Nano is an interactive exhibition that engages family audiences in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Hands-on exhibits present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce some real world applications, and explore the societal and ethical implications of this new technology....
Volunteer experts are a key ingredient to many successful public engagement efforts. Volunteer networks focused on astronomy and space include: 1) Solar System Ambassadors Program, 2) Night Sky Network of astronomy clubs, and 3) AAS Astronomy Ambassadors 1) The Solar...
Creating Nanomaterials is an interactive, multimedia component of the Intro to Nanotechnology exhibit package that demonstrates how scientists are using the ability of molecules to self-assemble to create consumer goods with surprising properties. Visitors place and observe "molecules" on an...
"Exploring Size - Scented Solutions" is a hands on activity illustrating how small nano is. By sniffing a series of diluted scent solutions, visitors discover that nano-sized particles may be too small to see, but they're not too small to...
In this activity, learners make a mask with a special feature: an LED bulb that lights up. The activity is designed to prompt conversation and reflection about responsible innovation, inspired by themes raised in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein.
"Exploring Properties - Capillary Action" is a hands on activity in which visitors explore how liquids flow in narrow spaces. Visitors investigate how this behavior allows liquids to flow against gravity and soak into coffee filters.
In this episode of O Wow Moments from the Children’s Museum of Houston, Mr. O is up against the supervillain Dr. Blot and his desire to stain everyone! Actually, it's just a fun excuse to examine how nanotechnology and nanoscale...
Big Fish, Little Fish is a cart demo that can also be used as a classroom activity that focuses on what biomagnification is and how it happens in our ecosystems. Visitors will see a short visual demonstration followed by an...
"Exploring Earth: Paper Mountains" lets participants explore the way the shape of the land and the pull of gravity influence how water moves over Earth. By making unique mountain models from crumpled paper and watching how water moves across them,...
In My Community, museum visitors can draw their neighborhoods and talk about what they like best or least about the places they live. They can check out the Changing Communities, and think of ways these spaces could be improved to...
In this episode of O Wow Moments featuring Mr. O from the Children’s Museum of Houston, we play a little game called "Guess That Smell!" where we explore how our sense of smell works. It turns out that we are...
"Exploring Materials - Memory Metal" is a hands on activity in which visitors compare the properties of a memory metal spring to an ordinary spring. They learn that the way a material behaves on the macroscale is affected by its...
"Nanotechnology: What's the Big Deal?" is a broad overview of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by nanoscale science, and dives into the super tiny scale of nanotechnology.
"Exploring Size - Moving Molecules" is a hands-on activity in which visitors use an air cannon toy to spin pinwheels. They learn that air is made up of molecules, which are tiny nanometer-sized particles.
"Exploring Structures - DNA" is a hands-on activity in which visitors create a necklace of wheat germ DNA. They learn that self-assembly is a process by which molecules and cells form themselves into functional structures.
In collaboration with NASA, the NISE Network has assembled a set of engaging, hands-on Earth and space science experiences with connections to science, technology, and society.
Our NanoDays promotional videos invite learners of all ages to "come see what's so big about the super small!" Invite your visitors to celebrate nano science, engineering, and technology at your NanoDays event! Choose from either the 30 second or...
In this film "Zoom into a Lotus Leaf," see an up close look at the tiny nanostructures that give the leaf its unique behavior. The Lotus Leaf is a symbol of purity because it appears to be perpetually clean. We...
"Exploring the Universe: Filtered Light" demonstrates how scientists can use telescopes and other tools to capture and filter different energies of light to study the universe. Most objects in the universe are so distant from us that we can only...
"Exploring Size - Measure Yourself" is a hands-on activity in which visitors mark their height on a height chart and discover how tall they are in nanometers. They learn that although being a billion nanometers tall sounds impressive, it doesn't...
In this episode of O Wow Moments with Mr. O from the Children's Museum of Houston, learn how nanotechnology is being used to create new types of protective fabrics.
This zoom video explores the inner-workings of a microchip. We start with a digital camera and transition to a scanning electron microscope. You'll see the tiny wires and the cris-crossing patterns of the microchip's circuits while learning a bit about...
This is a hands-on Building with Biology activity. Visitors learn about the ways synthetic biologists can solve problems through creativity and the engineering process. Visitors are first challenged to design a superhero (by attaching cut-out features to a paper template,...
This is a hands-on activity for Building with Biology, in which visitors explore the engineering aspect of synthetic biology by solving challenges through building a model cell with standardized genetic parts. Many genetic components can be used as part of...
"Exploring Fabrication - Electroplating" is a hands on activity in which visitors coat a nickel coin with copper using the electroplating process. They learn that electroplating can deposit nanometer-thin layers of materials.