NETWORK NEWS
Earth & Space Project-Based Professional Learning Community
NISE Network core team members have reviewed applications for the Earth & Space Project-Based Professional Learning Community and are in the process of contacting applicants about their award status. We received applications from all across the U.S. with a wide variety of interesting and inspiring proposed projects. We look forward to featuring some of these projects over the coming year along with many new NISE Network professional learning resources.
Learn more about this project on our website.
Planning to attend the virtual ASTC Conference October 5-7?
Come visit us at the NISE Network virtual booth and attend sessions connected to NISE Network projects. Learn more!
NASA Webb Space Telescope Community Event locations announced
The map and list of selected NASA Webb Space Telescope community events celebrating the launch of the telescope is now available. It is wonderful to see so many NISE Network partners planning to engage the public about the fall launch of the telescope. You can still host an event if you aren't an "official" NASA Webb Community event! Learn more about public engagement resources and how you can participate.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Everyone’s favorite chemistry-related holiday, National Chemistry Week (NCW), is October 17-23, 2021. Join the NISE Network on September 14th, as we welcome members of the American Chemical Society (ACS) for a brief overview of the annual celebration and this year's theme, Fast or Slow…Chemistry Makes It Go! ACS will share resources for engaging your audiences in this celebration as well as discuss how you can partner with experts in your area. We will also be joined by NISE Network partners who will talk about their experiences partnering and plans for engaging audiences in NCW celebrations this year. Come for ideas and insights to start planning your own celebration! Learn more and register
The pandemic has led many museums to develop new types of products and practices. However, with limited social interactions, it can be very difficult to know what our audiences need and whether new products are working as intended. In this online workshop, we will explore a set of resources that anyone can use to improve educational experiences and professional practices even during times of limited social interaction. Learn more and register.
ASTC Conference: October 5-7, 2021
Learn more about ASTC Conference sessions related to NISE Network projects and virtual booth. Learn more
Association of Children’s Museums Interactivity 2022
Call for session proposals - due September 17, 2021
Learn more
PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS
Out of this World Programming: Science Central’s “Mission to Mars” Summer Camp 2021
In mid-July this year, a group of twenty-four campers ages 7-13 years old embarked upon an exciting new mission at Science Central, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A five-day-long summer camp program called “Mission to Mars” featured activities that engaged campers in everything from launching into space to working on the surface of Mars. Learn more.
Creating Virtual Field Trip videos for a virtual audience- Canyon Country Discovery Center in Monticello, UT
Trying to find safe ways to reach their audiences during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canyon Country Discovery Center decided a great way to engage their community was by developing a series of "Virtual Field Trip" videos. While developing their videos the Center's team learned a lot along the way in terms of video production, content, and publishing. Learn more about their successes and tips on first-time video development.
FEATURED ON THE WEBSITE
NISE Network online workshops
View the recordings and resources from recent NISE Net online workshops:
- Engaging audiences in the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope - Part 2 (recorded 8/31/2021)
- From small steps to giant leaps -experiences adapting the Moon Adventure Game for use in camps, with young audiences, and for all humankind! (recorded 6/29/2021)
- Reconnect and re-engage with the NISE Network (recorded 6/8/2021)
- Engaging audiences in the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope - Part 1 (recorded 5/04/2021)
Planning to partner with Girl Scouts?
Check out our compilation of resources for working with Girl Scouts and how to use NISE Network Earth & Space activities to connect to badge requirements
Learn more at nisenet.org/girlscouts.
Planning an event for the launch of NASA’s new telescope?
The Webb Space Telescope is being prepared for launch, if you are thinking of planning a public event, you can find event planning and activity suggestions at nisenet.org/webb.
Planning a National Chemistry Week event in October?
We have compiled a set of resources for finding chemist partners and activity suggestions at nisenet.org/ncw.
- You can also join us for an online workshop on September 14 to hear how other NISE Network partners are preparing for their events. Learn more and register for this free workshop.
Planning a National Chemistry Week event in October?
We have compiled a set of resources for finding chemist partners and activity suggestions at nisenet.org/ncw.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
International Day of Scientific Culture
(September 28)
This day 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 about how you can celebrate.
COVID-19 Coronavirus and Vaccines
Communities for Immunity is an initiative supporting the work of museums and libraries in engaging their communities in COVID-19 vaccine confidence. NISE Network continues to compile resources as the situation with the COVID-19 Coronavirus and Vaccines continues to evolve:
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 Tuesdays at 2-3pm Eastern / 11am-12pm Pacific. View upcoming online workshops at nisenet.org/events.
September 14, 2021
2-3pm ET | 11am-12pm PT
Bust out that Chemistry kit for National Chemistry Week 2021 - Fast or Slow...Chemistry Makes It Go!
Learn more and register
November 16, 2021
2-3pm ET | 11am-12pm PT
Evaluating educational experiences during times of limited social interactions - Adventures in Team-Based Inquiry
Learn more and register
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS
Earth and Space News
NASA announces a new launch date for the James Webb Space Telescope.
A Crucial ocean circulation is showing signs of instability. Currents in the Atlantic Ocean which control temperatures and impact the entire planet's weather system are showing signs of instability due to human-made climate change, scientists say.
Related NASA resources
-NASA visualizations of ocean surface currents
Related NISE Network resources
-NISE Network climate change activities and resources
Chemistry News
New chemistry enables using existing technology to print stretchable, bendable circuits on artificial skin.
Chemists develop skin-like integrated circuits that can be stretched, folded, bent, and twisted which could be used for wearable and implantable products.
Related NISE Network resources
-Dough Creature activity
-Exploring Materials - Graphene activity
Synthetic Biology News
Human genome editing requires difficult conversations between science and society. Many working scientists argue that such advanced technology like CRISPR, demands more robust and thoughtful public engagement if it is to be harnessed to benefit the public without crossing ethical lines.
Related NISE Network resources
-Building with Biology
-Should We Edit the Genome? forum
Nanotechnology News
Novel smart cement can be used to build more durable roads and cities. Incorporating nanomaterials into traditional cement increases the durability of roads and buildings by reducing fracturing.
Related 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 http://www.nisenet.org/seasons/.
September
- What’s Up Skywatching Tips from NASA
- 9/15-10/15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
- Celebrate people in STEM
- NISE Network Spanish Language Translations and Bilingual Resources
- National Park Service resource
- NASA resources
- 9/18: World Cleanup Day
- NISE Network resource: Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry program
- NISE Network resource: What’s in the Water program
- 9/19-24: National Pollution Prevention Week (P2 Week)
- 9/22: Fall Equinox
- 9/28: International Day of Scientific Culture
October
- Campus Sustainability Month
- AASHE resource: Campus Sustainability Month
- NISE Network resource: Sustainable Futures
- 10/4-10/10: Astronomy Week / World Space Week
- World Space Week website
- NISE Network resource: Explore Science: Earth and Space toolkits
- 10/9: National Nano Day
- National Nanotechnology Initiative website
- NISE Network NanoDays activities and resources
- 10/10: Metric Day
- How Small is Nano? book and poster
- How Small is Nano? video
- Exploring Size - Measure Yourself activity
- Exploring Size - Powers of Ten card game
- 10/10-10/16: Earth Science Week (second full week in October)
- 10/16: International Observe the Moon Night
- NASA International Observe the Moon Night website
- NISE Network Moon resources
- 10/17-10/23: National Chemistry Week
- NISE Network National Chemistry Week resource page
- 10/21: Imagine a Day Without Water
- 10/31: Halloween
- NISE Network Halloween resources and activities
NATIONAL MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
Virtual Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) 2021 Annual Conference
October 5-7, 2021
Stay current on ASTC 2021 updates
CAISE InformalScience.org conference calendar
Learn more
National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conferences
Learn more