Elementary teachers are welcome to register for the Zoom workshop "Linking Literature and Science," a pre-conference workshop being held Aug. 14, before the official start of SciComm 2020, a three-day conference on effective science communication hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
In this workshop on Friday, Aug. 14, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. CDT, Lindsay Rogers of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will help teachers understand how to use children's literature books to incorporate science and math lessons. She will explore several books and show ways to engage children in the science and math lessons presented in the books. Participants will learn about providing long-term science investigations for students while also gaining confidence in sharing science and nature with children.
Registration for the workshop can be found at: https://forms.gle/7gojXaBimtMHboMP7. Thirty spots are open, and the registration will close when capacity is reached.
While registration for the SciComm 2020 conference is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged, to give you access to the speakers' webinars and presentations from Aug. 14-16.
Registration for SciComm 2020 ends Aug. 1. Keynote speakers for the 2020 conference are Raven Baxter, known as Raven the Science Maven; Dr. Uché Blackstock, founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity; Andrew Revkin of the Initiative on Communication and Sustainability; and Dr. Christopher Volpe of ScienceCounts.
Baxter, also known as Raven the Science Maven, is a science communicator and molecular biologist who works to progress the state of science culture by creating spaces that are inclusive, educational, and real. Raven is known for her unique style of combining science, music and cultural awareness as an entertaining content creator and musician. She creates STEM-themed music that teaches and empowers both students and professionals in STEM and beyond. Raven speaks internationally to students, educators and leaders about the importance of STEM diversity and innovation in science education. Raven is the founder of STEMbassy, a science advocacy organization that embraces a diverse and accomplished membership of scientists, engineers, and tech professionals that serve as leaders to the next generation of STEM.
Blackstock is a thought leader on health inequities and racism in health care. Formerly an associate professor in the department of emergency medicine and the faculty director for recruitment, retention and inclusion in the Office of Diversity Affairs at the NYU School of Medicine for 10 years, Blackstock left NYU in 2019 to focus on Advancing Health Equity, which partners with healthcare and healthcare-related organizations to address the critical factors contributing to health inequity.
Revkin is a science journalist for the New York Times and the founding director of the Initiative at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, where he builds programs, courses and collaborations that bridge the gap between climate science and society.
Volpe is the executive director and a founding board member of ScienceCounts, a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting awareness of and support for science. There, he develops data-driven social marketing strategies to foster connections between the scientific community and the public.
The complete schedule of events will be updated here as details are finalized. Follow the SciComm Twitter and Instagram accounts for more updates.
Sponsors of this year’s conference include the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education, which will be running the conference on Zoom; Nebraska's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research; the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Education and Human Sciences, and Engineering; the Agricultural Research Division; Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication; Nebraska Biotechnology Center; the departments of Entomology, Agronomy and Horticulture, Communication Studies, and Natural Resources; the Office of Research and Economic Development; the schools of Biological Sciences and Natural Resources; Nebraska 4-H; the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts; and the University of Nebraska State Museum; all at Nebraska, with additional support from a National Institute of General Medical Sciences Science Education Partnership Award.