Communicating Science: EPO Conference	Galileo Teacher Training Program Workshop	Registration	Abstract Guidelines
Conference Schedule	Become an Exhibitor or Sponsor	Lodging	Transportation
Committees	Sponsors	FAQ	Proceedings
Program Preview	Workshop Scholarships

A National Meeting organized by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in partnership with the American Geophysical Union, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory and Pima Community College.

August 4-8, 2012
The DoubleTree Tucson – Reid Park, Tucson, Arizona

Communicating Science: an Education and Public Outreach Symposium (August 6-8)

Galileo Teacher Training Program: An Astronomy Workshop for Teachers in Grades 3-12 and Those Who Work With Them (August 4-5)

We invite you to join us in the lovely setting of the American Southwest to consider the joys and the challenges of communicating our understanding of the universe and science in general--whether in the classroom, in a museum or nature center, through books, journals and magazines, on the web, via festivals and fairs, on radio and television, or through social media. Preceding the conference will be a two-day workshop for educators in grades 3-12 and in informal settings, to help enhance their communication of science to their students and audiences.

Anyone involved in or with an interest in science education and public outreach (EPO) and science communication is welcome, including scientists and EPO professionals from NASA and NSF projects, planetariums, museums, science centers, universities, scientific organizations, research institutions, parks, nature centers, and afterschool settings; K-14 teachers and instructors; administrators; education researchers and program evaluators; book authors, science journalists, podcasters, bloggers, public information officers, webmasters; amateur astronomers doing outreach; and those interested in these fields of endeavor. It’s a chance to share, learn, network, and collaborate as we all work, in our various ways, to create the scientifically literate society we need to secure a future of continuing scientific and technology.

The planned line-up of Conference speakers boasts diverse and distinguished scientists, educators and communicators:

• Michael Mann, of Pennsylvania State University, a pioneer in the study of global climate change, who will address "Science Denial in the U.S." and his experiences on the front lines of the public climate debate.
• Sheila Tobias, nationally renowned author, who will discuss the state of K-12 teaching in the U.S. and the challenges of being a science teacher in our times.
• Charles Petit, prize-winning science journalist and former president of the National Association of Science Writers, who will report on the state of science journalism in the era of Twitter.
• Philip Christensen, Professor at Arizona State University, an investigator for several Mars missions and a leading expert on Mars, who will report the latest news about the Red Planet just as the Curiosity Rover is landing.
• Plenary Panel on Science Misconceptions and how to uncover and address them effectively.
• Plenary Panel on Diversity and Evaluation and how to address cultural differences in designing programs with desired impact.
• Plenary Panel on Doomsday 2012 (how could we not?) and how to address bogus science and frightened public in the latest end-of-the-world scenario, and how “cosmophobia” is a challenge to science communication, featuring David Morrison of NASA's "Ask an Astrobiologist" website.

The Conference Program will feature the following timely topics:

• Communicating Science in the 21st Century: Media and Technology – identifying trends, challenges & opportunities in science media/journalism, balancing traditional & non-traditional approaches, navigating the mobile information universe.
• Communicating Science Across Cultures – reaching and serving diverse audiences effectively, building awareness, handling cultural differences, crafting respectful partnerships.
• Communicating Science to Address Misconceptions & Conceptual Change – uncovering Earth and space science misconceptions, building correct conceptual models, strategizing greater student and public understanding of scientific methods and concepts.
• How Do We Know We Are Making a Difference? – modeling effective evaluation & research in science education, outreach and communication, working with evaluators, constructing objectives, measuring impact. 
• Improving Our Practice – sharing best practices and experiences in science education, outreach, and communication, forging collaborations, connecting our efforts.

Much more is in the works, including a special Opening Reception, a Curiosity Landing Pajama Party, and our popular concluding Happy Hour with prize drawings!

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Detailed Meeting Information

Preliminary Daily Schedule

More about the Communicating Science Conference

More about the weekend Galileo Teacher Training Program Workshop

Instructions for registration

Instructions to submit abstracts for workshops, oral sessions, or poster papers

Invitation to become a co-sponsor or exhibitor at the meeting

Lodgings for meeting attendees

Transportation to Tucson

Things to do in Tucson

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the conference

Organizing Committees and Conference Staff

Sign up to receive more information about the conference as it becomes available.

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Any questions? Please direct them to: 2012meeting {at} astrosociety.org