
Science & Society
Societal Aspects of STEM
Many NISE Network public engagement activities try to provide opportunities for conversations and consideration of the relationship between science, technology, and society. Emerging science and technology offer the promise of new discoveries that may dramatically improve our lives and bring great advances in applications as diverse as medicine, energy, and materials. At the same time, emerging science and technology may also have potential negative impacts that touch on a broad range of societal concerns—environmental pollution, toxicity, equity, and privacy violations. In academia this field is often referred to as Society and Ethical Implications (SEI) or Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI).
Below are examples of NISE Network public engagement activities and professional learning resources that focus on societal aspects of science and technology. Many of these activities include aspects of futures thinking approach to consider and imagine different possible future scenarios and their implications.
Hands-on Activities and Programs

Radio Futures: You Decide

Radio Futures: I Spy Radio

Neuro Futures Card Game

Neuro Futures Championship Game

What Makes Us Human

Building with Biology: Tech Tokens

Building with Biology: Bio Bistro

Exploring Nano & Society - You Decide!

Exploring Nano & Society - Space Elevator

Exploring Nano & Society - Flying Cars

Flying Cars

Exploring Nano & Society - Invisibility Cloak

Exploring Nano & Society - Tell a Nano Story

Exploring Nano & Society - Tippy Table

Nano Around the World card game

Buy It, Or Better Not?

Nano & Society Posters

Frankentoy

Scribble Bot

Automata

Frankenstein 200 Kit

Nano Future Tellers

Future Builder

Games for the Future

Sustainability

Imagine Our Community 2100

Exploring the Solar System: Story Blocks

Exploring the Solar System: Asteroid Mining

Voyage through the Solar System: Build a Moon Base Camp

Exploring the Universe: Imagining Life

Science Fiction, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Superheroes
Forums

Forums

Forums List
Neuroethics Activities

What Makes Us Human

Neuro Futures Championship Game

Neuro Futures Card Game
Featured Stage Programs

Survival: A Game Show about People, Planet, and Prosperity

Would You Buy That
Storming the Castle Museum Theater Show

Flying Cars
Videos

Building with Biology: Introduction to Synthetic Biology and Society Video

Does Every Silver Lining Have a Cloud?

Changing Our Relationship With Science video

Three Angry Scientists

Wonders and Worries of Nanotechnology: Ask and Research

Wonders and Worries of Nanotechnology: Who Benefits

Wonders and Worries of Nanotechnology: Regulation

Wonders and Worries of Nanotechnology
Same Sides and Let's Talk About It videos
Annual Events
- New Year's Day (January 1)
An opportunity to imagine the future as well as reflect on past past science and technology predictions - World Futures Day - Young Voices (March 1)
https://www.teachthefuture.org/young-voices-network/world-futures-day-2024
Teach the Future resources https://www.teachthefuture.org - World Futures Day (December 2)
UNESCO https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-futures
More Resources
- Teach for the Future https://www.teachthefuture.org/teaching-tools
Professional Learning Resources

Online Workshop Recording: Futures Thinking - Exploring Ideas and Developing Skills to Shape Our World

Public Engagement with Science: A guide to creating conversations among publics and scientists for mutual learning and societal decision-making

Nano & Society Workshop

Nanotechnology and Society Guide

Nano and Society Training Materials

Improv Exercises

Broadening Participation Booklet

Inclusive Audiences

Professional Resources for Sustainability