Event FAQs

Who will attend?

The twelve members of the COPUS Core are each inviting three people whom they feel can contribute to and benefit from participation in the un-conference. They are individuals who share the passion of science and who offer unique perspectives and/or experiences because they: exhibit skills at communicating science to a novel audience or in an innovative way; because they have demonstrated interest in partnering with others to strengthen the scientific community regionally, locally, or nationally; or because they represent/serve a community with whom collaboration would strengthen connections between science and the public.

A majority of the attendees at this event will be invited by the COPUS Core, however, a handful of "seats" are open to the public and will be filled through an application and selection process. If you would like to attend this event, please apply here.

COPUS in DC

What is expected of a participant?

Participants are expected to consider and suggest contributions they would like to make to the content of the conference prior to attending. Once at the Biosphere, participants will be expected to demonstrate energy, good humor, flexibility, and a willingness to share and listen.



COPUS in DC What will this meeting achieve?

This meeting will:

1 - Strengthen and expand the COPUS network by creating new connections among attendees during and after the meeting.
2 - Create an architecture of engagement for future science convenings that cross domains of science outreach (informal, formal, academic, and corporate) that do not normally interact, but need to.
3 - Provide direction for future activities of the COPUS community by evaluating what is currently being done, identifying new needs, and building upon ongoing successes.
4 - Provide a new forum and recognition for those conducting public outreach.

What is an un-conference?

An un-conference follows a participant and engagement driven meeting format. Rather than having a top down organization, the event is built on a flexible framework and designed from the bottom up. This gives everyone a personal role in the event and invests attendees in a way that enhances and focuses their contributions to the meeting as a whole. Approximately two-thirds of the conference schedule (including the conference themes, session types, and topics to be covered) will be developed through conversations with the participants prior to the event. The remaining one third of the time will be left open within the program to be filled by the spontaneous interests, topics, and ideas that emerge.

Potential content themes:

Within the broader scope of public understanding of science, the conference may address a variety of topics or themes. Though these will be generated by the attendees, topics may include:

  • strategies for reaching new/underserved audiences;
  • developing novel partnerships to promote science engagement;
  • models for culturally integrated science;
  • connecting art, science, and design;
  • engaging business in science conversations;
  • assessing the effectiveness of selected strategies and activities
Session formats

The un-conference will include a variety of both synchronous and asynchronous formats and provide for unique interactive spaces to promote dialogue. Here are some examples of session types that have been used successfully at other un-conferences.

Synchronous formats:

➢ Lightning Talk - Lightning usually doesn't strike the same place twice, but it certainly will in this session! In a single 30 minute period, a series of speakers will each give a five minute MAXIMUM talk centered around a given theme/topic. Then a super savvy moderator will break the session participants and speakers into small groups to focus on key points that need further discussion.

Fishbowl

➢ The Fishbowl - Participants won't win any free fish to bring home from this session! What they will win is the chance to participate in a dynamic, active discussion. Surrounded by a circle of observer-participants, a central core of experts discuss salient issues that we face as a community. The observers have the opportunity to step into the core conversation by temporarily moving to open "hot spots" to add to the conversation.

➢ Plenary Talks and Panels - No way!! Yes, we will have some central events where all participants come together - but it will look much more like performance art than plenary talk. There will be demonstrations on broad topics that will help the group think creatively and explore how science connects to our communities.

➢ Show and Tell - Flash back to those great elementary school days when everyone brought their favorite toy or book to share with the class. Since we are bringing together ~60 of the most amazing people in science outreach, we would be crazy not to do something similar. Participants will be able to share their specialties to inspire others with what they are doing and how they are doing it! But lightning fast, of course!

➢ Unstuck sessions - As individuals and as a community there are places where we just get stuck and can't seem to find a way to move forward on projects. This session type focuses on problem solving and creative thinking. The walls will be covered with white paper for posting problems so that participants can respond, dream big, brainstorm alternatives, and make connections. Problem solving doesn't always happen on schedule, so this session will blend synchronous and asynchronous activities.

Asynchronous formats: COPUS

➢ No-time-like-the-present sessions - You just heard an idea that rocked your mind, and the person who can help you figure out how to pursue it is sitting next to you - here is your chance - take it. Space will be provided throughout the session for ad hoc gatherings where serendipitous meetings can develop into meaningful conversations.

➢ Non-session interactive spaces - Don't want to present, but have something to say? No problem - there will be lots of spaces, such as hallways, walls, or corners for participants to show off demonstrations, essays, or anything else others from which others could benefit.

➢ A virtual presence - We embrace social media as a means to extend participation in the event. Participants will have space at the conference and online to share things that are not on the schedule, or not easily shared with words. Anyone, at anytime can use the markers provided to write on the walls, send a message, sketch out ideas, ask for help, or share their love of COPUS. Throughout the unconference, participants will be able to contribute tweets and blogs to virtual walls as well -- a microsite will be developed where all conference posts will be fed live to reflect the collective consciousness of the group.