Communication on the Cutting Edge: Lessons from the Nanoscale

How can informal science institutions respond to major and rapid changes in science and technology? The Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network, NISE Net, is a multi-year effort to do just that, by bringing to bear the resources and ingenuity of a large and growing network of science centers, museums, and other partners working with support from the National Science Foundation (#0532536) to increase public awareness and knowledge of nanoscale science and technology and engagement with related issues. In this issue, Larry Bell of the Museum of Science, Boston, Principal Investigator of NISE Net, recaps highlights of the network's recent annual meeting and offers insights about science communication relevant for others in informal science education.—WP

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News and Updates

• NSF ISE program FAQs—If you are submitting a full proposal to the the NSF ISE program  on November 19, check the NSF FAQs for updated information. Only those who submitted preliminary proposals in June may submit full proposals.
• Funding forecast—The NSF ISE program received about 600 preliminary proposals in June in the Research, Pathways, Full-Scale Development, and Broad Implementation categories. Approximately 40% of those proposals were encouraged to submit a full proposal. The program expects to make 40 to 50 awards among the five main categories in FY2010 (October 1, 2009–September 30, 2010).
• Surrounded by Science: Learning Science in Informal Environments can be preordered now from the National Academies Press. Based on the National Research Council study Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, and Pursuits, this 220-page book provides case studies, questions, and illustrative examples for ISE practitioners. The book should be released in early 2010. Examination copies are available for graduate, undergraduate, and in-service instructors. For further information, contact customer_service@nap.edu.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

• October 30–November 2—Coming up at the ASTC Annual Conference, Fort Worth, Texas, are a number of sessions of special interest to readers of the CAISE Newsletter. For more, check here.
• November 2–6—Science Identity for Learners in Informal Environments. Online discussion in the CAISE Forum led by Johnny Fraser of the Institute of Learning Innovation and other researchers building on results of a recent survey about "science identity"—how learners view themselves with respect to science and become comfortable with, knowledgeable about, or interested in science. To join, set up an account in ASTC Connectand enroll in the CAISE Forum (keyword "informal").
• November 9–13—The Informal Science Education Infrastructure: It’s been called an “invisible infrastructure”—the rich diversity of places and pursuits that ignite our curiosity and support lifelong learning about science. Join John Falk of Oregon State University and other members of a CAISE Inquiry Group for a week of discussion in the CAISE Forum, and be one of the first to try out a guide to collecting stories that will help build a national portrait of the ISE infrastructure today. Set up an account in ASTC Connect and enroll in the CAISE Forum (keyword "informal").
• November 16–20—Intersections: Fostering Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships. Sandy Toro-Martell and Jean Creighton will lead an online discussion in the CAISE Forum about models and features of informal learning partnerships that lead to productive outcomes as part of a series that will continue over the next few months.  To join, or to read the transcript of an earlier Intersections discussion, set up an account in ASTC Connect and enroll in the CAISE Forum (keyword "informal").
• March 3–5, 2010—Informal Science Education Summit 2010, Washington, D.C., organized by CAISE with support from NSF.

• Photo courtesy of Allen Sharpe