Seminar: Designing Accessible Conference Presentations
Monday, February 27
4 pm EST / 3 pm CST / 2 pm MST / 1 pm PST
Do you have an oral or poster presentation at LPSC or another conference? Join this virtual, 60-minute seminar to learn strategies for making the format, colors, choice of wording, figures, and presentation style accessible to all attendees.
This recording is available online.
Slides are available for download.
Sharing Planetary Science: Adapting Your Talks
Thursday, October 20
1 pm EDT/ 12 pm CDT/ 11 am MDT/ 10 am PDT
It can be challenging to adjust a planetary science presentation for a new audience: children, students, amateur astronomers, and others. Join this session to learn about and discuss strategies for tailoring a presentation to specific audiences. This session is free and open to all members of the planetary science community who wish to learn more about engaging public audiences.
This recording is available online.
Slides are available for download.
Sharing Planetary Science: Using Hands-On Activities
Friday, July 22
3:00 p.m. CDT (4 Eastern/ 3 Central/ 2 Mountain/ 1 Pacific)
Learn about a variety of versatile, hands-on activities that scientists can use to engage different audiences in planetary science. All planetary scientists (including researchers, engineers, and graduate students) are invited to join to discuss effective strategies and share your experiences and favorite activities.
This recording is available online.
Slides are available for download.
Sharing Planetary Science: Engaging Culturally Diverse Audiences
Tuesday, May 17
3:00 p.m. CST (4 Eastern/ 3 Central/ 2 Mountain/ 1 Pacific)
The first step in serving diverse audiences is learning more about their needs and interests and establishing a partnership. Explore ways to initiate and sustain partnerships and to create culturally relevant connections in your programs.
This recording is available online.
Slides are available for download.
Sharing Planetary Science: De-Jargoning your Talks
Tuesday, February 15
3:00 p.m. CST (4 Eastern/ 3 Central/ 2 Mountain/ 1 Pacific)
There are many ways to say things. We often default to using jargon, but these words or phrases may be meaningless to your audience; worse, hearing a presentation with jargon may cause your audience to lose interest. Join us to hear from Dr. Olivia Ambrogio (AGU), Steven Smith (NASA), and Christine Shupla (LPI), who will discuss strategies that will help you to identify and avoid jargon.
This recording is available online.
Slides are available for download.
Sharing Planetary Science: Common Planetary Misconceptions
December 7, 2021
3:00 p.m. CST
Audiences may have mistaken ideas about the size, scale, and characteristics of objects in the solar system, and limited understanding of astronomical and geological time and concepts. Join Dr. Sanlyn Buxner (Planetary Science Institute), Dr. Molly Simon (Arizona State University) and Christine Shupla (LPI) to learn about how people learn and some of the common planetary misconceptions that may affect education and public engagement programs, and to discuss ways to modify your presentations and activities.
This recording is available online.
Slides are available.
Sharing Planetary Science: Engaging Children
October 19, 2021
3:00 p.m. CDT
Many scientists are less experienced in interacting with young audiences. Join Sha’Rell Webb (LPI Public Engagement Lead), Vivian White (Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s Director of Free Choice Learning) and Christine Shupla (LPI Education and Public Engagement Manager) to practice strategies for engaging children in planetary science.
This recording is available online.
Sharing Planetary Science: Addressing Controversial Scientific Topics
August 17, 2021
3:00 p.m. CDT (4 Eastern/ 3 Central/ 2 Mountain/ 1 Pacific)
LPI’s Sharing Planetary Science seminars are for planetary scientists (including early career scientists and planetary engineers) interested in engaging public audiences. Join us on August 17 to discuss ways to address controversial scientific topics during public engagement programs.
This recording is available online.
LPI webinar: Sharing Planetary Science: Social Media
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. CDT
A popular way to disseminate planetary science to a variety of audiences is through social media. Learn techniques and suggestions for disseminating your science from masters of social media, and discuss institutional policies. Speakers include Courtney O’Connor, NASA Social Media Specialist; Dr. Edgard Rivera-Valentín, LPI Staff Scientist; and Julie Tygielski, LPI Social Media & Communications.
This recording is available online.
Sharing Planetary Science: Writing for the Public
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
An excellent way to share planetary science and exploration with broad audiences is to write a blog or a compelling article for a newsletter or periodical. Learn tips for writing about planetary science for public audiences from Emily Lakdawalla, planetary scientist and science communicator, and Martin Ratcliffe, astronomy educator and science writer.
This recording is available online.
Writing for the Public (PDF)
Sharing Planetary Science: Engaging Audiences with Disabilities
Wednesday, November 4, 2:00 p.m. CST (3 p.m. EST, 1:00 p.m. MST, 12:00 p.m. PST)
Join us to hear about best practices for making planetary science more accessible for functionally and neurologically diverse audiences, and to discuss resources and ways to modify your programs to engage audience members with disabilities. Our presenters include Laura Jean Checki, a Solar System Ambassador and the CEO of Interstellar Inspirations, LLC, with more than 12 years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities and creating Universal Instructional Design educational products; Cassandra Runyon, a planetary scientist and Director of the NASA SC Space Grant Consortium, whose passion is helping to provide access to STEM for all audiences, including those with visible and invisible disabilities; and Michele Daly, the Director of Disability Education at Interstellar Inspirations, LLC and at the Meadowlands Environment Center.
This recording is available online.
Exploring Space through the Senses (PPT)
Working with People with Disabilities (PDF)
Working with Differently-Abled Audiences and Universal Instructional Design (PPT)
Space Science is for Everyone: Creating and Using Accessible Resources in Educational Settings (PDF)
Engaging Audiences Virtually
June 3, 2020, 1:00 pm Central Daylight Time
Presenting content virtually is challenging, and it is even more difficult to have authentic dialogue with audiences when the format is online. Join us to discuss strategies to initiate active participation from audiences and to incorporate feedback in a virtual program.
This recording is available online.
Presenting to Culturally Diverse Audiences
April 22, 2020, 3:30 to 5:00 pm Central Time
It can be challenging to communicate when your audience’s experiences are different from your own. Learn about ways to make culturally relevant connections with diverse audiences, such as partnering with community organizations, checking our own biases, and finding resources to learn more. Panelists include Dr. Christina Richey, Dr. Frances Rivera-Hernandez, and Dr. David Trang.
Resources (PDF)
The recording is available online.
Using Social Media
A popular way to share your science is using social media. Masters of social media, including Emily Lakdawalla, Edgard Rivera-Valentín, Alex Parker, and Julie Tygielski shared techniques and suggestions for disseminating your science.
Using Social Media (PDF)
The recording is available online.
Common Planetary Misconceptions
Audiences may have mistaken ideas about the size, scale, and characteristics of objects in the solar system, and limited understanding of astronomical and geological time and concepts. Learn common misconceptions and how to address them.
Common Planetary Misconceptions (PPT)
Understanding Audience Goals
Public engagement activities need to be guided by the audience’s own goals and needs and where they intersect the scientist’s goals. We will provide insight into the different goals that different audiences bring to public engagement events.
Understanding Audience Goals (PPT)
