NETWORK NEWS
Planning to attend the virtual ASTC Conference October 5-7?
Come visit us at the NISE Network virtual booth and attend sessions connected to NISE Network projects. We are looking forward to connecting with ASTC conference attendees! Learn more about times we’ll be staffing the booth:
Presentation Slides now available for NASA Webb Space Telescope events!
As we get closer to the launch of the Webb Space Telescope (now planned for December 19th), many NISE Network partners have been asking about getting access to a slideshow you can adapt for Webb Space Telescope in-person and virtual presentations. Your wish is now granted! This set of public presentation slides includes talking points and a script in the notes pane, adaptation suggestions for different audiences, and video links.
- Download the PowerPoint slides
- Learn more about more public engagement resources and how you can participate
UPCOMING EVENTS
The pandemic has led many museums to develop new types of products and practices. However, with limited social interactions, it can be very difficult to know what our audiences need and whether new products are working as intended. In this online workshop, we will explore a set of resources that anyone can use to improve educational experiences and professional practices even during times of limited social interaction. Learn more and register.
ASTC Conference: October 5-7, 2021
Learn more about ASTC Conference sessions related to NISE Network projects and virtual booth. Learn more
PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS
It’s already October, which means it’s the time of the year when you can get out your Explore Science: Let’s Do Chemistry kit and celebrate National Chemistry Week!
This year’s theme is “Fast or Slow...Chemistry Makes It Go!” and the big week is October 17-23, 2021. However, don’t feel that you have to limit celebrations to this week only. NISE Network partners are hosting all sorts of events of various scales throughout the month, with some even dedicating the entire month of October to chemistry (Chemistry Cat says OMg)! Read more.
A public gene editing forum in Phoenix Arizona from the eyes of a novice facilitator
NISE Network Partners in Phoenix, Arizona, and Boston, Massachusetts, hold separate public forums to gauge community opinions on human genome editing. Read more to view a public forum from the perspective of a first-time facilitator!
FEATURED ON THE WEBSITE
NISE Network online workshops
View the recordings and resources from recent NISE Net online workshops:
- Online Workshop Recording: Bust out that Chemistry kit for National Chemistry Week 2021 - Fast or Slow...Chemistry Makes It Go! (recorded 9-14-2021)
Planning Halloween events?
- NISE Network Halloween resources
- NISE Network Science Fiction, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Super Hero Events resources
- Frankenstein 200 kit activities
Planning an event for International Observe the Moon on October 16, 2021?
Here are some helpful resources and educational activities focused on the Moon.
Planning a National Chemistry Week event in October?
We have compiled a set of resources for finding chemist partners and activity suggestions at nisenet.org/ncw.
Planning an event for the launch of NASA’s new telescope?
The Webb Space Telescope is currently being prepared for a December 18 launch, if you are thinking of planning a public event, you can find event planning and activity suggestions at nisenet.org/webb.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOVA Universe Revealed
NOVA delves into the vastness of space in this five-part series premiering on October 27, 2021, at 9 PM on PBS. Episodes focus on the life cycle of stars, the Milky Way, exoplanets, black holes, and the Big Bang. Learn more.
COVID-19 Coronavirus and Vaccines
Should Cultural Entities Require Proof of Vaccination? What makes potential visitors feel safe attending? In September 2021, Colleen Dilenschneider found nearly 48% of likely US visitors believe that cultural entities should require all visitors to show proof of vaccination. The majority of people who attend cultural entities still desire mandatory mask requirements for all visitors.
Communicating About Vaccination in the United States: A FrameWorks Strategic Brief
The FrameWorks Institute and the American Academy of Pediatrics to understand attitudes and behaviors about vaccination and identify framing strategies that can build public understanding of the science and benefits of vaccines and increase support for structural and policy changes that will improve vaccination access and uptake.
NISE Network continues to compile resources as the situation with the COVID-19 Coronavirus and Vaccines continues to evolve:
- COVID-19 museum resources
- NISE Network vaccine museum resources
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 Tuesdays at 2-3pm Eastern / 11am-12pm Pacific. View upcoming online workshops at nisenet.org/events.
November 16, 2021
2-3pm ET | 11am-12pm PT
Evaluating educational experiences during times of limited social interactions - Adventures in Team-Based Inquiry
Learn more and register
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS
Earth and Space News
Landsat-9: Satellite of record launches to picture Earth. The Landsat 9 satellite launched successfully on September 27. This is the latest in a series of satellites monitoring Earth’s land and coastal regions that provide vital data for monitoring the health and state of the Earth.
Related NISE Network resources
-Exploring Earth: Land Cover activity
Related NASA resources
-GLOBE Observer Land Cover app
-NASA Landsat 9 posters, cards, paper model, and activity book
-Landsat 9 Video Series
Chemistry News
The Science behind our pumpkin spice obsession
Few scents are more emblematic of a season than pumpkin spice. Perception researchers at Johns Hopkins University are looking into the appeal of pumpkin spice and other nostalgic scents.
Related NISE Network resources
-Chemistry Makes Scents
-Exploring Size: Smelly Balloons activity
Synthetic Biology News
Scientists say they could bring back woolly mammoths. But Maybe They Shouldn't. Using recovered DNA to "genetically resurrect" an extinct species may be moving closer to reality with the creation of a new company that aims to bring back woolly mammoths.
Related NISE Network resources
-Building with Biology
-Building with Biology: Introduction to Synthetic Biology and Society video
Probiotic “yeast robots” made possible with CRISPR may one day treat Irritable Bowel Disease which affects 3 million people in the United States.
Nanotechnology News
Nanoscience that Stops a Speeding Bullet: A nano-architected mesh material more effective at stopping a projectile than Kevlar.
Related NISE Network resources
-Liquid Body Armor activity
-Liquid Armor Mr. O video
-NanoDays activities
Climate Change News
A new study shows young people in ten countries have a lot of anxiety about climate change, finding climate anxiety and distress were significantly related to perceived inadequate government response and associated feelings of betrayal. Learn more about the study.
Related NISE Network resources
Sustainability News
There's plenty to gain by letting green spaces go wild. Native grasses and plants are sustainable in four key ways.
Related NISE Network resources
-Future Builder activity
-My Community activity
-Water Roll activity
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 http://www.nisenet.org/seasons/.
October
- What’s Up Skywatching Tips from NASA
- Campus Sustainability Month
- AASHE resource: Campus Sustainability Month
- NISE Network resource: Sustainable Futures
- 10/4-10/10: Astronomy Week / World Space Week
- World Space Week website
- NISE Network resource: Explore Science: Earth and Space toolkits
- 10/9: National Nano Day
- National Nanotechnology Initiative website
- NISE Network NanoDays activities and resources
- 10/10: Metric Day
- How Small is Nano? book and poster
- How Small is Nano? video
- Exploring Size - Measure Yourself activity
- Exploring Size - Powers of Ten card game
- 10/10-10/16: Earth Science Week (second full week in October)
- 10/11: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- 10/16: International Observe the Moon Night
- NASA International Observe the Moon Night website
- NISE Network Moon resources
- 10/17-10/23: National Chemistry Week
- NISE Network National Chemistry Week resource page
- 10/21: Imagine a Day Without Water
- 10/31: Halloween
- NISE Network Halloween resources and activities
November
- National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
- 11/5: World Tsunami Awareness Day
- 11/8: National STEM - STEAM Day
- Watch and Create! Creativity For Sustainability activity
- Exploring the Universe: Nebula Spin Art activity
- Chemistry is Colorful activity
- Nature of Dye activity
- Exploring Materials - Thin Films activity
- 11/8: International Day of Radiology and World Radiography Day
- International Day of Radiology website
- World Radiography Day website
- 11/15: America Recycles Day
- Keep America Beautiful website
- SustainABLE kit
- Sustainable Futures public programs
- 11/18: Pride in STEM Day and International Day of LGBTQIA+ People in STEM
- Pride in STEM Day website
- International Day of LGBTQIA+ People in STEM website
- 11/25: Thanksgiving - Turkey breast feathers are iridescent due to nano-sized structures, here are more activities on iridescence!
- 11/26: Black Friday Shopping Day
- Would You Buy That stage presentation
- Buy It or Better Not activity
- 11/26: Black Hole Friday
- NASA: What are Black Holes?
- NASA: More about Black Holes
NATIONAL MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
Virtual Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) 2021 Annual Conference
October 5-7, 2021
Stay current on ASTC 2021 updates
CAISE InformalScience.org conference calendar
Learn more
National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conferences
Learn more