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Newsletter: August 2017

Welcome to the monthly e-newsletter for the National Informal STEM Education (NISE) Network and community.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

  • Community News: Get you (safety) shades ready for August 21, 2017!, Explore Science: Earth & Space Toolkit 2017 reports
  • Upcoming Events and Opportunities: Upcoming Online Workshops, It's not too late to get involved in National Chemistry Week 2017, Dust off those NanoDays Kits - What are you doing for National Nanotechnology Day?
  • Partner Highlights: NISE Net partners host stellar line-up of solar eclipse events
  • Featured on the Website: Finding astronomy volunteers: Solar System Ambassadors Program, Night Sky Network, and Astronomy Ambassadors
  • Science in the News: Water found deep inside the moon, NASA's HERA XIII crew returns home, Should genetic engineering be used as a tool for conservation, F.D.A. panel recommends approval for gene-editing Leukemia treatment, Illustrated periodic table shows how elements are part of everyday life
  • STEM Throughout the Year: NISE Net's ideas for incorporating current science, engineering, and technology into holidays, seasons, annual events, and special events 
  • Meetings and Conferences: American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting & Exposition 2017, Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference 2017, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2018 Annual Meeting, Association of Children's (ACM) Interactivity 2018

COMMUNITY NEWS

Get your (safety) shades ready for August 21, 2017!

The countdown is on; have you finalized your solar eclipse plans yet? Check out NISE Net's go-to-list of eclipse resources for those last minute planning, resource gathering, and community outreach needs. Here are a few resources that might peak your interest:
 

 

Explore Science: Earth & Space Toolkit 2017 reports

Thanks to all NISE Network partners who submitted their reports about their 2017 spring Earth and space events. The Network uses the information provided when preparing reports for NASA, our project funder, and to improve future kits, materials, and professional development opportunities. We've randomly selected two partners who submitted their toolkit reports into us on time and have awarded them with a small package of additional educational materials for use with their visitors as a thank you. Special thanks to: Allison Schwanebeck from Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines and Joseph Vick from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. 


UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Online Workshops: Staying connected to the Network and community

The NISE Network runs a series of free online workshops to increase the number of professional development opportunities available to our partners, and to create more channels for partners to share their work and learn from each other directly. View full details for upcoming online workshops at http://www.nisenet.org/events.

 

Learn More About the 2018 Explore Science: Earth & Space Toolkit 

Tuesday, September 12, 2017; 2:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern Sign up now

In this online workshop, NISE Net partners will present a general introduction to the Space and Earth Informal Science Education (SEISE) project, and an overview of what’s in the new 2018 Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkit, including information about how to apply for a toolkit and eligibility requirements. Toolkits are open for both new and existing NISE Network partners located in the United States; the application will open in fall 2017. 

All NISE Network Online Workshops are recorded and archived online here

 

It's not too late to get involved in National Chemistry Week 2017

National Chemistry Week (NCW) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with the theme "Chemistry Rocks!" taking place October 22-28. This is a great opportunity for your museum to collaborate with members of a local American Chemical Society chapter, science enthusiasts, and industry professionals to build awareness of chemistry and its connection to everyday life at a local level. Visit the NCW website for information on how to host an event and NCW 2017 resources and materials

 

Dust off those NanoDays Kits - What are you doing for National Nanotechnology Day?

Led by the National Nanotechnology Initiative, National Nanotechnology Day is celebrating its second annual event October 9th, which features a series of community-led events and activities to help raise awareness of nanotechnology, its products and uses, and the challenges and opportunities it holds for the future. Read more about how to get involved


PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS

NISE Net partners host stellar line-up of solar eclipse events 

NISE Network partners have been preparing for the upcoming August 21st solar eclipse for months. Some, along or near the path of totality, have even been making plans for a year or more! Partners who received a 2017 Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkit have had an opportunity to engage visitors through hands-on activities in learning about Earth and space science with connections to science, technology, and society, and the toolkit is also a great additional resource for solar eclipse events. Check out a snapshot of NISE Network partner events taking place all across the country this month!

NISE Net partner shout outs

AZ Museum of Natural History in Mesa, AZ

We're having a party w/our friends @nisenet to welcome the eclipse! Hey, you should come! Bring the kids! Interactive learning 4 all! #STEM

@anaganat1

Building with Biology @rocRMSC using @nisenet kits! #syntheticbiology

@charliegibson 

The @nisenet Investigating Clouds activity makes an appearance in @mi_sci's Virtual Science Camp! https://www.facebook.com/MI.Science.Center/videos/10154741994187286/ 

@GermJuggler

All set up and ready to go for #BioBuilder @MonsantoCo getting more use of #BuildingWithBiology activities @nisenet @MissouriSandT


FEATURED ON THE WEBSITE

Finding astronomy volunteers: Solar System Ambassadors Program, Night Sky Network, and Astronomy Ambassadors

No matter what time of year, volunteer experts are a key ingredient to making many public programming and engagement efforts a success. Take advantage of volunteer networks focused on astronomy and space education for your next event. Find astronomy volunteers for your next event


SCIENCE IN THE NEWS

Earth and Space News

Water found deep inside the moon 

Scientists used to think the moon was completely devoid of water but recent studies have proven that might not be true. Lunar samples were collected in the 1970's as part of the Apollo 15 and 17 missions and have since continued to be re-examined alongside new lunar studies. Read more about the water research on the moon

NASA's HERA XIII crew returns home

After 45 days in NASA's Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA), the four-man crew emerged from a simulated mission, one of several ground-based analogs used by NASA's Human Research Program, to research ways to help astronauts prepare for deep space explorations. Read more about HERA and similar NASA missions

NASA's Night Sky Network - What's up for August 2017

Learn about the astronomical events taking place this month

 

Synthetic Biology News

Should genetic engineering be used as a tool for conservation

From coral bleaching to invasive species, environmentalists and conservationists continue to fight these challenges often with massive expenses. Synthetic biology has the ability, through applied engineering principles to species and biological systems, to eliminate invasive species without killing unintentional animals or strengthening corals to become more tolerant of heat and acidity, at a fraction of the cost of current methods. Read more about how synthetic biology can help conservation efforts

Food and Drug Administration panel recommends approval for gene-altering Leukemia treatment 

Should the F.D.A. accept the recommendation of the panel, the approval will provide the first type of gene therapy treatment for a type of leukemia, to reach the U.S. market. To use this technique, an individual treatment must be created for each patient, which requires removing millions of a patient's T-cells and genetically engineering them to kill cancer cells. Read more about this new gene therapy

 

Chemistry News

Illustrated periodic table shows how elements are part of everyday life

A Boeing software engineer has created an online, interactive Periodic Table of Elements, in Pictures and Words to help break down the barrier between chemistry and everyday life. He's even created individual element cards, all of which - including the periodic table - are available for print under the Creative Commons license. Check out these free chemistry resources


STEM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

For specific activity ideas for events, and for more inspiration for year-long events and activities, visit http://www.nisenet.org/seasons.


MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES

American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting & Exposition

August 20 - 24, 2017; Washington, DC

ACS National Meetings are where chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Learn more about the Fall 2017 ACS National Meeting

 

Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference 2017

October 21 - 24, 2017; San Jose, CA

The NISE Network will have a variety of activities and professional development opportunities at the upcoming conference including sessions, an exhibit hall booth, partner breakfast and happy hour. Learn more ASTC 2017

 

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2018 Annual Meeting

February 14 - 18, 2018; Austin, TX

The 2018 theme "Advancing Science: Discovery to Application" highlights the critical roles of academia, government and industry in moving ideas into innovations. Registration opens early September

 

Association of Children's (ACM) Interactivity 2018

May 15 - 18, 2018; Raleigh, NC

Sessions proposal submission deadline is Friday, September 15th. Learn more about ACM 2018


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Do you have something you would like to submit for inclusion in the NISE Network monthly e-newsletter? Please send your announcements, articles, or community opportunities to Kayla Berry at [email protected].