![Children looking at Gecko with magnifying glass](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/splashy_hero_large/public/images/catalog/8438/nise_net_press_photo_0019.jpg?h=22b7f206&itok=5YBaRg-n)
Biomimicry
Sticky Surfaces Inspired by Gecko Feet
![Children looking at Gecko with magnifying glass](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/8438/nise_net_press_photo_0019.jpg?h=22b7f206&itok=-zEDpgtI)
Biomimicry: From Nature to Nanotech
![Scanning Electron Microscope of Synthetic Gecko Tape](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/about/SEM_of_Synthetic_Gecko_Tape.gif?h=96dfc06c&itok=kMwAxIhp)
Biomimicry: Synthetic Gecko Tape through Nanomolding
![What is nano about museum labels thumbnails of signs featuring signs of hot-chocolate, hamburger, glass of water, a window, and a toilet](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/2021-04/What%20is%20nano%20about%20museum%20labels%20thumbnails%20of%20signs%20part%201.jpg?itok=VvmqeYZI)
Nano Museum Labels (Graphic Signs)
![Poster image showing a gecko and gecko-inspired robot](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/8891/posters.png?itok=x7gYplIJ)
NanoDays Key Concepts Posters
![Magnified image of nanotubes mimicking gecko feet using a Scanning Electron Microscope.](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12610/nanotubes_gecko_nise.jpg?itok=ErKeYUaK)
Scientific Image - Nanotubes Mimicking Gecko Feet
![Magnified image of a gecko's toe using a Scanning Electron Microscope.](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12596/gecko_foot_toe_nise.jpg?itok=ZlJPuTm2)
Scientific Image - Gecko Toe
![Magnified image of a gecko's foot using a Scanning Electron Microscope.](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12597/gecko_foot_at_1660x_nise.jpg?itok=V7IJX1Jd)
Scientific Image - Gecko Foot
![Magnified image of a gecko foot using a Scanning Electron Microscope.](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12598/gecko_foot_8700x_nise.jpg?itok=LTzHYfEA)
Scientific Image - Gecko Foot
![Magnified image of a hair from a gecko's foot using a Scanning Electron Microscope.](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12613/gecko_foot_seta_nise-1.jpg?itok=K-LxGOhI)
Scientific Image - Single Hair from a Gecko's Foot
![Magnified image of a gecko foot using an Optical Microscope.](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12570/gecko_foot_nise.jpg?itok=o_KSN5FN)
Scientific Image - Gecko Foot
![Young girl stacks large blocks with images on them](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/8887/puzzleblocks.jpg?h=155e127a&itok=v3T6FRj-)
Build a Giant Puzzle!
Photonics and LCDs Inspired by Iridescent and Structural Color Properties
![two children looking at Blue Morpho butterfly](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/8886/butterfly.jpg?h=aabaf923&itok=-SMZfUJN)
Exploring Structures - Butterfly
![Child in a red shirt with a preserved butterfly](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/11901/20110918gh_370.jpg?h=887f1908&itok=rMhZC1Yw)
Butterflies
![Looking at an opal through a scanning electron microscope](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/8369/opal_sem_small_size.jpg?h=e39eea65&itok=5jTuJe0x)
Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals
![Large blue and orange interactive exhibit that features the properties of blue butterfly wings on the nanoscale. Exhibit has three boxes with preserved butterflies under a light and a large sign going into detail on nanostructures](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/1638/v2.0_changing_colors_1.jpg?h=a5b6522a&itok=AlkQ4DkI)
Changing Colors exhibit
![Closeup photo of Blue Morpho Butterfly](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/10473/screen_shot_2012-06-06_at_4.21.34_pm.png?h=9e7b4264&itok=Pu_kczbB)
Butterfly Blues video
![Liquid crystal display activity components including signs, guides, craft materials, safety gear, and liquid crystal material](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/liquid_crystal_displays.jpg?h=d02e55a0&itok=qszCXtrx)
Exploring Products - Liquid Crystal Displays
![image of a handprint that was created using heat sensitive liquid crystals suspended in thermal paper](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/MatsLC_handprint_Dec08.jpg?h=c210faf1&itok=6YeuUVKY)
Exploring Materials - Liquid Crystals
![](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12567/liquid_crystal_nise.jpg?itok=RfWHeCaH)
Scientific Image - Liquid Crystal
![](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12574/photonic_crystal_nise.jpg?itok=PEIxBAYt)
Scientific Image - Photonic Crystal
Stain Resistant and Hydrophobic Surfaces Inspired by Lotus Leaf Effect in Plants
![Exploring Products - Nano Fabrics acitivty components including signs, guides, and mini pants coated with nano materials](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/nano_fabric_kit_materials_0.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=ma0DEyZj)
Exploring Products - Nano Fabrics
Sand, Plants and Pants
![A lotus leaves in a small, man-made concrete pond.](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/9072/lotus_leaf_rep_image.png?h=102304da&itok=MqxUhi7C)
Zoom into a Lotus Leaf video
![A screenshot of the zoom into a nasturtium leaf interactive starting with a nasturtium leaf.](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/about/Nasturtium_screenshot.png?h=6b035c51&itok=4ohzrJxL)
Multimedia Zoom Into a Nasturtium Leaf
![A person holding an ice cream cone with the text "NANO: I've never had that problem."](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/8901/nano_and_me_screen_shot_2012_0.png?itok=D9KQsy3Q)
Nano and Me Videos
![The supervillain Dr. Blot dressed in a crazy costume](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/8601/stains.png?h=a2f616d4&itok=9DVE-Mrv)
I Got No Stains on Me
![Teen girl with braces in a pink shirt holds a large kale leaf](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2024-03/screenshot_2024-03-04_at_3.33.43_pm.png?h=998a70ec&itok=PZB_JqxB)
What’s Nano About Toilets?
![Facilitator showing learners the lotus leaf effect](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/catalog/programs/Lotus_effect_EExpo2008.jpg?itok=6w3QNWri)
Lotus Leaf Effect
![](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12605/nastrurtium_droplet_nise.jpg?itok=bqlpFm6k)
Scientific Image - Water Droplet on a Nasturtium Leaf
![](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12602/nasturtium_at_10000x_nise.jpg?itok=Sfmv6qDx)
Scientific Image - Nasturtium Leaf
![](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12566/nasturtium_nise-1.jpg?itok=QjT04NAb)
Scientific Image - Nasturtium Leaf
![](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12600/nasturtium_at_2500x.jpg?itok=M5a2K4ez)
Scientific Image - Nasturtium Leaf
![](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/7132011_1000x.jpg?itok=H_gUHjF2)
Scientific Image - SEM Image of Lotus Leaf
![](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/7132011_500x.jpg?itok=DS0oEy7o)
Scientific Image - SEM Image of Lotus Leaf
Composite Materials Inspired by Natural Structures
Biomimicry included in Nano Key Concepts Resources
![cover image of the nano content map](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/2021-10/nano%20content%20map%20cover.jpg?itok=eFYF2_zm)
Nanoscale Science Informal Learning Experiences: NISE Network Content Map
![children dripping water on lotus leaves](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/8528/nise_net_press_photo_0011-lo.jpg?h=7dde5b8c&itok=DS5Pmmzp)
Engaging the Public in Nano Key Concepts
![Nano is different slide showing gold, nano gold, and stained glass](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/10937/nano_101.jpg?h=56813256&itok=84GV_tRB)
Nano 101 Intro to Nano slide presentations
![NanoDays Collection book cover featuring a family of learners observing materials](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/blog/ND_Compendium_Cover_04_08_Page_1.jpg?h=7913737e&itok=G7_v1y8b)
NanoDays Collection Book
![Poster image showing a gecko and gecko-inspired robot](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/8891/posters.png?itok=x7gYplIJ)
NanoDays Key Concepts Posters
![What is nano about museum labels thumbnails of signs featuring signs of hot-chocolate, hamburger, glass of water, a window, and a toilet](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/2021-04/What%20is%20nano%20about%20museum%20labels%20thumbnails%20of%20signs%20part%201.jpg?itok=VvmqeYZI)
Nano Museum Labels (Graphic Signs)
![Visitors line up by size in Get in Order - large size powers of 10 cards featuring an Earth card](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2021-11/Get%20in%20Order%20-%20large%20size%20powers%20of%2010%20cards%2020151111_1030.jpg?h=cd3a1001&itok=6Rs4DJeA)
Size, Scale, & Measurement
Annual Events and Themes
National Bird Day (January 5)
- www.nationalbirdday.com website
- some bird feathers (such as peacock feathers) are iridescent due to nano-sized structures within the feathers
Great Backyard Bird Count (mid-February)
- https://www.birdcount.org
- some bird feathers (such as peacock feathers) are iridescent due to nano-sized structures within the feathers
World Wildlife Day (March 3)
- https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-wildlife-day
- http://www.wildlifeday.org
- NISE Network butterfly resources: https://www.nisenet.org/butterflies
National Learn about Butterflies Day (March 14)
- NISE Network butterfly resources: https://www.nisenet.org/butterflies
More Resources
- Biomimicry Institute educational resources
https://biomimicry.org/resources/ - Arizona State University Biomimicry Center educational resources
https://biomimicry.asu.edu/resources/ - Ask Nature database
https://asknature.org/
![Working with STEM Experts Guide cover including an image of expert puring a liquid and using a strainer with a girl and her family at a museum public event](/sites/default/files/styles/copy_50/public/2021-10/Working%20with%20STEM%20Experts%20Guide%20cover%20including%20an%20image%20of%20expert%20%20puring%20a%20liquid%20and%20using%20a%20strainer%20with%20a%20girl%20and%20her%20family%20at%20a%20museum%20public%20event%20CREDIT%20Marbles%20Kids%20Museum%20CROPPED.jpg?itok=O819TbQo)
Finding STEM Experts
- See the "Engineering, Technology, Material Science, and Nanoscale Science" and "Agriculture: Food Science, AnimalScience, and Plant Science" sections of Working with STEM Experts: A Guide for Educators in Museums and Other Informal Learning Settings