ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. ***************************************************************************** PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Preparing for the International Year of Astronomy (2009) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- The 2008 Meeting of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific St. Louis, MO: May 31 - June 4, 2008 Held in conjunction with the summer meeting of the American Astronomical Society, this exciting meeting will consist of hands-on workshops (over the weekend) and then a three-day symposium to help educators, scientists, public information professionals, and everyone working in astronomy and space-science outreach to prepare for the year-long celebration of 400 years of astronomy (since Galileo first turned his telescope to the skies). Endorsed by the United Nations, UNESCO and the International Astronomical Union, the 2009 International Year of Astronomy (IYA) aims to stimulate worldwide interest in science through engagement in astronomy activities -- with the central theme of “The Universe: Yours to Discover.” More than 100 countries are organizing events. The U.S. effort has the aim to provide “an engaging astronomy experience to every person in the country, to nurture existing partnerships, and to build new connections to sustain public interest in astronomy.” To learn more about the meeting program, visit and bookmark: http:// www.astrosociety.org/2008meeting (you can sign up for e-updates there). Presentations at this meeting can be made in the following formats: A. 3.5-hour weekend hands-on workshops for specific audiences (for example: teachers, museum educators, amateur astronomers, scientists wanting to do outreach, weather forecasters, etc.). B. Poster papers (for describing local activities or plans or previewing specific materials). C. 10-minute oral presentations (informational presentations on activities, plans, or programs of wider interest). D. 90-minute interactive presentations (hands-on program/activity demonstrations or interactive panels, training on a suite of materials -- typically with more than one presenter). For information on submitting a proposal for a presentation, please see: http://www.astrosociety.org/events/2008mtg/presentations.html ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Anna Hurst Astronomical Society of the Pacific 390 Ashton Ave. San Francisco, CA 94112 415-337-1100 ext. 108 [log in to unmask] www.astrosociety.org/afgu www.astrosociety.org/uitc ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *********************************************************************** For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org. Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org. The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html. To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to [log in to unmask]