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Nano Bite: September 2009

Welcome to the September Nano Bite, the monthly e-newsletter for the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net).
What's new in the Network? ASTC Conference!
NISE Net Breakfast
The NISE Net is hosting a breakfast on Monday, November 2nd for staff from institutions who have been involved in the Network. The breakfast will be an opportunity for you to tell us about your experiences, meet other NISE Net collaborators, get a first-hand look at a few of the new things in the development pipeline, and take home some outreach materials as a thank you from us for your work over the year.  Please RSVP here so we can make sure we have enough food and coffee for everyone.  If you're not attending the conference but someone else from your institution is and might like an invitation, please let Juli Goss know (jgoss AT mos DOT org). 
 
Happy Hour
If breakfast is not your thing, you can meet us for drinks and appetizers on Friday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the Library Bar on 611 Houston St as part of the Fort Worth Welcomes You! Receptions.  No need to RSVP, just stop by.
 
Conference Sessions There will be nine sessions related to NISE Net work:
  • Interpreting the Nanoworld through Juggling, Drama, Art, and Media
  • Public Engagement with Science and Technology Policy: How Far Should We Go?
  • Making the Invisible Visible: Visualizing Emerging Science with Artists
  • Dimensions of Public Engagement: Finding Your Footing in a Paradigm Shift
  • Public Impact Results for the Nanoscale Informal Science Education (NISE) Network
  • Creative Programming and Current Science Learning
  • Sustainable Diversity Workshop: Conversation and Tools for Inclusivity
  • Science Alliance: Advancing Science Communication by Bridging Diverse Organizations
  • Public Engagement in Current Science and Global Issues
They're also all listed on the Nano Bite blog with the dates, times, and locations.
 
Live Demo Hour
Frank Kusiak, Keith Ostfeld, and Anders Liljeholm will be doing live demos as part of the Live Demo Hour at 11:00 am on Sunday, November 1 in the Convention Center Auditorium.
 
ASTC Resource Area in the Exhibit Hall
We'll have new nano activities for you to try out, including these: following simple rules to "self-assemble" your group into predetermined shapes; and using your nose as a nano detector, identifying scents hidden inside colored balloons.  We'll also be around to answer more general questions about the NISE Net.
 
What else?
 
Flying Cars!
The long-anticipated "Flying Cars" program is now in the catalog!  You can find the program here, along with a picture of Anders-Liljeholm-of-the-future. 
 
If you're in Seattle and dying to see it in person, Frank Kusiak of the Lawrence Hall of Science will be performing Flying Cars at the Pacific Science Center on Labor Day (Monday, September 7th). We'll also be presenting other nano demos and programs at PSC that day, in collaboration with the Center for Nano and Society at Arizona State University.  The museum presentations are being held in conjunction with the first-ever meeting of the Society for the Study of Nanoscience and Emerging Technologies.  NISE Net staff, together with ASU students and faculty, will be presenting hands-on demos during the opening reception of the meeting and hosting a roundtable discussion about how to effectively integrate the social implications of nanotechnology into programs and presentations for the general public. 
 
Non-NanoDays Things To Do With Your NanoDays Kit
The North Museum of Natural History and Science held an unusual Nanocamp for 11 - 15 year olds this summer as part of their work on the Portal to the Public initiative, with the goal of bringing scientists and public audiences together in face-to-face interactions that promote appreciation and understanding of current science research.  The North Museum used the NanoDays kit to introduce the campers to principles of nanotechnology, followed by a day onsite with scientists and college student researchers at Johns Hopkins University.  The next day the campers facilitated the NanoDays kit materials with museum visitors and shared what they had learned.  Jim also mentioned that they have used their NanoDays kit materials to aid in training their scientists to work with the public effectively.  For more information email Jim Ringlein, Curator of Science, at jringlein AT northmuseum DOT org.
Nano Haiku
Nano, oh nano
With surface area so
Small, but big impact
 
by Keith Ostfeld of the Children's Museum of Houston.