Projects

The NISE Network generates, develops, implements, and collaborates on projects that strengthen informal STEM learning in communities across the United States.

NISE Network projects and partners bring people together to engage in STEM, understand our world, and build a better future for everyone.

One page summary of projects

Quick summaries of NISE Network projects are available for download.

Funders

The NISE Network's affiliated projects are generously supported by the our funders. Without their vital support these efforts would not be possible. We sincerely thank our funders for their generous support.

Our funding sources and disclaimers are available on our Project Funding Acknowledgements Page

Adult and young child with water droppers using Early Explorations activity.

Early Childhood STEAM Partnerships

Years: 2025-2029

Toolkit of professional learning resources and hands-on activities for museums and community-based early childhood programs supporting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) learning for children ages 0-5

SciAct Connections

Years: 2026

SciAct Connections for All Americans: Leveraging a National Network for NASA SMD Earth and Space Science Engagement and Education (“SciAct Connections”) advances the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) vision for education by providing essential professional development, access to evidence-informed resources and NASA assets, and communications to informal learning organizations and their local learning ecosystems

Co-creating with Communities

Years: 2022-2027

Through two complementary NASA-funded projects, the NISE Network increased the capacity of informal educators to work with local communities to co-create opportunities to learn about NASA science in ways that are locally relevant and inclusive of everyone

Making Waves With Radio

Years: 2020-2025

Hands-on activities, mobile apps, and camp curriculum to support informal educators engaging public audiences on the science, technologies, and societal implications behind radio wave communications

Voyage through the Solar System

Years: 2021-2024

Toolkit of hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities based on NASA's continuing pursuit of human exploration of the Moon and Mars and a mobile app that launches users further into the solar system

Products include:

DIY Sun Science App
Voyage through the Solar System kit (applications due May 15, 2023)

Changing Brains

Years: 2018-2022

An evolving project to empower public and professional audiences to experience, talk about, and reflect on personal, community, and societal connections of brain research and related technologies

STEM Learning Ecosystems

Years: 2021-2026

Investigating the principles and practices that can help these intentional community-wide partnerships succeed

Space and Earth Informal STEM Education (SEISE)

STEM engagement materials and professional resources exploring authentic Earth and space science; this project developed Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkits and Sun, Earth Universe exhibitions and related professional development

Years: 2016-2022

Products include:

Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkits Hands-on activities and professional resources
Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition for museums
- Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition components and materials
- Sun, Earth, Universe companion mobile website
Making Earth & Space Science More Relevant and Inclusive resources

Moon Adventure Game project

Years: 2019-2022

STEM educational game that immerses players in scenarios related to lunar science and exploration

Products include:

Moon Adventure Game

Build a Mars Habitat

Years: 2020-2023

Hands-on exhibit component exploring how humans will survive and thrive on Mars

The exhibit has been added to the 52 copies of the Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition located throughout the United States

Sustainability in Science and Technology Museums

Years: 2016-2017 and 2019-2023

Public programs, hands-on activities, professional resources, and a fellowship program for museum professionals, all related to sustainability science and practice

Products include:

Sustainability resources for professionals at museums and cultural organizations
Sustainable Futures collection of public programs
SustainABLE kit of hands-on activities

Citizen Science, Civics, and Resilient Communities

Years: 2020-2021

Forums and citizen science projects about resilience planning related to heat waves, sea level rise, extreme precipitation, and drought

Products include:

ChemAttitudes

Years: 2016-2021

Hands-on activities and professional resources about chemistry

Products include:

at home collection teaser for howtosmile.org

Howtosmile At-Home Activities

Years: 2020-2022

NISE Network partner museums creating a new At-Home Activities Framework and a collection of over 300 at-home activities to help museums engage their communities virtually

Products include:

Frankenstein200

Years: 2015-2021

Hands-on activities and professional resources about responsible research and innovation, developed in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the publication of the novel Frankenstein

Products include:

Frankenstein200 kit

Building with Biology

Years: 2014-2017

Hands-on activities and professional resources to encourage conversation about synthetic biology

Products include:

Building with Biology kit of activities and related resources

Complex Adaptive Systems as a Model for Network Evaluation (CASNET)

Years: 2012-2016

Case study research project investigating evaluation capacity building in a network using a complexity theory lens

Products include:

Research reports

Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network

Years: 2005-2017

STEM engagement materials and professional development resources about nanoscale science, engineering, and technology; this large project developed NanoDays kits, Zoom into Nano kits, the Nano mini-exhibition, and many other resources