Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum of Albuquerque has used kits and activities from The NISE Network for many years, but educators are still finding new and creative ways to use the network’s extensive resources. Explora’s education staff has recently been inspired to incorporate The NISE Network’s What is Learning Conversation Starter deck into family programs during the school year.
Learn more
Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Center in Kalamazoo Wins State Grant to Launch Making Space in Michigan, a New Aerospace Career and Education Initiative
The Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Center has been awarded an $819,200 grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (MI-LEO) 2025 Community Museum Empowerment Grant program. With this funding the museum will launch Making Space in Michigan, a bold multi-year initiative featuring aerospace career-focused exhibits, programs, and interpretation designed to fuel Michigan’s future workforce.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
ASTC Seeding Action and iNaturalist Cohort
Organizations who are ASTC and Seeding Action members are invited to apply for up to $20,000 to undertake new or expanded projects that leverage the iNaturalist app to encourage local action. Applications are due December 19, 2025.
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
Register for Jannuary 13th online workshop
Afterschool Alliance Report
The Afterschool Alliance has released the new edition of the America After 3PM report providing insights about children and families during the hours of 3 to 6 p.m. after school hours.
Learn more
AAM Museums Report
The American Alliance of Museums has released its new report 2025 Annual National Snapshot of United States Museums tracking key museum metrics.
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
A team of engineers has created an artificial neuron that could directly communicate with living cells. The artificial neuron is powered by a protein nanowire synthesized from the remarkable bacteria Geobacter sulfurreducens, which also has the superpower of producing electricity.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Brain and neuroscience resources
• NanoDays activities
• NISE Network Size, Scale, & Measurement resources
GENETICS NEWS
Colossal Biosciences claims to have created dire wolves through genetic engineering of gray wolves using CRISPR. The Wildlife Society asks what this means for wildlife management and if they will be released into the wild?
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Storming the Castle Museum Theater Show
• Building with Biology: Introduction to Synthetic Biology and Society Video
HEALTH NEWS
For the first time in six years, New York has confirmed a locally acquired case of the mosquito-borne illness chikungunya virus.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Should We Engineer the Mosquito? Forum
• Health resources
SPACE NEWS
NASA will share long-awaited images of interstellar object 3I/ATLAS taken during the comet's close flyby of Mars. Comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered this year by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) observatory is only the third object ever identified as entering our solar system from elsewhere in the galaxy.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Asteroids and Meteorite resources
SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
Engineers in Australia have developed a new building material with about one quarter of concrete’s carbon footprint; this innovative material, called cardboard-confined rammed earth, is composed entirely of cardboard, water and soil.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
ENGINEERING NEWS
A new parachute concept inspired by kirigami, the Japanese art of paper folding and cutting, has possible applications including humanitarian missions to deliver emergency supplies as well as space exploration.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Engineering and robot resources
• Exploring the Universe: Pack a Space Telescope
RADIO NEWS
Civil aviation and maritime operators face a growing threat from GPS signal interference (GPS jamming and spoofing) that can disrupt satellite navigation and put safety at risk. GPS interference has spread from conflict zones into civilian air routes in Europe and the Middle East, raising concerns that US operations could soon be affected as well.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Making Waves with Radio kit
• Electromagnetic Spectrum
NANOTECHNOLOGY NEWS
Scientists are developing tiny, magnetically guided beads packed with lifesaving medications that can travel through blood vessels to help break down blockages that can cause strokes. Nanoparticles are added to the beads for X-ray tracking.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Engineering and robot resources
• NanoDays activities
• NISE Network Size, Scale, & Measurement resources
BIOLOGY & CHEMISTRY NEWS
Scientists have been voicing concerns over the creation of "mirror life," synthetic organisms made from mirror-image molecules with reversed handedness than molecules that occur in nature. . Despite the possibility of improving drugs and other innovations, scientists argue that mirror life would pose a great risk to ecosystems and human health.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
• Chemistry Makes Scents
• Chemistry resources
CLIMATE AND WEATHER NEWS
The UN Climate Change Conference (COP 30) has been taking place this month in Brazil and has focused on moving from pledges to action. A key process issue has been the current approach to have decisions made by consensus of nearly 200 countries.
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
SCIENCE NEWS
Now that the 2025 Nobel Prizes have been awarded, learn more about each of the awards with these digestible summaries of the science behind each of the awards.
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SCIENCE COMMUNICATION NEWS
Dr. Jane Goodall connected humanity and nature in unprecedented ways. Dr. Jane Goodall’s final message to the world: “I want to make sure that you all understand that each and every one of you has a role to play. You may not know it, you may not find it, but your life matters and you are here for a reason.”
Learn 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: nisenet.org/seasons
Year-long 2025
- International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ)
- National Science Foundation's 75th anniversary
- Planetarium Centennial
November
- What’s Up Skywatching Tips from NASA
- Native American Heritage Month / American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month (November)
- World Tsunami Awareness Day (November 5)
- National STEM/STEAM Day (November 8)
- the date is a play on words, when spoken Nov8 sounds like "innovate"
- NISE Network STEAM activities
- International Day of Radiology & World Radiography Day (November 8)
- The date marks the anniversary of the discovery of X-Rays by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895
- International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technicians resources
- Society of Radiography resources
- World Science Day for Peace and Development (November 10) & International Science Center and Science Museum Day (November 10)
- America Recycles Day (November 15)
- Pride in STEM Day (November 18) & International Day of LGBTQIA+ People in STEM (November 18)
- Geography Awareness Week 2025 (Third week of November) (November 17-21, 2025)
- GIS Day (Third Wednesday of November) (November 19, 2025)
- World Toilet Day (November 19)
- World Children's Day (November 20)
- Fibonacci Day (November 23)
- November 23 (11/23) is the date of Fibonacci Day because the first series of numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are 1, 1, 2, and 3
- NISE Network size, scale, & measurement resources
- Howtosmile.org fibonacci activities
- Society of Women Engineers suggestions to celebrate
- Thanksgiving (last Thursday in November)
- Turkey breast feathers are iridescent due to nano-sized structures within the feathers
- NISE Network biomimicry resources including iridescence
- NISE Network butterfly resources including iridescence
- "Black Friday" Shopping Day - (Friday after Thanksgiving)
- Black Hole Friday (last Friday in November)
December
- What’s Up Skywatching Tips from NASA
- World Futures Day (December 2)
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3)
- Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) (second Week in December) (December 8-14, 2025)
- Wright Brothers Day (December 17)
- Games Day (December 20)
- Winter Solstice (December 21 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
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 - 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