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The Science Communication Fellows program is for faculty, post-docs, PhD, and graduate students who are interested in sharing their research with the general public.
The U-M Museum of Natural History uses the NSF-supported Portal to the Public guiding framework to bring scientists and public audiences together in personal interactions that promote appreciation and understanding of current scientific research.
Due to COVID-19 limitations, this program is changing for the 2020-21 school year. Details are listed below.
Fellows accepted into the program will participate in a series of 5 free professional development webinars hosted by museum staff that are focused on building the skills to effectively engage public audiences. During this process and with guidance from museum staff, Fellows will develop meaningful, inquiry-based and materials-rich activities and/or presentations that showcase their research. They will then choose one of several community outreach opportunities to present their research activities to the public.
September 28, 2020, 4-6 PM – How people learn
October 5, 2020, 4-6 PM – Facilitation strategies
October 12, 2020, 4-6 PM – RELATE boot camp: Presentation skills
October 19, 2020, 4-6 PM – Brainstorming session OR
October 26, 2020, 4-6 PM – Brainstorming session (choose one)
November 2, 2020, 4-6 PM - Prototyping your activity/presentation OR
November 9, 2020, 4-6 PM – Prototyping your activity/presentation (choose one)
Science Communication Fellows are asked to share the activities they develop with K-12 students and/or the public through at least one of the following mechanisms:
- Virtual live Meet a Scientist event(s) for middle and/or high school students or the general public. Dates TBD.
- Expert Expo - recorded video segments for the museum’s Museum@Home Expert Expo web portal.
- Live at the museum (pending museum re-opening and easing of COVID restrictions)
- Scientist Spotlight – table top activity on the museum floor during regular operating hours (with social distancing measures in place)
- As a Scientist in the Forum presentation in the museum’s Science Forum during weekend operating hours (with social distancing measures in place)
- Scientist Spotlight – table top activity on the museum floor during regular operating hours (with social distancing measures in place)
Museum Science Communication Fellow certificate for reference in a C.V., commending commitment to science communication and public engagement.
Opportunities to network with other scientists and researchers committed to public engagement as well as with education professionals.
Complimentary Museum membership. As a Museum member, you’re entitled to: Free admission to more than 300 museums and science centers around the world, free Planetarium passes, a 20% discount in the Museum Store, invitations to members-only events and exhibition openings, and more!
Prospective fellows can apply online here. Please complete the application by September 14, 2020.
For more information contact Alicia Comer, lisha@umich.edu . Please note that there are a limited number of spaces and we will not be able to accept all applicants.
Biological Sciences Building, 1105 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1085
ummnh.info@umich.edu | 734-764-0478
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