Frequently Asked Questions

The mission of the NISE Network is to build the capacity of informal science education institutions and research organizations to work together to raise public awareness, understanding, and engagement with nanoscale science, engineering, and technology.

This website's purpose is to facilitate communication and collaboration, to share professional resources and to provide researchers and educators with information and activities about nano, Members include research institutions, museums and informal science organizations, and individuals who are interested in communicating with the public about nanoscale research. For more information please see the About section.

There are several ways to get involved. The easiest is becoming a registered member on this website by following the steps in FAQ #3.

Educational Partners: Strong regional and national partnerships are the foundation of the NISE Network. We are developing an infrastructure for sharing resources and best practices among the expanding NISE Net community of people participating in nano informal science education activities.

The NISE Network community within the United States is organized around eight Regional Hubs based on geographic proximity. Regional hubs facilitate partner interaction in the Network, help museum educators connect with researchers and each other, host regional workshops, and provide support to institutions in their region. Regional hub contacts and a map can be found on our Network Community page.

Research Partners: The NISE Network also works directly with nanoscale and materials science research centers to help them establish effective education outreach partnerships with science museums through the Research Center Informal Science Education (RISE) partnership initiative. Our RISE partnerships group provides professional development, consulting, and resources for partnerships, and also develops trainings in communication and public engagement for early career researchers.

Also, our Diversity, Equity, and Access (DEA) team fosters and encourages the NISE Network's efforts to reach a diverse audience with regard to geography, dis/ability, gender, race/ethnicity, language, and income.

Becoming a registered member on the website allows you to download files from the Catalog and view contact information in the Member Directory.

1. Click the signup/login link (at the top right of the website)
2. Click the Create New Account tab
3. Enter your email address and a password
4. Check your email and verify your membership by clicking the link in the message

Once you've registered, please take a minute to complete your member profile in order to be included in our Member Directory.

1. Click the signup/login link (at the top right of the website) and log in
2. Click the my profile link under your name in the right sidebar
3. Click on the Edit tab above your photo
4. Fill in your name and any other details you'd like to share with the network

1. Click the signup/login link (at the top right of the website)
2. Click the Request new password tab
3. Enter your email address
4. A password will be sent to you via email; to change your password please see below

1. If you're not already logged in, click the signup/login link (at the top right of the website)
2. Click the my profile link under your name in the right sidebar
3. Click on the Edit tab above your profile picture.
4. You can now change your password, email address, or other personal information

Any technical issues or general comments regarding the website can be sent to webmaster@nisenet.org

We offer a Catalog of educational products to raise public awareness, understanding, and engagement with nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Catalog items have been contributed by multiple NISE Network subawardee institutions and museums, allowing us to offer a wide range of programs, activities, forums, training materials, exhibits, and media that can be mixed and matched by users to meet many different educational needs. Check out all our products in the Catalog section.

You can find materials by using the Search box in the top right hand corner of the website or from the search box on the Catalog main page. Also, for more refined results, you can browse the Catalog by Audience, Topic, Format, Newest Contributions, Most Viewed, Recently and Most Commented, as well as view the Tag Cloud. If you are browsing through resources, the Catalog is navigated by using the headings in the left hand column such as Programs & Activities, Exhibits, Forums, Tools & Guides, Media, and Research & Evaluation. These pages will bring up all our available resources and clicking specific products will bring up more info, including the materials available for download.

You must be a registered member on the website and logged in to download files from the Catalog. (If you are not yet registered see FAQ #3.)

If problems persist, contact site support at webmaster@nisenet.org.

If you have feedback about a program or resource in the Catalog, you can leave a comment about that specific resource.

We are developing a way to include links to nano education resources created by other organizations in the online Catalog. This feature is not yet available, but we plan to add this capability to the website later in 2010.

NanoDays is a week of locally-based educational events and activities held each Spring focusing on nanoscale science and engineering. Organizations are invited to join in by linking up with the NISE Network and planning NanoDays events unique to their local communities. The NISE Network provides guides and resources.

NanoDays activities often bring university researchers together with museum educators, creating unique learning experiences and engaging people of all ages. No matter if your event takes place during our week or a time that better meets your needs, you can be a part of NanoDays! For more information, including links to resources like our digital and physical kit, online applications, and eligibility requirements, check out NanoDays in the Community section.

We are sorry, we are not able to send physical NanoDays kits outside of the United States. Physical kits are designed for informal science educational institutions (such as museums and research center outreach programs) within the United States.

Free online download of the Digital NanoDays kits is available to anyone who registers on nisenet.org, and is intended particularly for international locations outside the United States, K-12 educators, libraries, and other educational organizations. Many of the activities use inexpensive, readily available supplies. Additionally, many program activities are available for free download through the Catalog feature of the website. Search the Catalog or NanoDays for more info.

We are sorry, we are not able to send physical NanoDays kits to K-12 schools. Physical kits are designed for informal science educational institutions (such as museums and research center outreach programs) within the United States.

Free online download of the Digital NanoDays kits is available to anyone who registers on nisenet.org, and is intended particularly for international locations outside the United States, K-12 educators, libraries, and other educational organizations. Many of the activities use inexpensive, readily available supplies. Additionally, many program activities are available for free download through the Catalog feature of the website. Search the Catalog or NanoDays for more info.

If you would like more ferrofluid sealed in leak-resistant plastic tube, you can purchase them from Educational Innovations:

item #: FF-200, Ferrofluid Preform Display Cell

This is the same type of ferrofluid used in the NanoDays Exploring Ferrofluid program.

For future reference, Catalog products should include details about consumable materials and contact information for vendors; you can often find this information by checking under the Resources tab.

To request pre-cut paper buckyballs used in the NanoDays Exploring Structures - Buckyballs program, please contact your regional hub contact who may have additional limited supplies.

Regional hub contacts and a map can be found on our Network Community page.

We are sorry, we only prepare enough liquid crystal mixture for the NanoDays kits and do not have additional supplies we can send you.

To make your own mixture of the type used in the NanoDays Exploring Materials - Liquid Crystal program click on the Resources tab to get more information on supplies.

Alternatively, you can purchase liquid crystal sheets from Educational Innovations: www.teachersource.com.

item #LC-2530A, 25-30 ̊C transition

For future reference, Catalog products should include details about consumable materials and contact information for vendors; you can often find this information by checking under the Resources tab.