NISE Network Blog

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Partner Highlight: The National Science Foundation Celebrates its 75th Anniversary on May 10, 2025 nationwide including at Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey, CA

May 6, 2025
Christina Leavell, Arizona State University
The National Science Foundation celebrates it's 75th anniversary on May 10, 2025 with NSF STEM Day events across the country.
People sitting around multiple tables while watching a facilitator in a black lab coat present slides.

Partner Highlight: Exploring Earth and Space Science with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

May 1, 2025
Christina Leavell, Arizona State University
A partner highlight spotlighting the incredible work around Earth and space science at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
The number 20 in mylar balloons photo by Matthew Ball on Unsplash

A year of celebration and transitions for the NISE Network as we mark our 20th anniversary and announce a new director

April 8, 2025
Christina Leavell, Arizona State University
The year 2025 marks the twentieth anniversary of the NISE Network! It is wonderful to still be working with a community of informal educators and scientists dedicated to engaging the public in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) across the United States. As we move forward with our work, we are pleased to announce a transition from Rae Ostman to our new director Catherine McCarthy. In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we also caught up with our founding director, Larry Bell, to share what he’s been up to during his retirement.
Children stand at opposite sides of the Design Build Test exhibit table, putting together the assorted pieces and testing their creations.

Partner Highlight: The Powerhouse in Durango, Colorado brings the Night Sky to Life for a Dark Sky Celebration

April 4, 2025
Vanessa Frank, Powerhouse, Durango, Colorado
The Powerhouse in Durango, Colorado brought the wonder of the night sky to life at their Dark Sky Celebration, partnering with tourism organization Visit Durango and utilizing resources from the NISE Network, including the “Sun, Earth, Universe" exhibition.
Brain Awareness Week logo

Partner Highlight: Celebrating the Cerebellum (and other lobes) - Brain Awareness Week March 10-16, 2025 Events

March 16, 2025
Christina Leavell, Arizona State University
Partner highlight touching on a few of the many NISE Network partner institutions who held events to celebrate Brain Awareness Week 2025.
Imagination Station Toledo front of the building on a sunny day with blue skies. A van parked in front that says "Make Something" in white on the orange back side of the van.

Partner Highlight: Toledo Tinkers: Through a Child’s Eyes Takes Tinkering into the Community!

February 20, 2025
Madalyn Coss, Imagination Station
Partner highlight about Toledo Tinkers, a comprehensive initiative designed by the Imagination Station Team to engage underserved parts of the Toledo community.
Collage of potential future neurotechnology

Partner Highlight: New Publications on Neurotechnology Public Engagement Driven by the Work of the NISE Network’s Changing Brains Project

January 20, 2025
Darrell Porcello, Children's Creativity Museum
Two recent publications, co-authored by Dr. Darrell Porcello of the Children's Creativity Museum and the NISE Network, reflect the growing interest in exploring the potential societal and ethical implications of neurotechnology—devices that measure or modulate neural activity through a direct connection to the brain or spinal cord.
NISE Network logo - vertical color reverse

NISE Network Year in Review 2024

January 20, 2025
Catherine McCarthy, Arizona State University
When reflecting on this past year, we are filled with gratitude to be able to collaborate with all of you! This past year we continued to increase our capacity as professionals and organizations to engage the public in STEM topics throughout the United States. Our strength as a Network comes from our collaboration as dedicated professionals, and our impact comes from the work we all do to engage our local communities.
A large group of diverse individuals stands on a stair way forming multiple rows for a group photo.

Partner Highlight: Co-creating with Communities Project Hosts October Gathering of Co-collaborators in Mesa, Arizona

November 9, 2024
Christina Leavell, Arizona State University
Highlights from a recent successful gathering of two NASA-funded projects focused on increasing the capacity of informal educators to engage local communities.
Woman and child pose smiling in the Sun, wearing black t-shirts and tin foil made medallions

Partner Highlight: The Co-creating with Communities Project Team Adapts the Space Souvenir Activity for Día de los Muertos in Mesa, Arizona

November 8, 2024
Christina Leavell, Arizona State University
Arizona State University’s Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning participated in Mesa Arts Center's 19th annual Día de los Muertos Festival, expanding and adapting resources from the Voyage through the Solar System Activity for the celebration.