NISE Net Exhibits & Programs Marketing Survey

During Year 1 of the Nanoscale Informal Science Education (NISE) Network, the Exhibits and Programs group, led by the Science Museum of Minnesota, conducted a marketing survey in an effort to find out what kinds of nano exhibits and programs institutions would find most useful, and what other forms of assistance the NISE Network could provide. Individuals from a total of 34 institutions (out of 48) completed the online survey for a 71% response rate. Key Findings: Respondents were most interested in the topics of nanoscience applied to biology, human body, and medicine (94%) and environmental sciences (86%). The educational programming of highest interest were demonstrations (82%) and tabletop or cart-based explainer kits (79%). The most common reasons why the institutions had not offered nanoscience exhibits or programs were that they had not had the opportunity (77%) and their staff was not knowledgeable about nanoscience (62%). Respondents were more interested in temporary exhibitions (91%), than long-term exhibitions (42%).