What is informal science education?
Informal science education supports people of all ages and walks of life in exploring science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Making Stuff
Making Stuff is a four-part NOVA television series that highlights current advances in the field of materials science. The series showcases the importance of materials science through a historical perspective and demonstrates how this field is shaping the future. Major funding for Making Stuff was provided by the National Science Foundation (DRL-0610307) with additional funding from the Department of Energy and American Elements, and the cooperation of the Materials Research Society.
Beyond the broadcast, Making Stuff includes a robust outreach campaign with partners in museums, schools, universities, labs, and businesses across the country. These partners have united to form local and regional coalitions, creating opportunities for youth, families, educators, and engineers and scientists to engage in a range of educational activities that explore various aspects of materials science, widening the exposure to a field that affects all of modern society.
The NOVA television series is hosted by David Pogue, New York Times technology columnist and Emmy Award–winning CBS News correspondent. Throughout the four episodes, he travels the world to meet with scientists who work at the cutting edge of materials science. Each episode focuses on a specific aspect of materials science research and application.
Stronger documents the search for the world’s strongest materials, and explores how the strength found in nature can be imitated to create more durable materials. Smaller looks at nanotechnology to show how materials constructed on the atomic scale are leading to breakthroughs in medical and other technologies. Cleaner explores alternative energy sources like bio-based fuels and solar power, and sustainable ways to generate, store, and distribute clean energy. Smarter introduces “smart” materials that can change and react to their environment, often following principles found in the natural world.
Two publications were developed to help extend the reach of materials science to the public across a range of informal education environments. The Making Stuff Activity Guide was developed for after school settings, and contains four activities that can be conducted using easily obtained, inexpensive materials. The Making Stuff Toolkit has information, guidelines, and resources to use when planning and hosting different kinds of community-based Making Stuff events. Elements from any or all of these resources can be customized to meet the needs of a particular audience.