Planetary Resources and Content Heroes (ReaCH)

Planetary Resources and Content Heroes (ReaCH)

Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement

Applied Physics Lab (APL), Laurel, MD
Thursday, November 3
Friday, November 4
Saturday, November 5, public engagement event

Planetary scientists (including graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, engineers and technicians) and informal educators are invited to apply to attend a professional development workshop, Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement, November 3-5, 2022. During the workshop, scientists and educators are paired together and supported in bi-directional conversations around diversity and inclusion. Participants will discuss ways to engage Latinx and Black youth in their community in planetary science and exploration. Workshop participants come away with actionable strategies and hands-on activity ideas for engagement and the beginnings of relationships/collaborations with other participants. Following the workshop, a public engagement event will be held at a local institution allowing workshop participants the opportunity to utilize engagement strategies discussed in the workshop.

  Questions?

FAQ

Times and locations:

The Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement workshop will take place at the Applied Physics Laboratory, Building 201, 11101 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723.

November 3rd: 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
November 4th: 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

The location for the public event following the workshop will be announced soon. Date and rough schedule are below.

November 5th

  • Set-up: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  • Event: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Clean-up: 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Lunch with debrief/focus group: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Attire:
  • Please dress comfortably (jeans and t-shirts welcome).
  • Please bring a jacket or light sweater in case the meeting room is chilly.
  • Laurel, MD climate is moderately cold during Fall when temperatures tend to be in the 50’s; in November the average maximum temperature is 57 degrees F and minimum temperatures are 38 degrees F.
To bring:

Cameras and cell phones are welcome to take pictures inside the classroom! No pictures will be allowed on tours. No laptops or tablets are needed for any of the discussions or activities.

Parking and Carpooling:
  • APL has plenty of on-site parking. Spots closer to Building 201 will fill up in the morning, but there is plenty of parking nearby. There is also handicap parking.
  • If you would like to carpool, please consider reaching out to other attendees by email, phone, or using the Slack channel.
Airports:
Hotels:
  • The closest hotel, within walking distance, is Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbia/Laurel. It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk to Building 201 from this hotel.
  • There are a variety of hotels in the Columbia/Laurel area. Most have restaurants within walking distance.
  • If you would like to share a room, please consider reaching out to other attendees by email, phone, or using the Slack channel.
  • Please make your travel arrangements fully refundable (or ensure you will be able to use the credits yourself).
COVID Precautions:
  • If traveling, please consider taking a precautionary COVID test 24 hours before traveling to Laurel to avoid needing to quarantine after you arrive.
  • If you are not feeling well or have any COVID symptoms, please take a COVID test before coming to the workshop.
  • If you are COVID positive, please cancel your plans to attend this workshop; we will put you at the top of the list to attend future workshops.
  • While there is not a current COVID-19 vaccine or mask mandate for Maryland, we ask that you consider wearing masks during the workshop except when eating.
  • Hand sanitizer, masks, and COVID rapid tests will be available at the workshop.

  Back to Planetary ReaCH main page