An Overview of the NISE Network

Presentation Overview NISE Network Network Community Educational Products Evaluation and Research

NISE Network Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network The NISE Net is a national community of researchers and informal science educators dedicated to fostering public awareness, engagement, and understanding of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology.

Renewal has been approved! Years 1-5: ended September 30, 2010 Years 6-10: begins October 1, 2010 NISE Network Funding Status

What is Nano? Nano is: Small: 1 billion nanometers in a meter Different properties at this scale Manipulating matter in different ways can lead to exciting breakthroughs in: Medicine Computing Energy Materials technologies

NISE Network: Goals Network community: increase capacity in the field Support partners in engaging the public in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology Form partnerships among Informal Science Education institutions (ISEs) and research centers Educational products: engage the public Develop and distribute educational products Raise public awareness and understanding of nano

NISE Network: Strategy NISE Network ISE organizations Research centers Network community partnerships practices and knowledge resources and materials workshops and training Educational products programs exhibits media tools and guides InputsOutputsOutcomes Increase capacity in the field to engage the public in nano Engage the public, increasing awareness and understanding of nano

Network Community

Network Community:

Network Community: Structure Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Lawrence Hall of Science Sciencenter Science Museum of Minnesota Children’s Museum of Houston The Franklin Institute Museum of Life and Science INTERNATIONA L ASTC CHILDREN’S MUSEUMS Children’s Museum of Houston Lawrence Hall of Science

Network Community: Role of Regional Hubs Share NISE Network resources with partners Support the infusion of nano content into partner museum institutions— increasing public impact Encourage further involvement in the network Connect informal science educators and local researchers

Network Community: Strategy Deep involvement Tier 2 ~100 Broad distribution Tier 3 >300

Network Community: Plans for 6-10 Regional site visits (some Tier 2 partners) Capacity building mini-grants (some Tier 2 partners) Promotional materials for partners Variety of professional development for informal science educators and for researchers

Professional Development

Network Community: Professional Impacts Pyramid more intense, greater impact funded partners NanoDays presenters, online workshop attendees, conference session attendees, nisenet.org users, NanoBite newsletter recipients less intense, lesser impact Tier 1: 14 organizations 100 people active at a time Tier 2: 100 organizations 300 people active at a time intensive workshops & network wide meeting participants Tier 3: many organizations 5,000 people by year 10

Network Community: Professional Development Regional meetings ( Years 7, 9, 10) Network wide meetings ( Years 6, 8, 10) National & pre-conference workshops (1-2/yr) Online workshops (2 per year) Tools, guides, and resources Science communication and inquiry for scientists and college students (REU workshops, sharing science, internships, presentations, broader impacts)

Educational Products

Educational Products Strategy: Public Outreach Pyramid shorter, less intense experiences longer, more intense experiences forums, summer camps cart demos, presentations tabletop exhibits, exhibits, NanoDays events partner products (DragonflyTV, NOVA Making Stuff) NISE Net public web portal page, videos on YouTube thousands millions tens of millions

Educational Products: Programs Public programs (demonstrations presentations, videos) Group programs (after school, school group, camps) Adult programs (science cafes, media) Training resources, tools, and guides for professional audiences

Educational Products: Exhibits Exhibits on display at OMSI, Museum of Science, and Arkansas Discovery Network Mini-exhibition under development, copies will be distributed in 2012

Educational Products: NanoDays 200 physical kits, 470,000 visitors in 2010 Application available online late October 2010 Digital materials online available January 2011

Educational Products: Website for professionals for the public Professional site: Catalog of online resources News and events Member directory Social networking links

Educational Products: Website Catalog > 200 products Programs Exhibits Media Tools and guides Evaluation reports

Content Map: 4 Big Ideas 1.Nanometer-sized things are very small, and often behave differently than larger things do. 1.Scientists and engineers have formed the interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology by investigating properties and manipulating matter at the nanoscale. 1.Nanoscience, nanotechnology, and nanoengineering lead to new knowledge and innovations that weren’t possible before. 1.Nanotechnologies have costs, risks, and benefits that affect our lives in ways we cannot always predict.

Public Engagement: Inclusive Audiences Define audiences and learning strategies Universal design Spanish language translations Resources for professionals

Evaluation & Research

Evaluation Impacts Public learning Professional capacity Network reach across audiences and organizations

Research in Years 6-10 Research studies to provide the field with new knowledge and understanding Partnership and network Change in educational practices Learning progressions Evidence-based decision making Educational products

THANK YOU! To all our partners - we could not do this work without you!

This presentation is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.