Re: [Utah-astronomy] Joanne's talk
Chuck wrote:
Historically, the majority of SLAS meetings featured presentations by members. . . . I would encourage any member with something to offer, to contact the club president and offer to give a presentation.
To an extent, these have been replaced by the 15 minute presentations made at the start of star parties which more informal. The justification for fostering such presentations, regardless of their forum, is to develop the memberships' speaking and presentation skills. One of the missions of SLAS is public education. There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not in a working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking. This in turn improves SLASs star parties by improving the ability of members to explain types of objects to the public in a coherent manner. The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations. - Kurt _______________________________________________ Sent via CSolutions - http://www.csolutions.net
Interesting program, download the latest google earth, and the sky is available as a switchable view. http://earth.google.com/ Just made available this afternoon. Jo
Boy do I support Chucks comments!!!!!!!!! Let me know! Bob Bob Moore Commerce CRG - Salt Lake City office 175 East 400 South, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Direct: 801-303-5418 Main: 801-322-2000 Fax: 801-322-2040 BMoore@commercecrg.com www.commercecrg.com -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+bmoore=commercecrg.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+bmoore=commercecrg.com@mailman.xmission.c om] On Behalf Of Kurt Fisher Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 10:38 AM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Joanne's talk Chuck wrote:
Historically, the majority of SLAS meetings featured presentations by members. . . . I would encourage any member with something to offer, to contact the club president and offer to give a presentation.
To an extent, these have been replaced by the 15 minute presentations made at the start of star parties which more informal. The justification for fostering such presentations, regardless of their forum, is to develop the memberships' speaking and presentation skills. One of the missions of SLAS is public education. There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not in a working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking. This in turn improves SLASs star parties by improving the ability of members to explain types of objects to the public in a coherent manner. The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations. - Kurt _______________________________________________ Sent via CSolutions - http://www.csolutions.net _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Hi Guys,
The speakers we have is mostly a function of who is the president. With Lowell's conections we have been very heavy on the professionals. Bob has utilized these connections as well. As I remember being president in the 90's you took who you could get and had to be prepared to do presentation yourself. I had 2 cancelations 2hrs prior to the meeting during my "reign". I think I can safely speak and say volunteers are always welcome, just contact the president if you would like to speak. I am sure we will have some meetings dedicated to teaching members some topics. Any suggestions? The Show and Tell we used to have was a favorite of mine, as well as the annual Riverside Report we had. In the works is a History of SLAS presentation, contact Ann Blanchard if you have info relating to our clubs history. We may need a volunteer to present this. I am sure, say somebody like, Kurt would do an excellent presentation on a variety of topics. We did certainly have a good turn out at last nights meeting. I think that Universities' construction hassles all but being over had something to do with that, but traditionally we have had good turnouts when club members do a presentation. Especially well known club members. Erik Chuck wrote:
Historically, the majority of SLAS meetings featured presentations by members. . . . I would encourage any member with something to offer, to contact the club president and offer to give a presentation.
To an extent, these have been replaced by the 15 minute presentations made at the start of star parties which more informal.
The justification for fostering such presentations, regardless of their forum, is to develop the memberships' speaking and presentation skills.
One of the missions of SLAS is public education. There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not in a working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking.
This in turn improves SLASs star parties by improving the ability of members to explain types of objects to the public in a coherent manner.
The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations.
- Kurt
_______________________________________________ Sent via CSolutions - http://www.csolutions.net
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Guys If you know anyone that would be a good speaker for SLAS or if you have a subject you are well versed enough on and there is enough material to be an interesting talk for SLAS Let me know! Bob Bob Moore Commerce CRG - Salt Lake City office 175 East 400 South, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Direct: 801-303-5418 Main: 801-322-2000 Fax: 801-322-2040 BMoore@commercecrg.com www.commercecrg.com -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+bmoore=commercecrg.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+bmoore=commercecrg.com@mailman.xmission.c om] On Behalf Of erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 11:17 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Joanne's talk
Hi Guys,
The speakers we have is mostly a function of who is the president. With Lowell's conections we have been very heavy on the professionals. Bob has utilized these connections as well. As I remember being president in the 90's you took who you could get and had to be prepared to do presentation yourself. I had 2 cancelations 2hrs prior to the meeting during my "reign". I think I can safely speak and say volunteers are always welcome, just contact the president if you would like to speak. I am sure we will have some meetings dedicated to teaching members some topics. Any suggestions? The Show and Tell we used to have was a favorite of mine, as well as the annual Riverside Report we had. In the works is a History of SLAS presentation, contact Ann Blanchard if you have info relating to our clubs history. We may need a volunteer to present this. I am sure, say somebody like, Kurt would do an excellent presentation on a variety of topics. We did certainly have a good turn out at last nights meeting. I think that Universities' construction hassles all but being over had something to do with that, but traditionally we have had good turnouts when club members do a presentation. Especially well known club members. Erik Chuck wrote:
Historically, the majority of SLAS meetings featured presentations by members. . . . I would encourage any member with something to offer, to contact the club president and offer to give a presentation.
To an extent, these have been replaced by the 15 minute presentations made at the start of star parties which more informal.
The justification for fostering such presentations, regardless of their forum, is to develop the memberships' speaking and presentation skills.
One of the missions of SLAS is public education. There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not in a working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking.
This in turn improves SLASs star parties by improving the ability of members to explain types of objects to the public in a coherent manner.
The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations.
- Kurt
_______________________________________________ Sent via CSolutions - http://www.csolutions.net
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I was excited about the little $5 competition we used to have on astrophotos. Though I never entered, I planned to, and I was disappointed when that ended. -- Joe On Aug 22, 2007, at 11:17 AM, erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net wrote:
Hi Guys,
The speakers we have is mostly a function of who is the president. With Lowell's conections we have been very heavy on the professionals. Bob has utilized these connections as well. As I remember being president in the 90's you took who you could get and had to be prepared to do presentation yourself. I had 2 cancelations 2hrs prior to the meeting during my "reign". I think I can safely speak and say volunteers are always welcome, just contact the president if you would like to speak. I am sure we will have some meetings dedicated to teaching members some topics. Any suggestions? The Show and Tell we used to have was a favorite of mine, as well as the annual Riverside Report we had. In the works is a History of SLAS presentation, contact Ann Blanchard if you have info relating to our clubs history. We may need a volunteer to present this.
I am sure, say somebody like, Kurt would do an excellent presentation on a variety of topics. We did certainly have a good turn out at last nights meeting. I think that Universities' construction hassles all but being over had something to do with that, but traditionally we have had good turnouts when club members do a presentation. Especially well known club members.
Erik
Chuck wrote:
Historically, the majority of SLAS meetings featured presentations by members. . . . I would encourage any member with something to offer, to contact the club president and offer to give a presentation.
To an extent, these have been replaced by the 15 minute presentations made at the start of star parties which more informal.
The justification for fostering such presentations, regardless of their forum, is to develop the memberships' speaking and presentation skills.
One of the missions of SLAS is public education. There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not in a working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking.
This in turn improves SLASs star parties by improving the ability of members to explain types of objects to the public in a coherent manner.
The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations.
- Kurt
_______________________________________________ Sent via CSolutions - http://www.csolutions.net
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Hi Joe, We ended that because we usually had only one photo to judge. I will bring that up to the board and see if we want to try that again. Seems like we might have more interest now.
Erik I was excited about the little $5 competition we used to have on
astrophotos. Though I never entered, I planned to, and I was disappointed when that ended. -- Joe
On Aug 22, 2007, at 11:17 AM, erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net wrote:
Hi Guys,
The speakers we have is mostly a function of who is the president. With Lowell's conections we have been very heavy on the professionals. Bob has utilized these connections as well. As I remember being president in the 90's you took who you could get and had to be prepared to do presentation yourself. I had 2 cancelations 2hrs prior to the meeting during my "reign". I think I can safely speak and say volunteers are always welcome, just contact the president if you would like to speak. I am sure we will have some meetings dedicated to teaching members some topics. Any suggestions? The Show and Tell we used to have was a favorite of mine, as well as the annual Riverside Report we had. In the works is a History of SLAS presentation, contact Ann Blanchard if you have info relating to our clubs history. We may need a volunteer to present this.
I am sure, say somebody like, Kurt would do an excellent presentation on a variety of topics. We did certainly have a good turn out at last nights meeting. I think that Universities' construction hassles all but being over had something to do with that, but traditionally we have had good turnouts when club members do a presentation. Especially well known club members.
Erik
Chuck wrote:
Historically, the majority of SLAS meetings featured presentations by members. . . . I would encourage any member with something to offer, to contact the club president and offer to give a presentation.
To an extent, these have been replaced by the 15 minute presentations made at the start of star parties which more informal.
The justification for fostering such presentations, regardless of their forum, is to develop the memberships' speaking and presentation skills.
One of the missions of SLAS is public education. There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not in a working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking.
This in turn improves SLASs star parties by improving the ability of members to explain types of objects to the public in a coherent manner.
The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations.
- Kurt
_______________________________________________ Sent via CSolutions - http://www.csolutions.net
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
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I'd appreciate that. Maybe there could be a rule that only after at least five individuals have entered, would that contest be judged. Then we could go on to another photographic subject and wait for five entries. Thanks, Joe On Aug 22, 2007, at 12:51 PM, erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net wrote:
Hi Joe, We ended that because we usually had only one photo to judge. I will bring that up to the board and see if we want to try that again. Seems like we might have more interest now.
Erik
I was excited about the little $5 competition we used to have on
astrophotos. Though I never entered, I planned to, and I was disappointed when that ended. -- Joe
On Aug 22, 2007, at 11:17 AM, erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net wrote:
Hi Guys,
The speakers we have is mostly a function of who is the president. With Lowell's conections we have been very heavy on the professionals. Bob has utilized these connections as well. As I remember being president in the 90's you took who you could get and had to be prepared to do presentation yourself. I had 2 cancelations 2hrs prior to the meeting during my "reign". I think I can safely speak and say volunteers are always welcome, just contact the president if you would like to speak. I am sure we will have some meetings dedicated to teaching members some topics. Any suggestions? The Show and Tell we used to have was a favorite of mine, as well as the annual Riverside Report we had. In the works is a History of SLAS presentation, contact Ann Blanchard if you have info relating to our clubs history. We may need a volunteer to present this.
I am sure, say somebody like, Kurt would do an excellent presentation on a variety of topics. We did certainly have a good turn out at last nights meeting. I think that Universities' construction hassles all but being over had something to do with that, but traditionally we have had good turnouts when club members do a presentation. Especially well known club members.
Erik
Chuck wrote:
Historically, the majority of SLAS meetings featured presentations by members. . . . I would encourage any member with something to offer, to contact the club president and offer to give a presentation.
To an extent, these have been replaced by the 15 minute presentations made at the start of star parties which more informal.
The justification for fostering such presentations, regardless of their forum, is to develop the memberships' speaking and presentation skills.
One of the missions of SLAS is public education. There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not in a working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking.
This in turn improves SLASs star parties by improving the ability of members to explain types of objects to the public in a coherent manner.
The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations.
- Kurt
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Good Idea!
I'd appreciate that. Maybe there could be a rule that only after at
least five individuals have entered, would that contest be judged. Then we could go on to another photographic subject and wait for five entries. Thanks, Joe On Aug 22, 2007, at 12:51 PM, erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net wrote:
Hi Joe, We ended that because we usually had only one photo to judge. I will bring that up to the board and see if we want to try that again. Seems like we might have more interest now.
Erik
I was excited about the little $5 competition we used to have on
astrophotos. Though I never entered, I planned to, and I was disappointed when that ended. -- Joe
On Aug 22, 2007, at 11:17 AM, erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net wrote:
Hi Guys,
The speakers we have is mostly a function of who is the president. With Lowell's conections we have been very heavy on the professionals. Bob has utilized these connections as well. As I remember being president in the 90's you took who you could get and had to be prepared to do presentation yourself. I had 2 cancelations 2hrs prior to the meeting during my "reign". I think I can safely speak and say volunteers are always welcome, just contact the president if you would like to speak. I am sure we will have some meetings dedicated to teaching members some topics. Any suggestions? The Show and Tell we used to have was a favorite of mine, as well as the annual Riverside Report we had. In the works is a History of SLAS presentation, contact Ann Blanchard if you have info relating to our clubs history. We may need a volunteer to present this.
I am sure, say somebody like, Kurt would do an excellent presentation on a variety of topics. We did certainly have a good turn out at last nights meeting. I think that Universities' construction hassles all but being over had something to do with that, but traditionally we have had good turnouts when club members do a presentation. Especially well known club members.
Erik
Chuck wrote:
Historically, the majority of SLAS meetings featured presentations by members. . . . I would encourage any member with something to offer, to contact the club president and offer to give a presentation.
To an extent, these have been replaced by the 15 minute presentations made at the start of star parties which more informal.
The justification for fostering such presentations, regardless of their forum, is to develop the memberships' speaking and presentation skills.
One of the missions of SLAS is public education. There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not in a working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking.
This in turn improves SLASs star parties by improving the ability of members to explain types of objects to the public in a coherent manner.
The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations.
- Kurt
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I tend to disagree with both of these assessments. Perhaps I am more selfish about my hobbies, but to me the primary purpose of SLAS is to foster interaction and enjoyment of the hobby with like-minded individuals. I don't share the mindset that if the club isn't an effective public outreach tool it is a failure. It's primary purpose is to serve it's members, not the public at large. Mass education is a lofty goal but SLAS doesn't fail as an astronomy club if there is a "child left behind". Current politics and interaction with the UofU are pulling the club into the direction of outreach more formally, but it need not be the primary reason for the club's existence. If a particular speaker fails, you can bet that they will propbably not get another opportunity. Any ideas for presentations must be approved and scheduled in advance, so it's not as if there is a big question as to whether it will be a turkey. Most of those capable of giving a good presentation are known to the club movers and shakers. Likewise, those who can't do it are known, too. In practice the chance of real groaner getting scheduled is very, very small. In my own case, my two most recent presentations were done using only 1/2 page of notes and largely off-the-cuff. There was nothing for a review board to look at in advance. Yet as I recall, both were well-attended and well-received, with much enthusiastic applause afterwards and many personal thanks from members and non-members alike. The binocular astronomy talk was a lot of fun because I asked members to bring their personal observing set-ups and many responded. I also brought in a guest speaker, a local authority on using binoculars for both astronomy and birding. Rich pulled together a list of resources and was a terrific help as well. My prior talk on my ATM techniques was likewise well-recieved and I managed to get my editor at S&T to send a huge box of magazine issues for distribution. Again, it sure seemed to me like those in attendance enjoyed themselves, and there was a very large crowd, much larger than recent attendance. Member presentations aren't the crapshoot you think they are, Kurt. I remember many exellent ones. I remember no really bad ones. On 8/22/07, Kurt Fisher <fisherka@csolutions.net> wrote:
There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not in a working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking.
The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations.
I agree with Chuck, most astronomy clubs serve thier members almost exculsively. A lot of Astronomy Clubs do almost all thier public outreach during Astronomy Day or some other yearly activity. SLAS has done a great job on bringing Astronomy to the Public. The only group that might do more are the San Fransico SideWalk Astronomers. We could do less and serve the public well. Over the years our most important source of funding and support has been our membership. We have a very supportive group, save some disagreements. I would also say some of our better speakers did not use powerpoint but rather old-fashioned slides. PowerPoint is not universal at this point, although it is extremely conveinant. Erik I tend to disagree with both of these assessments. Perhaps I am more
selfish about my hobbies, but to me the primary purpose of SLAS is to foster interaction and enjoyment of the hobby with like-minded individuals. I don't share the mindset that if the club isn't an effective public outreach tool it is a failure. It's primary purpose is to serve it's members, not the public at large. Mass education is a lofty goal but SLAS doesn't fail as an astronomy club if there is a "child left behind". Current politics and interaction with the UofU are pulling the club into the direction of outreach more formally, but it need not be the primary reason for the club's existence.
If a particular speaker fails, you can bet that they will propbably not get another opportunity. Any ideas for presentations must be approved and scheduled in advance, so it's not as if there is a big question as to whether it will be a turkey. Most of those capable of giving a good presentation are known to the club movers and shakers. Likewise, those who can't do it are known, too. In practice the chance of real groaner getting scheduled is very, very small.
In my own case, my two most recent presentations were done using only 1/2 page of notes and largely off-the-cuff. There was nothing for a review board to look at in advance. Yet as I recall, both were well-attended and well-received, with much enthusiastic applause afterwards and many personal thanks from members and non-members alike. The binocular astronomy talk was a lot of fun because I asked members to bring their personal observing set-ups and many responded. I also brought in a guest speaker, a local authority on using binoculars for both astronomy and birding. Rich pulled together a list of resources and was a terrific help as well. My prior talk on my ATM techniques was likewise well-recieved and I managed to get my editor at S&T to send a huge box of magazine issues for distribution. Again, it sure seemed to me like those in attendance enjoyed themselves, and there was a very large crowd, much larger than recent attendance.
Member presentations aren't the crapshoot you think they are, Kurt. I remember many exellent ones. I remember no really bad ones.
On 8/22/07, Kurt Fisher <fisherka@csolutions.net> wrote:
There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not in a working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking.
The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations.
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I would appreciate a range of speakers and particularly would love a session or two from members about the area they enjoy doing the most. By that I mean a how to on their astrophotography, or you mentioned bionocular astronomy. I believe topics like these would be of interest to a lot of members. Some of us just don't have the background to follow some of the technical lectures on, say, gamma ray bursts. It's not that I'm not willing to try, I just would rather not have a steady diet of lectures of that type. My degree was in Psychology, alas, rather light on the science area. Last night I talked to a woman who's background is law (she just joined the club in April) and a man who is here on a consulting job for a few months (his home was destroyed in the Katrina disaster) and is joining the club for the time he is here to meet people who share an interest in astronomy and have some fun star gazing together. I'm just making a pitch for a variety of lectures. Certainly enough time has gone by, Chuck, that you might consider doing a reprise of one the talks you did in the past. -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+a.blanchard=ugs.utah.edu@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+a.blanchard=ugs.utah.edu@mailman.xmission .com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 12:29 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Joanne's talk I tend to disagree with both of these assessments. Perhaps I am more selfish about my hobbies, but to me the primary purpose of SLAS is to foster interaction and enjoyment of the hobby with like-minded individuals. I don't share the mindset that if the club isn't an effective public outreach tool it is a failure. It's primary purpose is to serve it's members, not the public at large. Mass education is a lofty goal but SLAS doesn't fail as an astronomy club if there is a "child left behind". Current politics and interaction with the UofU are pulling the club into the direction of outreach more formally, but it need not be the primary reason for the club's existence. If a particular speaker fails, you can bet that they will propbably not get another opportunity. Any ideas for presentations must be approved and scheduled in advance, so it's not as if there is a big question as to whether it will be a turkey. Most of those capable of giving a good presentation are known to the club movers and shakers. Likewise, those who can't do it are known, too. In practice the chance of real groaner getting scheduled is very, very small. In my own case, my two most recent presentations were done using only 1/2 page of notes and largely off-the-cuff. There was nothing for a review board to look at in advance. Yet as I recall, both were well-attended and well-received, with much enthusiastic applause afterwards and many personal thanks from members and non-members alike. The binocular astronomy talk was a lot of fun because I asked members to bring their personal observing set-ups and many responded. I also brought in a guest speaker, a local authority on using binoculars for both astronomy and birding. Rich pulled together a list of resources and was a terrific help as well. My prior talk on my ATM techniques was likewise well-recieved and I managed to get my editor at S&T to send a huge box of magazine issues for distribution. Again, it sure seemed to me like those in attendance enjoyed themselves, and there was a very large crowd, much larger than recent attendance. Member presentations aren't the crapshoot you think they are, Kurt. I remember many exellent ones. I remember no really bad ones. On 8/22/07, Kurt Fisher <fisherka@csolutions.net> wrote:
There is considerable expertise within SLAS, but if it cannot be communicated to the public, the mission fails. Many members are not
in a
working position where they exercise their public speaking skills. Presentations have a way of forcing one to organize one thoughts in a written manner and practice the anxiety inducing skill of public speaking.
The downside is that the presentations at general memberships can fail because the speaker is unprepared or, due to the pressures of daily life, prepares at the last minute. The remedy for that would be to require member presentations to be reduced to a Powerpoint that is sent to a SLAS review panel at least one month before a general meeting. WIth a few drafted presentations in hand, the officers could set schedule one or two of the general meetings out of the year for member presentations.
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Ann, I have had enough physics courses to keep up with the cosmology and stellar evolution, but I've been immersed in it for so long that it's become dry as dust. I agree with you. It's too far removed from the average amateur astronomer's life to accomodate a steady diet of it. I'm more of a hands-on ATM & casual observer than armchair theoretical physicist. Psychology light on science? What was emphasized then, phrenology? Voodoo? (just kidding!) We also had a binocular-astronomy star party that grew out of the bino-astronomy club presentation. We called it "Binopalooza" and it was a blast, held out at the Lakeside site. We've since talked about "Binopalooza II" but haven't pulled it together. Perhaps you are right and it's time for another. I'm interested provided my work schedule doesn't interfere. On 8/22/07, Ann Blanchard <a.blanchard@ugs.utah.edu> wrote:
Some of us just don't have the background to follow some of the technical lectures on, say, gamma ray bursts. It's not that I'm not willing to try, I just would rather not have a steady diet of lectures of that type. My degree was in Psychology, alas, rather light on the science area.
Certainly enough time has gone by, Chuck, that you might consider doing a reprise of one the talks you did in the past.
Let's hear it for Binopalooza II, that sounds very fun! Working up at the University, they are very "turfy" about who does "real" or "hard" science. Social and Behavioral Sciences is one college. The College of Science has even split our general education areas down to physical, life and applied sciences and you wouldn't even want to hear some of the arguments they have when a department (for example Anthropology) wants to offer a course for science credit. Anyway, thanks and I hope your work schedule cooperates for us! -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+a.blanchard=ugs.utah.edu@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+a.blanchard=ugs.utah.edu@mailman.xmission .com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 1:53 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Joanne's talk Ann, I have had enough physics courses to keep up with the cosmology and stellar evolution, but I've been immersed in it for so long that it's become dry as dust. I agree with you. It's too far removed from the average amateur astronomer's life to accomodate a steady diet of it. I'm more of a hands-on ATM & casual observer than armchair theoretical physicist. Psychology light on science? What was emphasized then, phrenology? Voodoo? (just kidding!) We also had a binocular-astronomy star party that grew out of the bino-astronomy club presentation. We called it "Binopalooza" and it was a blast, held out at the Lakeside site. We've since talked about "Binopalooza II" but haven't pulled it together. Perhaps you are right and it's time for another. I'm interested provided my work schedule doesn't interfere. On 8/22/07, Ann Blanchard <a.blanchard@ugs.utah.edu> wrote:
Some of us just don't have the background to follow some of the technical lectures on, say, gamma ray bursts. It's not that I'm not willing to try, I just would rather not have a steady diet of lectures of that type. My degree was in Psychology, alas, rather light on the science area.
Certainly enough time has gone by, Chuck, that you might consider doing a reprise of one the talks you did in the past. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
I applaud Joan Carman for her well researched and fun presentation last night. I truly love our SLAS mtgs, though I don't always attend due to, well, life. SLAS ownes a NASA toolkit titled "Planet Quest" and is here for our outreach efforts. If anyone would ever like to borrow it, contact me. It is wonderful for schools and other youth groups, and adults enjoy them too. The kit demonstrates 4 ways in which NASA locates planets and has printable sky charts on where these planets are located. Joan mentioned NASA's search for exo-solar planets last night. Here is their website. http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm Other NASA toolkits we have are about telescopes, black holes, and our galaxy. Our own Kurt Fisher has made a toolkit about how telescopes work and it is available to loan as well. -A
Life challenges (divorce, etc.) this year have kept my astro activity and participation at an all-time low, but not for lack of desire. Sorry I missed Joan last night, I love her enthusiasm. FWIW, I've always enjoyed hearing from those who have become very adept (mastered is not too strong a word) at a particular skill. Chuck or Bruce giving an ATM presentation, or Dave Bearnson (sp?) deep sky wonders presentations, etc. I like the show and tell aspect too -- members showing off equipment, especially home-built goodies (how many have seen Loren Bjerke's 6-inch "rocket launcher" Newt that won an award at Riverside once upon a time?). Sharing favorite objects is certainly fun when in the field observing; can't hurt to do some of that in a meeting as well (how to find it and what to look for, etc.). One of these days I'd also like to hear some of the polished lectures that seasoned veteran presenters like Patrick do for groups (like when he's down at Bryce). I've yet to sit through one, and I'm sure it would give me a lot of good ideas for the next time I'm asked to help out with a group. --- Ann House <ann@annhouse.org> wrote:
I applaud Joan Carman for her well researched and fun presentation last night. I truly love our SLAS mtgs, though I don't always attend due to, well, life.
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participants (9)
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Ann Blanchard -
Ann House -
Bob Moore -
Chuck Hards -
erikhansen＠TheBlueZone.net -
Joe Bauman -
Josephine Grahn -
Kurt Fisher -
Richard Tenney