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Project Descriptions

Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network

October 1, 2005 - September 30, 2011 | Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks

The Museum of Science (MOS) seeks to establish a Network, a national infrastructure designed to foster public awareness, engagement and understanding of nanoscale science and engineering (NSE). As part of this undertaking, MOS will create a set of interactive, media-based and discourse-based educational productes based on NSE; generate new knowledge about design for learning and produce a sustainable network that involves inromal educators and researchers. Core partners are the Exploratorium and the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM). This project will establish for the first-time an open national network that links science centers across the nation, focusing for this award on the development and delivery of exhibits and programs addressing the interdisciplinary content areas of NSE. In addition, the Network will establish ties and collaborative relationships with university-based NSE research centers, including MRSEC's and NSEC's. An educational research and development component will address the challenges of public understanding of a difficult-to-grasp emerging field. Project deliverables will be created primarily at three sites. The Center for NISE Research at the Exploratorium will collect, develop and disseminate knowledge about how to communicate to target audiences. The NISE Center for Public Engagement at MOS will develop a network media framework for dissemination to other science centers, network radio (with WBUR), and produce forums for dialogue and deliberation with adult audiences. The NISE Center for Exhibit and Program Production and Dissemination at SMM will develop interactive exhibits, exhibition packages for distribution, and immersive media environments programs. Development of deliverables will involve the following science-technology center partners: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), OR; New York Hall of Science, NY; Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, TX; Museum of Life and Science, NC; Sciencenter, NY; and Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). NSE research partners include Main Street Science, Cornell University; Materials Research Society; University of Wisconsin Madison, MRSEC Interdisciplinary Education Group; and Purdue University, Envision Center for Data Perceptualization. The resulting Network and the knowledge gained as a result of this project are intended to produce a dramatic improvement in the capacity of the science center field to engage and educate the public about NSE, both in quality and quantity. By Year Five, there are expected to be NSE exhibits and activities at some 100 sites across the nation. In addition, the NSE research community should gain a deeper appreciation of the role that science centers can play as intermediaries in conveying scientific research to the public.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 0532536
Funding Amount: 19999169

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Larry Bell
    Principal Investigator
    Museum of Science
  • REVISE logo
    Co-Principal Investigator
  • Thomas Rockwell
    Co-Principal Investigator
  • 2014 10 06 Pmartin 08
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Science Museum of Minnesota
  • 2013 11 17 C
    Co-Principal Investigator
  • Catherine McCarthy headshot 2017   Ethan Kruszka for NISE Network MED RES sq crop
    Project Manager
    Sciencenter
  • 2013 06 04 B Flagg Photo
    Evaluator
    Multimedia Research
  • Discipline: Chemistry | Engineering | Physics | Technology
    Audience: General Public | Museum/ISE Professionals | Scientists
    Environment Type: Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks | Resource Centers and Networks

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