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Changing Colors is an interactive exhibit that shows how some high-tech nanomaterials mimic natural phenomena. Super-small, light-reflecting structures—instead of pigments—on the wings of some butterflies create intense, iridescent colors. Nanoscientists have replicated this effect with layered, super-thin films. Watch the...

Ideas for incorporating current science, engineering, and technology content into holidays, seasons, annual events, and special events: from STEM-themed events like National Chemistry Week and Astronomy Day to holidays like Halloween and Valentine's Day!

These pinhole projector eclipse postcards allow you to safely observe the North American Total Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017. The two sided postcard features a map of the contiguous US and what percentage of the eclipse you’ll see at...

"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 Structures - Butterfly" is a hands-on activity in which visitors investigate how some butterfly wings get their color. They learn that some wings get their color from the nanoscale structures on the wings instead of pigments. "Explore Science -...

In this activity, museum visitors will be exposed to the term ‘Photonic Crystals’. They will see and explore some of the well-known photonic crystals in nature and will also be able observe one method that scientists use in trying to...

Mr. O talks about iridescence and Blue Morpho butterflies in another "O Wow" moment at the Children's Museum of Houston.

The DIY Nano app (for iPhones) and DIY Nano HD (for iPads) allows families to experience and learn about nanoscale science, engineering, and technology at home or on the go! The apps provide free, easy to use, hands-on activities at...

"Exploring Materials - Nano Gold" is a hands-on activity in which visitors discover that nanoparticles of gold can appear red, orange or even blue. They learn that a material can act differently when it’s nanometer-sized.

"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...

Zoom into the natural nanostructures that manipulate light on a Blue Morpho Butterfly! Starting with a normal digital camera, we zoom into the wing of the Blue Morpho using more powerful microscopes. We see the wing underneath an optical microscope,...

"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...

"Making Molecular Movies with QSTORM" is a public presentation that details the on-going interdisciplinary research project of a group of scientists/engineers who are collaborating to make a breakthrough in biological imaging. They are trying to make movies of the molecular...

Nanoscale science and technology ("nano" for short) is all around us and growing rapidly. Explore how nanoscale science impacts even simple, childhood pleasures like blowing bubbles.

The Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network's full collection of do-it-yourself science activities that investigate the nanoscale - the scale of atoms and molecules! These 'Do It Yourself' Nano activities and experiments allow families to experience and learn about nanoscale science,...

These 'Do It Yourself' Nano activities and experiments allow families to experience and learn about nanoscale science, engineering, and technology at home or on the go! They are are designed to be done in the comfort of your own home....

This is a framework for a school field trip of students aged 8 - 11 years. Students learn about nanoscale science and engineering through hands-on activities. The framework is intended to be delivered in a one hour session.

Visitors will engage in activities showing various natural phenomena that scientists and engineers have emulated to address human problems. Visitors view peacock feathers at different angles to see iridescence, apply drops of water to observe the color changes, and look...

Space telescopes can offer us better, clearer views of the universe (and of our own planet) than Earth-based telescopes can, but getting these large, delicate pieces of equipment into orbit is tricky. In "Exploring the Universe: Pack a Space Telescope,"...

In this classroom activity, students learn about organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). During the activity students make OLEDs, learn how OLEDs work, and discover what devices currently use OLEDs. Students also learn about spin coating since a spin coater is used...

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...

This is a recording of a NISE Network online brown-bag conversation held in 2013 focused on the science behind NISE Net activities related to polymers or light at the nanoscale. The following activities were discussed: Exploring Fabrication - Gummy Capsules,...

"Exploring Properties - Invisibility" is a hands on activity in which visitors investigate how glass objects can be "hidden" in some liquids. They learn that researchers can use nanotechnology to engineer new materials that interact with light in special ways.

"Exploring Materials - Polarizers" is a hands-on activity in which visitors use two polarizing sheets and overlapping layers of transparent tape to see how polarizers affect light. They learn that researchers are using nanotechnology to improve existing materials, in this...

"Nanostained Glass" is a classroom activity that has three parts: a presentation, a lab activity and an art activity. During the presentation, students are introduced to the connections between art and science, with a focus on the connection between stained...