Education and Public Outreach Workshop
The Astronomical Society of Australia’s Inaugural Education and Public Outreach Chapter Workshop is on 17 – 18 February 2016.
Location: David Caro Building, School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Cnr Tin Alley and Swanston St, Parkville, VIC (MU Campus Map)
Dates: Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 February 2016 (with optional tour on the morning of Friday 19 February).
Registrations are now CLOSED.
OVERVIEW
This 2-day workshop focuses on a range of topics in astronomy communication, education and public outreach.
We aim to bring together a diverse range of practitioners from professional astronomers, students, educators and the science communication communities. With hands-on sessions, lively presentations and panel sessions and ample time for discussion groups you’ll learn about techniques and tools for effective communication and outreach.
Hands-on workshop various invested groups will identify the current issues in communicating ideas about astronomy to a diverse audience then form working groups to map out future avenues.
WORKSHOP PROGRAM
2016 ASA EPOC Workshop Program
Themes include:
- Communicating Astronomy: working with Media, Government and the public
- Effective engagement with Schools
- Tools for outreach.
A variety of short talks, panel sessions and discussion groups will provide plenty of ideas and allow us to map out priorities for the future of astronomy EPO across Australia.
TOURS & CONFERENCE DINNER
A Planetarium Show at the Melbourne Planetarium, Spotswood is planned on the Wednesday evening prior to the workshop dinner. On the Friday morning we have an optional tour of the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) and stand on the surface of Mars! VSSEC is conveniently located halfway from the CBD to Tullamarine Airport.
The conference dinner will be held the evening of 17 February at the Spottiswoode Hotel following the visit to the Melbourne Planetarium. This dinner is optional and self-funded. The cost of the dinner is around $55.00.
REGISTRATION
Registrations are now CLOSED.
Registration for the workshop is free, however registration is essential for catering purposes.
ACCOMMODATION
Here are some hotels within walking distance to University of Melbourne in Carlton and Parkville.
- Tune Hotel
- Plum Serviced Apartments
- Rydges on Swanston
- Vibe Hotel Carlton
- Downtowner on Lygon
- Nomads Melbourne (hostel)
- Space Hotel (hostel)
Other suburbs we can recommend include North Melbourne, Brunswick and the CBD but may require public transport.
Travel
We recommend catching the Skybus from Tullamarine Airport into Melbourne CBD, who also supply free hotel transfers – check their website. From there all suggested accommodation, workshop venue, Melbourne Planetarium and VSSEC are accessible via public transport. You will require a MYKI card to access all public transport.
The University of Melbourne is a 20 minute walk from the CBD.
Car hire is also available from Tullamarine Airport.
Travel Assistance
Travel assistance may be available for participants to attend the conference contingent on the amount of sponsorship we obtain. Grants will be available with a value up to $500 depending on circumstances. To be considered for travel support please complete the Travel Grant Application prior to 25 January 2016, and we will notify you of the outcome on 30 January 2016.
We also hope to be able to provide childcare. If interested please indicate during the registration process.
All venues have wheelchair access, with lifts and ramp access to 2nd floor areas.
Organising Committee
- Jacinta den Besten, University of Melbourne (co-chair)
- Rob Hollow, CSIRO (co-chair)
- Shaila Akhter, UNSW (Student rep)
- Julie Banfield, ANU
- Tanya Hill, Museum Victoria, Melbourne Planetarium
- Glen Mackie, Swinburne
- Michael Pakakis, Victorian Space Science Education Centre
- Brad Tucker, ANU
- Christian Reichardt, University of Melbourne
Code of Conduct
As an ASA workshop, all participants are expected to adhere to the ASA Code of Conduct.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
| Robert Hollow | CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science |
| Christopher Fluke | Swinburne University of Technology |
| Darren Croton | Swinburne University |
| Karen Bradford | University of Tasmania, School of Physical Sciences |
| Donna Burton | University of Southern QLD |
| Christian Reichardt | U.Melbourne |
| SAEED SALIMPOUR | University of Melbourne/Ballarat Observatory |
| Alex Codoreanu | Swinburne CAS |
| Michael Brown | Monash University |
| Mark McAuley | Astronomy Australia Ltd |
| Duncan Forbes | Swinburne |
| Jonathan Marshall | UNSW Australia |
| Jacinta den Besten | University of Melbourne |
| Mike Thompson | Backyard AstroScience |
| Michael Fitzgerald | Edith Cowan Institute for Education Research |
| Stephanie Bernard | University of Melbourne |
| Sarah Reeves | University of Sydney |
| Tui Britton | Macquarie University |
| Tash McFadden | Macquarie University |
| Kirsten Gottschalk | ICRAR |
| James Murray | Mount Burnett Observatory |
| Marnie Ogg | Sydney Observatory |
| Vanessa Moss | CAASTRO/University of Sydney |
| PAM BAIN | individual |
| Carolyn Lewens | Monash university |
| Kate Maiden | Scientists and Mathematicians in Schools |
| Alina Donea | Monash University |
| Christene Lynch | University of Sydney/CAASTRO |
| Lisa Harvey-Smith | CSIRO |
| C. Renee James | Sam Houston State University |
| Brittany Trubody | TastroFest |
| Chris Rudge | Astronomical Society of Victoria |
| Fred Watson | AAO |
| Tanya Hill | Museum Victoria |
| Tiffany Day | Macquarie University and Sydney Observatory |
| Korinne McDonnell | CSIRO – Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex |
| Jasmina Lazendic-Galloway | Monash University |
| Silvia Choi | CAASTRO & Sydney Observatory |
| Marissa Nerwich | Sydney Observatory |
| Helen Sim | CAASTRO |
| Sue McArthur | Mt Burnett Observatory |
| Flo Yuen | CSIRO |
| Heike Reich | Mount Burnett Observatory |
| Katie Mack | University of Melbourne |
| Peter Lake | iTelescope.net |
| Jerry Skinner | Australian SKA Office |
Queries
For more details or registration queries please contact Jacinta den Besten or Rob Hollow
Sponsors – Thank you to all of our sponsors and contributors.
