August 2024
NETWORK NEWS
ASTC Conference 2024
We are looking forward to seeing many NISE Network partners at the ASTC Conference in Chicago September 27-October 1st. NISE Network activities include a pre-conference intensive session, concurrent sessions, an exhibit hall booth, and a networking happy hour. The happy hour will take place at the Marriott Showroom Food Hall on Saturday night September 28th.
nisenet.org/astc2024
More Conferences and Presentations
NISE Network project members recently presented at the Visitor Studies Association (VSA) conference in Saint Paul, MN in July and presentation slides are now available.
Other upcoming conferences featuring presentations about NISE Network projects include:
• American Evaluation Association - Evaluation 2024
October 21-26, 2024 in Portland, OR nisenet.org/AEA2024
• STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice (SLECoP) Convening
October 29-31, 2024 in Chicago, IL
nisenet.org/slecop2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
Online Workshops
The NISE Network hosts free online workshops as professional development opportunities for our partners to share with and learn from each other. Online workshops take place on select Tuesdays at 2pm-3pm Eastern. View upcoming online workshops at nisenet.org/events
• Making Waves with Radio - Resource Roundup for Educators Working with Hispanic Audiences
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
2-3pm Eastern
Learn more and register
• Engaging Hispanic/Latinx Communities - Forming Community Partnerships & the Co-creation Process (Part 1)
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
2-3pm Eastern
Learn more and register
• Engaging Hispanic/Latinx Communities - Resources for Public Engagement (Part 2)
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
2-3pm Eastern
Learn more and register
PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS
COSI Develops new Exhibit Component for the Sun, Earth, Universe Exhibition
At the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, OH, the NISE Network's Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition continues to engage families in Earth and space science. The exhibition has been integrated into COSI's Space Zone, and recently the museum fabricated a new space exhibit component intentionally designed to be incorporated into the Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition. "Test Your Reaction Time/Improve Your Reaction Time" invites visitors to test how quickly they can react to a visual prompt, and then attempt to improve this reaction time similar to how astronauts would practice in training.
Learn more
FEATURED ON THE WEBSITE
Online Workshop Recordings:
• Supersized STEM - All About Planning for Science Festivals and Big STEM Events (recorded on 7-23-24)
Learn more
• Futures Thinking - Exploring Ideas and Developing Skills to Shape Our World
(recorded on 6-11-24)
Learn more
• Find Your Place in Space - Engaging the Artemis Generation with Activities, Apps and More
(recorded on 5-7-24)
Learn more
• Wildfires & Air Quality - Providing a Relevant Portal to Get Audiences Invested in the Conversation
(recorded on 4-30-24)
Learn more
Building with Biology "Bio Bistro" activity
Whether or not you are familiar with or received our past Building with Biology kit, you can easily download, print, and start using new resources for the "Bio Bistro" activity. A set of updated cards engages public audiences in conversations about the field of synthetic biology, the ways this emerging technology is interconnected with society, and ultimately, “Would you eat that?”
Learn more
Whispers in the Wind app
In this digital game set in near-future Puerto Rico, players learn about radio and wireless technology as they help siblings Gabby and Raúl restore their town's communication systems after a hurricane. The app is available in both English and Spanish for iPhones/iPads and Android devices.
Learn more
Publications on nisenet.org
We have re-organized our publications on our website. Publications categories include: 1) Externally published journal articles, books, and other professional publications 2) Guides for professional learning, and 3) Evaluation reports and research studies.
Learn more
Looking for an easy way to discover resources on the nisenet.org website?
Check out our “Browse by Themes and Topics,” featuring curated collections of hands-on activities and resources by themes and STEM topics:
nisenet.org/browse-topic
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy 25th, Chandra X-ray Observatory!
To celebrate 25 years observing in space, 25 new images have been released to celebrate NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Chandra has observed thousands of objects to make unparalleled discoveries. You can download high resolution images, read visual descriptions, and print 3D tactile plates.
Learn more
NASA TEAM II Funding Opportunity
NASA is seeking proposals for the 2024 NASA Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions TEAM II Community Anchor and STEM Innovator Awards. Eligible proposers include U.S. nonprofit science museums, planetariums, youth-serving organizations, and libraries. Proposals are due August 27 (TEAM II Community Anchor) and September 26, 2024 (TEAM II STEM Innovator).
Learn more
New Resources to Support Equitably Scaling Informal STEM Programs
The National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP), Education Development Center, and a wide range of collaborators from across informal STEM education have developed a set of resources for those interested in equitably scaling informal STEM learning programs and curricula. These products are a result of the Advancing the Conversation on Scaling National Informal STEM Programs conference, funded by the National Science Foundation.
Learn more
On-the-Spot Feedback Guide -
Communication Strategies for Scientists
This project has developed a set of on-the-spot feedback strategies and professional development experiences to help scientists with their public engagement activities.
Learn more
CCLI Actionable Insights Online Self-guided Tool
The Cultural Competence Learning Institute (CCLI) has introduced a self-guided, online coursework to help make institutions more inclusive and equitable. This tool is free for all to use and includes 11 streaming courses, including an introductory course and downloadable supporting resources.
Learn more
International Observe the Moon Night will take place Saturday, September 14
Find creative observing suggestions, browse a curated set of hands-on activities, download custom Moon Maps, and register your program.
Learn more
and check out NISE Network Moon resources
International Day of Scientific Culture
This annual event is celebrated on September 28th to highlight the importance of scientific culture in today's world and celebrate activities and institutions that provide spaces for people to make science a relevant part of their lives.
Learn more
Interested in one of our exhibitions?
There’s a waiting list for that!
If you are interested in hosting the Nano exhibition, or the Sun, Earth, Universe exhibition, please reach out to Christina Leavell, NISE Network Community Manager, to be added to a waiting list.
Contact us
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS
NANOTECHNOLOGY NEWS
Scientists have discovered new greener methods for the formation of different types and sizes of gold nanoparticles. Specific gold nanoparticle sizes are critical for a range of applications – from drug delivery to electronics – due to their physical, chemical and optical properties.
NISE Network resources:
• Exploring Materials - Nano Gold
• Exploring Materials - Stained-Glass Windows
• Zapping Tumors with Gold Nanoshells Video
• Treating Tumors with Gold stage presentation
CHEMISTRY NEWS
Diamonds in nature famously form under immense pressure. A new method of making lab-grown synthetic diamonds doesn’t require extreme pressure.
NISE Network resources:
NEUROSCIENCE NEWS
Quick fun video describing the five benefits of play for our brain development and health at any age. “Play is not frivolous - it is brain building.”
NISE Network resources:
• Brain and neuroscience resources
GENETICS NEWS
Lab-Grown meat Is getting closer to tasting like real beef. Meat grown in the lab has been hailed as an environmentally friendly, cruelty-free alternative to conventional meat, Now, researchers have engineered cultured meat that tastes and smells more appetizing could enhance public perception of artificial steaks
NISE Network resources:
SPACE NEWS
Four volunteers who spent more than a year living in a 1,700-square-foot space created by NASA to simulate the environment on Mars have emerged. The volunteers grew their own vegetables, maintained equipment, and faced stressors that actual space travelers to Mars could experience, including 22-minute communication delays with Earth.
NISE Network resources:
RADIO NEWS
Bacteria can hibernate in low-moisture ingredients such as flour and spices, and food scientists have been working on ways to make them safer with novel technologies including radiofrequency technology.
NISE Network resources:
TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY NEWS
Planning for small, electric aircraft could transform city travel. Referred to as electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (or eVTOLs), the vision is for small, electric machines that can be used for local and regional transit and emergency services.
NISE Network resources:
• Science and Society resources
• Exploring Nano & Society - Flying Cars activity
CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
A new report examines Global Warming’s six audiences around the world. This study focuses on an international survey of 100 countries, looking at six distinct audiences within the public – the Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, Disengaged, Doubtful, and Dismissive – based on their beliefs and attitudes about climate change. The five areas with the largest percentage of Alarmed are Puerto Rico (70%), El Salvador (67%), Costa Rica (65%), Chile (64%), and Panama (64%); by contrast, in the United States, about one-third of respondents are Alarmed (32%).
Learn more
NISE Network resources:
STEM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Discover activity ideas for incorporating current science, engineering, and technology content into events, special programming, holidays, and seasonal activities by visiting: nisenet.org/seasons
Summer
- Summer camp resources
- Outside Activities
- Summer Reading
- Sun and Sand
August
- What’s Up Skywatching Tips from NASA
- Perseid Meteor Shower (August)
- The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower as they peak on warm August nights as seen from the northern hemisphere
- NISE Network Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, and Meteorites resources
- National Immunization Awareness Month (August)
- National Aviation Day (August 19)
- World Mosquito Day (August 20)
- Frankenstein Day (August 30)
- Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born on August 30, 1797; she wrote the novel Frankenstein in 1816, and published it in 1818
- Frankenstein200 kit of activities
September
- Back to School resources related to pencils and graphite
- Read a New Book Month (September)
- National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15- October 15)
- International Microorganism Day (September 17)
- National Pollution Prevention Week (P2 Week) (September 16-22, 2024)
- International Coastal Cleanup Day (third Saturday in September) World Cleanup Day (mid-September)
- Fall Equinox (September 22 in the Northern Hemisphere)
- Solstices and equinoxes provide opportunities for planning quarterly programs related to the Earth, Sun, and Moon (astronomical seasons) or your local environment (meteorological seasons)
- Moon resources
- NASA Space Place seasons resources
- International Day of Scientific Culture / Día Internacional de la Cultura Científica (September 28)
- Worldwide Day of Play (September 28, 2024)
NATIONAL MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
- ASTC Conference, September 27 - October 1, 2024, Chicago, Illinois
Learn more - American Evaluation Assocaition Conference, October 21-25, Portland, Oregon
Learn more - The STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice (SLECoP) Convening on October 29-31, Chicago, Illinois
Learn more - Association of Children's Museums (ACM) InterActivity, May 14-16, 2025, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Learn more REVISE InformalScience.org conference calendar
National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conferences