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Through hands-on activities, visitors learn how inkjet printers produce tiny, precise drops of ink. They examine printed paper with magnifying glasses, see a few demonstrations of how liquids behave differently at the small scale, and see an explosive demonstration of...

"Exploring Materials - Thin Films" is a hands-on activity in which visitors create a colorful bookmark using a super thin layer of nail polish on water. They learn that a thin film creates iridescent, rainbow colors. "Explore Science - Zoom...

A compendium of NanoDays activities and resources from the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network. The NISE Net has created this compendium of all NanoDays activities and resources to enhance partner's ability to continue to host NanoDays events and strengthen local...

Light microscope image of polyethylene, a common plastic. • SIZE: Image taken at 40x. • IMAGING TOOL: Light Microscope

In this episode of O Wow Moments from the Children’s Museum of Houston, Mr. O is up against the supervillain Dr. Blot and his desire to stain everyone! Actually, it's just a fun excuse to examine how nanotechnology and nanoscale...

"Exploring Products - Nano Fabric" is a hands-on activity exploring how the application of nano-sized whiskers can protect clothing from stains. Visitors investigate the hydrophobic properties of pants made from nano fabric and ordinary fabric.

Scanning electron microscope image of synthetic tape. • SIZE: Scale bar representes 100 µm • IMAGING TOOL: Table-top Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

"Nanotechnology: Small Science, Big Impact!" provides an overview of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology, and includes a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations.

During the winter of 2011, SMM survey associates and NISE Exhibits Team members collected a range of data on the mini-exhibition on the floor at SMM. This included interviews with visitors in January, and observations in January and March. The...

These 16 articles offer a gentle introduction to nano science and technology, and can be used as marketing pieces for discussing nano with the press during NanoDays or other nano event promotion.

This program describes a weeklong summer camp for high school students. The camp does not assume any previous knowledge of the field and thus is open to students from all backgrounds. It is hands‐on; application based and also gives a...

"Exploring Materials - Graphene" is a hands-on activity in which visitors use tape and graphite to make graphene and test the conductivity of graphite. They learn that graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern....

Transmission Electron Microscope image of nanoparticles of ferrofluid. • SIZE: The nanoparticles in the image are about 15-20 nanometers across. Scale bar representes 20 nm. • IMAGING TOOL: Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

This program demonstrates the importance of scale (macro vs. micro vs. nano) and surface features in materials science and nanotechnology. Visitors will examine three different slides macroscopically (with their eyes) and microscopically (with a microscope). Each of the three slides...

"Exploring Properties - Electric Squeeze" is a hands on activity in which visitors investigate the properties of piezoelectric materials. They learn that piezoelectric materials have the special property to create electricity when their shape is changed and that when electricity...

SmallTalk is a podcast series chatting about nanotechnology with leading scientists, thinkers, artists, writers, and visionaries, and look at quirky nanoscience stories in the news. Dr. Stephanie Chasteen, of the Exploratorium’s Teacher Institute, hosted this series in 2007. Podcase Episodes:...

The NISE Network content map articulates the key ideas for our educational products, including programs, exhibits, and media experiences. It presents the content knowledge the network has identified as the most important for engaging the public in learning about nanoscale...

This hands-on activity will guide you in making a synthetic gecko tape with micron sized hairs that mimics that behavior of the gecko foot. The process is called "nanomolding." Also described is an easy setup using Legos for testing how...

"Exploring Materials - Stained-Glass Windows" is a hands-on activity in which visitors use contact paper and colored tissue paper to create a "stained-glass" window. They learn that real stained-glass windows use nanoparticles to create some of the colors in the...

This is a portable table-top bilingual (English/ Spanish) exhibition designed for outreach. The exhibition invites visitors to explore the secrets of nanotechnology in settings such as community fairs and science festivals. All components were designed and developed to be easily...

Oleophobic Surfaces - Anti-Graffiti Demo is a hands on cart demonstration for spontaneous, 3-10 minute interactions with visitors. The visitors will explore several surfaces that display oleophobic properties due to material science research at the nano scale. Coatings can preserve,...

Atomic Force Microcope image (false color) of polyethylene, a common plastic. • SIZE: Scale bar representes 2 µm • IMAGING TOOL: Atomic Force Microscope

A collection of short articles that highlight various topics in the field of nanotechology.

"Exploring Products - Liquid Crystal Displays" is a hands-on activity in which visitors investigate temperature-sensitive liquid crystal sheets and liquid crystal displays from a calculator. They learn that liquid crystals change color as a result of nanoscale shifts in the...

"Exploring Nano & Society - Invisibility Cloak" is a hands-on activity in which visitors learn about refraction and how it can be used to make a glass stir rod "disappear" in a cup of baby oil. They also learn how...