National NISE Net workshop on public forums

Dialogue and Deliberation: Building a Better Forum

Forums engage the public in dialogue and discussion around science topics. Workshop participants will work together to advance best practices within this format. Members of the NISE Net Forums team will share their experiences with hosting and evaluating recent forums. Together, attendees will address the challenges and potential of forums.

Agenda:

• Introductions
• Overview of forums, NISE Net and the catalog
• Overview of the Forums How to manual
• Debriefing and Evaluating Forums
• Breakout sessions. Topics include:
  • Science cafés
  • Diverse audiences
  • Forums at offsite community groups
  • Connecting with local researchers/scientists
  • Evaluating Forums
  • Incorporating technology into forums
  • Using theater programs in forums
  • Shorter forums with general visitors.
  • Working with researchers/Introducing the MRS database of researchers

Session leader: Karen Pollard, Program Lead, NISE Net, and Senior Exhibit Developer, Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul

Workshop participants are encouraged to attend the pre-workshop public forum at the Frankin Institute Oct. 16 , the evening before the workshop.

This workshop is open to ASTC attendees, with a limit of 30. Register for the forums workshop through your ASTC 2008 conference registration.