SCIENCE TEACH-IN TOOLKIT

Frequently Asked Questions to Guide Your Science Teach-In Planning When is the March for Science? The March for Science will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2017 (Earth Day). What is a science teach-in? A science teach-in is an informal lecture, discussion, or series on any one of a variety of scientific issues that relate to the public interest, decisionmaking, and policymaking. Science teach-ins share knowledge and raise awareness about science and its value to society. Why should I host a science teach-in? A science teach-in will provide a forum for members of your campus and/or community to engage in a conversation about science outside of traditional classroom structures and boundaries. It will be an opportunity to connect with larger numbers of people on a topic that they may not typically encounter or discuss. Should our science teach-in coincide with the March for Science? While many organizations are planning to host science teach-ins to coincide with the March, others are planning science teach-ins before or following the event. The timing of each science teach-in is up to you. When considering the timing of your science teach-in, consider your event goals and purpose to determine whether before, during, or after the March for Science is most appropriate. Where should our science teach-in be held? When selecting your venue, a main consideration will be your audience -- where will they feel most comfortable and where is most accessible to them? Campus, city hall, a public library, a local business, or an outdoor public space are all options. You will also want to consider weather, accessibility, space capacity, and acoustics when making your decision. Should we invite partners to join us in organizing or hosting our teach-in? Partners can include other universities, nonprofit organizations, science museums or centers, and faith-based organizations. Remember that your partners will play a major role in determining event decisions such as location, timing, and who should attend. A template outreach letter to potential collaborators is included in the toolkit.

Who should attend my science teach-in? Your target audience will be determined by the goals you and your partner organizations have established for the teach-in. You may decide to have the event open only to the campus community, those in the K-12 school system, or the public at large. Remember that accurately anticipating the number of attendees will help properly plan your venue layout, seating, food/beverages provided, and handouts/takeaways needed during the event. What steps should I follow for safety and security when planning our event? As you plan your event, be sure to work with your campus security to ensure that the event is successful and peaceful. For off campus events be sure to work with local authorities to make them aware of your event and anticipated group size. Note that you may need to submit a permit for use of a public space. Are there any costs to use the NCSE teach-in toolkit? No. The Science Teach-Ins are an educational movement, and the toolkit resources are free to all. Donations are welcome to NCSE to support our mission to improve the scientific basis for environmental decisionmaking and can be made through NCSE’s website www.ncseglobal.org.