National Science Foundation (NSF)

21/08/2026

As robotic technology becomes more integrated into everyday life, are you able to answer the seemingly simple question, "What is a robot?"

Modern robots are designed to carry out physical tasks, often with minimal human guidance, by sensing their surroundings, processing information and performing actions. For decades, NSF investments have expanded the capabilities of robots—from executing simple tasks to performing physical feats like running and jumping.

https://brnw.ch/21x56AU

20/08/2026

Who designs roller coasters, builds bridges, creates video games and invents robots? Engineers! 🎢🤖 🎮

The latest episode of "NSF's Discovery Files: Science for Kids" teaches children how engineering combines science, math, and creativity to solve problems and create things that enhance our lives.

18/08/2026

We are in a quantum era. ⚛️

For decades, NSF investments have helped uncover how quantum materials behave. They defy the usual rules of everyday physics with unique properties that are driving advancements in data storage, fiber-optic communications and highly sensitive magnetic field detectors used in technologies like MRI scanners. 🧲

Learn more about how quantum materials are expanding our understanding of matter and opening new possibilities for future technologies: https://brnw.ch/21x51dN.

📸: Jigang Wang, Iowa State University

17/08/2026

Albert Einstein first predicted ripples in space-time, also known as gravitational waves, in 1916 — but it took almost a century to confirm his theory. 🌌

In 2015, the U.S. National Science Foundation Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (NSF LIGO) proved Einstein's general theory of relativity by detecting waves created by the collision of two black holes 1.3 billion light-years from Earth.

Since then, NSF LIGO has turned the detection of once elusive gravitational waves into a weekly occurrence, identifying dozens of black hole merger events and opening a new window to the universe.

https://brnw.ch/21x4ZMm

📸: Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes (SXS) project, CC BY NC 2.5

12/08/2026

Eyes to the sky. There's a total solar eclipse today. 🌒

As the moon passes in between the sun and Earth, it provides a unique opportunity for researchers to examine everything from the solar corona to impacts on planetary bodies, including Earth. The path of totality — the path at which the sun will be completely blocked by the moon — will include the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, Atlantic Ocean, Portugal and northern Spain.

See how much of the eclipse can be viewed: https://brnw.ch/21x4Sg2

From webcasts to making a pinhole camera, NSF National Solar Observatory assembled a list of eclipse resources: https://brnw.ch/21x4Sg3.

📸: Charlotte Geary/NSF

10/08/2026

Prepare the future scientists in your life for a new year of learning with "NSF's Discovery Files Kids" educational videos. 🪐🦖🧫🦈

These quick, quippy clips cover a wide range of topics, from exploring the solar system to examining cells and fossils, studying comets and asteroids, learning about oceanography and understanding artificial intelligence.

You can browse through the videos on NSF's YouTube: https://brnw.ch/21x4Oyf.

06/08/2026

Witness the sun like never before. ☀️

Using the world's most powerful solar telescope, the NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, scientists may have found a key reason why the sun's outer atmosphere gets so hot and why magnetic energy builds up and moves around it: Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI).

The confirmation of KHI on the sun's surface could fundamentally change how we understand solar physics and its impact on the Earth.

Captured here is the highest-resolution image of the sun’s surface (photosphere), taken at 416 nm.

📸: NSF/National Solar Observatory/AURA/MPS

https://brnw.ch/21x4J93

03/08/2026

NSF announced a pilot of a new four-year Ph.D. model that will provide more than 250 doctoral students nationwide with hands-on experience in industry research and development as part of their graduate education.

NSF is investing $47 million over five years, along with additional financial commitments from nearly three dozen universities and private industry, to launch the initiative led by UIDP.

"By bringing universities and industry together, we are preparing doctoral students for the full range of careers where American innovation happens, advancing the administration's vision for a new Golden Age of American Science and strengthening U.S. leadership in science and technology," said Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director.

Learn more:

The U.S. National Science Foundation announced a $47 million investment over five years, along with additional financial commitments from nearly three dozen universities and private industry...

31/07/2026

🦈 Celebrate with the largest known shark to ever exist: the megalodon. Watch the "NSF Discovery Files" episode, "What Was Megalodon? Science for Kids," for a simple overview of this prehistoric marine predator and why they no longer roam the oceans.

Can you imagine a giant shark?! Th...

30/07/2026

🎓College-bound students, this is for you!

This week, NSF announced the first awards to advance artificial intelligence and cybersecurity education and workforce development through the CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program.

CyberAI SFS broadens cybersecurity education to reflect the increasingly interconnected relationship between AI and cybersecurity. Projects aim to prepare students not only to leverage AI to strengthen cybersecurity operations, including threat detection, incident response and digital forensics, but also to develop AI systems that are resilient, secure and capable of withstanding evolving cyber threats.

Learn about the awardees: https://brnw.ch/21x4xST