Save the Date: CASC 2011 Conference June 9-11

 

Be sure to mark the dates of the CASC 2011 Conference in your calendar and plan to join us. The 9th Annual Conference will be hosted by Science North in Sudbury with anticipated attendance of more than 100 delegates. This 3-day conference will include a pre-conference activity, a variety of conference sessions, a keynote speaker, and events including a welcome reception, a tradeshow (Fri., June 10) and an evening awards gala and dinner (Sat., June 11). All events are geared towards facilitating practical innovations in the development, delivery, and support of science engagement activities. Individuals from all areas of informal learning are welcome to participate. We look forward to welcoming you to the Conference in June! www.canadiansciencecentres.ca

The conference theme is Change!

 

Change is a constant in the science centre field. Science and technology are constantly changing, our audience demographic is changing, and our workforce is changing. Conference sessions will address the subthemes below:

Changing Science: Science centres share a common mission to engage visitors with current science and be resources for current topics in science. How do we involve and engage our visitors with current science? How do we keep our science exhibits and programs responsive to current science? Tell us about the mechanisms you have in place for changing exhibits and programs in your centre. How is technology helping you to keep science current in your centre? 

Changing Audiences: The traditional science centre audience is changing.  As the population ages and family sizes decrease, science centres can no longer be solely reliant on the family audience for attendance.  Older adults and teens are becoming important and new audiences for our organizations.  How are you reaching out to new audiences?  Have you developed new content specifically to attract a new demographic?

Changing Organizational Development: Science centres are building staff teams that can develop, deliver, promote and fund the communication of current and responsive science. What are the trends in organizational development in our industry?  How are we recruiting, training, inspiring, and retaining our work force to achieve these new and changing goals?  

 

Change Management: From dealing with internal changes like departmental re-organization, new office layouts or staff turnover, to coping with changes in the greater social context, such as shifting visitor expectations, the process of change is challenging and potentially fraught with pitfalls. What are best practices in change management? How can we learn from others' mistakes and successes? Which models of communication can help ease the process?

 

Don't miss it! Preliminary program and Registration available soon!