An upcoming online “teach-out” offers a free, flexible opportunity to build public engagement skills and connect with others with similar interests. Stand Up for Science: Practical Approaches for Discussing Science that Matters will be held May 5 – 7, although participants can join for as much or as little of it as they like. This event is being hosted by the University of Michigan’s Office of Academic Innovation and RELATE (a science communication and engagement training program originally developed by graduate students).
There are four main components of the teach-out, and participants can “choose their own adventure” and join for any or all of these. The discussion forums will be active through May 7, and the rest of the content will continue to be available through May 12:
- Overview on why science communication and public engagement are important and how engagement changes for different audiences
- Series of discussions about engagement and some of the controversies and concerns that come with it (from sharing what kinds of science communication experiences participants have had, to why bidirectional interactions are important)
- A skill development component that borrows from the lengthier RELATE training to address audience, messages and narratives
- Opportunities to explore local and national public engagement opportunities and help participants define next steps to becoming better communicators
More information about the teach-out: sign up here, and see AAAS News for more information.