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ASTC Annual Conference 2019

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Date

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) 2019 Annual Conference was hosted by the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, Canada from September 21 through September 24, 2019. 

The ASTC 2019 Conference theme is Moonshots: Rendezvous with the Future


Photos

Videos


NISE Network Partner Breakfast

The NISE Network will be hosting a breakfast for staff from partner institutions (no need to RSVP).



Booth and Exhibit Hall

The NISE Network will have a booth in the exhibit hall featuring public engagement activities and resources including information about upcoming projects opportunities.

Booth #327

  • Saturday September 21, 2019: 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
  • Sunday September 22, 2019:  9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Download current projects and opportunities flyer (revised 10-3-2019) (PDF)


PreConference Intensive Workshops

  • Let’s Do Chemistry: Designing and facilitating chemistry activities to increase interest, relevance, and self-efficacy 
    Learn about a framework for designing and facilitating hands-on informal chemistry activities that increase learners’ interest, relevance and self-efficacy. We’ll explore video interactions with visitors that embody the framework, practice and discuss hands-on activities that can help to promote these positive attitudes, and apply the framework to other activities. Limited to 50 people. Preregistration required. Fee: $150 per person (Attendee fees include meals and transportation, if necessary). See more of: Preconference Intensive Workshops
    • Friday, September 20, 2019: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
    • Meeting Room 715 (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
    • Workshop Session Leader: 
      • David Sittenfeld, Manager, Forums & National Collaborations, Museum of Science
    • Presenters:
      • Ali Jackson, Director of National Collaborations, Sciencenter,
      • Rae Ostman, Assistant Research Professor, Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning, Arizona State University,
      • Elizabeth Kollmann, Manager, Research and Evaluation, Museum of Science,
      • David Sittenfeld, Manager, Forums & National Collaborations, Museum of Science,
      • Patricia Galvan, Program Manager, Office of Science Outreach, American Chemical Society
         
  • Playing with the future: Creating exhibits and programs that immerse visitors in futures thinking
    Meet professional “futurists” and learn how futures thinking, skills, and ideas have been integrated into science centers and children’s museums. Then work in small groups to brainstorm and develop ideas for new STEM learning experiences that immerse public audiences in envisioning the kind of future we want to live in.Limited to 30 people. Preregistration required. Fee: $75 per person (Attendee fees include snack and transportation, if necessary). See more of: Preconference Intensive Workshops
    • Friday, September 20, 2019: 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
    • Meeting Room 718a (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
    • Workshop Session Leader:

      • Rae Ostman, Assistant Research Professor, Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning, Arizona State University

    • Presenters:
      • Meredith Doby, Vice President of Exhibits, The DoSeum,
      • Paul Martin, Co-director, Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning, Arizona State University,
      • Peter Bishop, Founder and Executive Director, Teach the Future,
      • Joe Tankersley, Principal Consultant, Unique Visions and Stuart Candy, Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
    • Download slides (PPTX)
    • Download slides (PDF)

Concurrent Sessions, Posters, and Talks

  • Exhibit Hall Hyperwall talk - NISE Network
    • Saturday, September 21, 2019: 10:45am
    • David Sittenfeld, Museum of Science 
    • Exhibit Hall Hyperwall Talk at the NASA booth

 

 

  • Exhibit Hall Hyperwall talk - NASA Resources from the NISE Network
    • Saturday, September 21, 2019: 1:00 PM-1:15 PM
    • Darrell Porcello, Children's Creativity Museum 
    • Exhibit Hall Hyperwall Talk at the NASA booth
    • Download slides (PDF)

 

  • Same Tree, Invasive Species, or Overlapping Niches in an Ecosystem?
    • Saturday, September 21, 2019: 2:15 PM-3:30 PM
    • Meeting Room 718a (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
    • Session Leader:
      • Melissa Ballard, Communications & Community Manager, CAISE
    • Session Moderator:
      • Jamie Bell, Project Director, Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE)
    • Presenters:
      • Chantal Barriault, Research Advisor, Science North,
      • John Besley, Associate Professor and Ellis N. Brandt Chair in Public Relations, Michigan State University,
      • Rae Ostman, Assistant Research Professor, Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning, Arizona State University
      • Sara Yeo, Assistant Professor, Communication, University of Utah
    • Museums and science centers are increasingly addressing socioscientific issues in their programming and exhibits. Science communication practitioners seek to reach diverse, underrepresented audiences with broader impacts and education activities. In this session, researchers and practitioners will share and compare theory, strategy, and findings, surfacing opportunities and challenges for mutual learning.

 

  • Tinkering with Maker and Chemistry-based Activity Facilitation Frameworks
    The discussion will showcase how a new facilitation framework was adapted from and developed through existing maker/tinkering facilitation strategies to address issues surrounding visitor attitudes about chemistry. Audiences will learn more about different types of facilitation frameworks that can be combined, customized and implemented to impact learning goals.
    • Sunday, September 22, 2019: 10:00 AM-11:30 AM

    • Hall E (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)

    • Poster Leader:
      Hever Velazquez, Evaluation & Research Associate, Science Museum of Minnesota

    • Presenters:

      • Gretchen Haupt, Evaluation and Research Associate, Science Museum of Minnesota,

      • Rae Ostman, Associate Research Professor, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University

      • Mike Petrich, Making - Learning Studio, Exploratorium

    • Download Poster (PDF)

  • STEM Celebrations! Moon landings, Earth Day 50th anniversary, International Year of Periodic Table, Solar Eclipses
    These simultaneous celebrations are an exciting way for public audiences to engage in STEM content both inside and outside museum walls. Presenters will focus on the ways we can capture audience attention and transform interest in large-scale anniversaries and events into meaningful public engagement in STEM at our local museums.
    • Sunday, September 22, 2019: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM  (POSTER #24)
    • Hall E (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
    • Poster Leader: 
      • Catherine McCarthy, Project LeaderNISE Network, Science Museum of Minnesota
    • Presenters:
      • Meghan Curry, Executive Director, Insights El Paso
      • Michele Kloda, Director of Learning Environments, Museum of Life and Science
      • Amelia Chapman, Education Program Specialist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
      • Christina Carlson, Manager, Science Beyond the Boundaries, Saint Louis Science Center
    • Download Poster (PDF)

 

  • Exhibit Hall Hyperwall talk - NASA Resources from the NISE Network
    • Sunday, September 22, 2019: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
    • Darrell Porcello, Children's Creativity Museum 
    • Exhibit Hall Hyperwall Talk at the NASA booth
    • Download slides (PDF)

 

  • Bringing chemists and chemistry experiments into your museum and out into your community
    Hands-on chemistry is a great way to get visitors involved with the process of science. Chemistry can be inspiring, fun, and messy! Learn about how to get more chemistry into your museum: getting stakeholder buy-in, training staff and volunteers, planning for safety, materials handling and storage, and finding collaborators.
    • Sunday, September 22, 2019: 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Meeting Room 701b (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
    • Session Leader: Catherine McCarthy, Project LeaderNISE Network, Science Museum of Minnesota
    • Presenters:
      • Darrell Porcello, Director, STEM Networks and Partnerships, Children’s Creativity Museum
      • Soma Chatterji, STEM Education Coordinator, Carnegie Science Center
      • Emily Belle, Education Program Coordinator, Sciencenter
      • Patricia Galvan, American Chemical Society
    • Download slides (PPTX)
    • Download slides (PDF)

 

  • Enabling a climate-resilient future through community partnerships
    Frequent natural disasters are the new normal and cities are struggling to be resilient. Come learn about NOAA-funded projects that enable climate resilience through community partnerships including teens becoming advocates for resilient communities, citizen science and public dialogue forums, integration of art, and students engaging in their coastal community's resilience.
    • Sunday, September 22, 2019: 1:45 PM-3:00 PM
    • Meeting Room 714b (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
    • Session Leader:
      • Carrie McDougall, Senior Program Manager, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA)
    • Presenters:
      • David Sittenfeld, Manager, Forums & National Collaborations, Museum of Science,
      • Avalon Bunge, STEM Education Specialist, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk,
      • Bryan Wunar, Director of Community Initiatives, Museum of Science and Industry,
      • Jen Kretser, Director of Programs and the Youth Climate Summit Initiative, The Wild Center, The Wild Center/Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks
      • Kathryn Semmens, Science Director, The Nurture Nature Center

 

  • Moonshots in the museum: Creative ways to engage museum audiences in big challenges
    Explore ways to engage museum visitors in learning about today’s “moonshots,” including space exploration, sustainable living on Earth, and increased understanding of the human brain. Presenters will explore a variety of programmatic approaches to big challenges, and then we’ll divide into small groups and participate in rapid design charrettes.
    • Sunday, September 22, 2019: 3:15 PM-4:30 PM
    • Meeting Room 715 (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
    • Session Leader:
      • Rae Ostman, Assistant Research Professor, Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning, Arizona State University
    • Presenters:
      • Darrell Porcello, Director, STEM Networks and Partnerships, Children’s Creativity Museum,
      • Jayatri Das, Chief Bioscientist, The Franklin Institute,
      • Sari Custer, Chief Curiosity Officer, Arizona Science Center,
      • Jeannie Colton, Program Coodinator, Arizona State University
      • Paul Martin, Co-director, Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning, Arizona State University
    • Download slides (PPTX)
    • Download slides (PDF)

 

  • Science Outreach at the Cutting Edge: Design-a-palooza
    How can science centers design experiences around cutting-edge science phenomena that are abstract, complex, and unfamiliar to the public? After a short panel discussion, session participants will play the Design Game, in which we will propose design strategies for randomly assigned content, audiences, and modalities generated through audience participation.
    • Monday, September 23, 2019: 9:15 AM-10:30 AM
    • Meeting Room 717 (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
    • Session Leader:
      • Lee Bishop, Biotechnology Lead, Lawrence Hall of Science
    • Presenters:
      • Ari Krakowski, Learning Labs and Digital Apps Director, Lawrence Hall of Science,
      • Stacey Forsyth, Director, CU Science Discovery, University of Colorado, Boulder,

      • David Sittenfeld, Manager, Forums & National Collaborations, Museum of Science

      • Brian Mernoff, Education Programs Coordinator, MIT Museum


NISE Network Networking Happy Hour

Many NISE Network members will gather for networking during the  "Welcome to Toronto Meetups" time slot  

Attached Files