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Dear Bonnie:
 
Here are several ideas for new conference formats:
 
1.  Briefing papers and working sesions.  The Self-Reliance  Foundation 
recently organized a conference entitled "Expanding Informal Science  for 
Latino,"  which was attended by 128 representatives from informal  science 
education, media, community/youth organizations, and Latino STEM  organizations.  
The purpose was to examine needs, resources, and new  strategies regarding 
Latino participation in science.  For the opening day,  we asked presenters 
to prepare briefing papers on specific issues (e.g.,  culturally appropriate 
evaluations), to make a brief presentation (20-30  minutes).  We then broke 
down attendees into several smaller groups;  participants identified issues, 
came up with ideas for new projects, discussed  best practices.  The idea 
was to minimize sheer presentation of  information, but to have an informed 
audience (who had read the briefing papers)  that could intelligently discuss 
issues and maybe even suggest some new  strategies.  The format was rated 
highly in our post-conference  survety.
 
2.  Pre-conference prof. dev. workshops:  The Visitor Studies  Association 
provides an opportunity for individuals to propose professional  development 
sessions that occur the day or two before their conference.   Typical 
workshops may be survey design, sampling techniques, etc. -- basic and  important 
topics that are highly relevant to their field.  Participants pay  a 
registration fee to attend a workshop, the presenter gets (I think) free  
conference admission and the field benefits by having rich prof. dev.  
opportunities.  I think VSA even makes a bit of money on this.
 
Robert L.  Russell, Ph.D.
Principal, Learning Experience  Design
[log in to unmask]
(202) 997-5539

Science  Advisor
Self-Reliance Foundation
Project Director, Celebra la Ciencia  & ConCiecia/Hispanic Science Newswire

(202) 997-5539 (cell)

_www.selfreliancefoundation.org_ (http://www.selfreliancefoundation.org/) 
_www.celebralaciencia.org_ (http://www.celebralaciencia.org/) 
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