Cultivating Ensembles in STEM Education and Research, September 15-17, 2017
Conference Theme:
Cultivating Extraordinary Science Communities: Re-imagining Arts, Humanities, and STEM
Intersections of Physics and Performance for Physicists of Color
With a hypothesis that performance can aid in the effort to address the marginalization of black people in physics, this talk will overview ongoing research that examines the connections of identity, physics, and race, and present accounts of how performance is taken up in the lives of black physicists. We welcome researchers and practitioners to come and hear about preliminary work being done to examine intersections of physics identity and performance art, and methods for determining programmatic implications. Because this work is preliminary, we stress the interest in collaboration, and call for those interested in partnering and participating in future research. (10-min talk by Simone Hyater-Adams)
Stage Chemistry: The Science and Math in Technical Theater
This interactive session will engage with Goodman Theatre’s STEM program based in technical theater, Stage Chemistry. Through conversation with teachers who have worked with the program and participation in one of the program’s interactive workshops, participants will be exposed to a range of STEM, and why theater is the perfect way to teach them. (Interactive session by Anna Gelman, Willa J. Taylor, Brigitte Wittmer, Brandi Lee, Elizabeth Rice, Adrian Azevedo)
Writing Science for Your Audience
Learn how to write and explain science materials to audiences of all ages (ages 0 to 18), the general public, and scientists. The presenter will share tips and tools to make science writing easier for audiences of all ages to understand. (10-min talk by Andrea Gwosdow)
Whose Idea Is It Anyway?
STEM fields value and reward the ownership of ideas. This culture does not encourage collaboration and support, and it promotes insular thinking and distrust. In this workshop, participants will develop skills for finding the best idea, without focusing on whose idea it was. The collaborative yes, and culture of improvisational theatre will teach participants how to listen, be open to new ideas, adapt, and create a safe environment for creativity. Participants will learn to appreciate the value of others, and the potential for greater innovation through collaboration. These skills will then be applied to a scientific learning exercise exploring Newton’s Laws. Participants will be challenged to use both analytical and emotional skills to find a path that would otherwise be hidden. (Professional Development Workshop by Nancy Watt and Carolyn Sealfon)
What is a better version of you, than you?
In this fun and interactive 45-minute workshop we will explore what is the importance of feelings and how emotions can support communication. Along with a series of questions, performance techniques, directed feedback and a volunteer “performer” from the audience we as a group can support each other in dealing with the obstacles of communicating with each other. This workshop will give you the foundation blocks to recognize your own style or begin the journey of how to be more effective communicating to others. (45-min interactive session by Mia Anderson)
Choreographing Code: Integrating Dance & Technology
Come join STEM From Dance (SFD) for the chance to experience a unique program in which you will learn how to fuse dance and technology to create a one-of-a-kind performance. During your time with SFD, you will learn a dance routine, how technology can be used to enhance the routine, and create your own short, tech-infused dance. (Interactive session by Emma Shockley)
Unpacking Unconscious Bias
Our brains are wired for bias; it is neither good nor bad. Bias is. The challenge is that “Unconscious Bias” runs in the background of our subconscious minds, impacting every interaction that we have every day. During this session we will explore bias & unconscious bias through the prism of our own lives, communities, and organizations with an eye towards increasing inclusion for all. (Interactive session by Ellen Feldman Ornato and Jenny Drescher)
Behind the scenes at Curiosity: A web series capturing the making of a scientist
At STAGE Lab at the University of Chicago, we are developing a documentary-style “web series” uncovering the lives and stories of scientists, their motivations and their thinking. Our goal is to show the human side of scientists and explore their views on the intersection of science and society. The presentation will feature excerpts from our series highlighting its unique aspects. We will also explain how the scientific and design methods have contributed to its creation. (10-min presentation by Sunada Prabhu-Gaunkar)
Launching History Communication: Lessons from a Multidisciplinary Approach
History today is communicated through a wide array of formats and across a growing variety of media platforms. Audiences include policy makers, federal, state and local officials, educators, students, journalists, funders, pundits, commentators, social media followers, enthusiasts and those with only casual interest. The outcomes and risks associated with these communications have broad consequences for society as well as historians and other history practitioners. In this workshop, scholars involved in the founding of the history communication discipline will demonstrate the importance of this new field, how it compares to similar fields and practices, and reveal some of the new tools and resources utilized in the history communication classroom. The workshop will reveal integrated education and technique at a unique and essential scope; the development of new ways of teaching, learning, and communicating about vital topics. (Share Faire presentation by Eric Olson and Jason Steinhauer)
Improvisational games for collaboration: Risk, fail, celebrate, and continue!
In this participatory workshop, we will play games rooted in theatre and improvisation to learn to work together as a group, to notice and use body language and eye contact cues for communication and collaboration, and to keep the action going as a group or in a partnership. We will celebrate failure and move on from it, continuing to play, practice, and learn. Come have some fun! Participants will be provided with handouts detailing game set-up, rules, and variations so that they can take the games to their own students, lab groups, or workshops. (Interactive Session by Carolyn Kroehler)
Contact info@cestemer.org for more information and to help organize.
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