Open Space Conference – Community Powered STEM Learning

Connect with peers across the informal /out-of-classroom STEM education field and talk about what’s most pressing, relevant, and important to you. The “Open Space” format centers the needs of each participant; pitch what topics you want to discuss (via this Google form), move between discussions as you need, and share notes at the end so everyone benefits! Our theme for this virtual Open Space is Community Powered STEM Learning and we welcome discussion topics that connect to that theme as well as ones that might not.

• You do not need to submit a topic or facilitate a discussion in order to attend.
• If you do propose a topic, you don’t need to have all of the answers or be an expert in the topic (presentations/lectures are discouraged!), but you do need to attend that discussion, and play the role of facilitator/moderator.

Open Space Schedule (10am – 12:30pm PT)

• 10:00am PT – Welcome
  • Opening Keynote Speaker, Claudia Bustos, Executive Director of Public Engagement at the Lawrence Hall of Science with “What Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show Can Teach Informal STEM Educators: Localization, Community, and the Future of Public Science”
• 10:25am PT – Open Space Framing
• 10:45am PT – Discussion Block #1
• 11:30am PT – Discussion Block #2
• 12:05pm PT – Closing
  • Closing Keynote Speaker, Charissa V. Jones, Ph.D., Oregon State University, with “We Gon’ Be Alright? Black Joy, Risk, and the Outdoors.”

Once you register or RSVP for the conference, use this Google form to submit a discussion topic.

If you require accommodation for a disability for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) or information about campus mobility access features in order to fully participate in this event, please contact us via email with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7-10 days in advance of the event.

We’ll be back in early December for another opportunity to participate in Open Space!