Call for Papers:
What would you consider to be one of the “successes” in science education over the past few decades? In contrast, what is it that “vexes” you about science education and what information or approaches do you seek to help to resolve this vexation? These two questions will frame your presentation during 2005 Crossroads Conference. Your proposal is to address, to an equal extent, both of these questions.
The topic you have identified as one of the successes will certainly be of interest to a segment of the Crossroads attendees and they will be motivated to learn from you. The “successes” piece will serve to advertise your perspective and expertise on a particular issue. Do not limit yourself to teaching strategies. We can envision successes as including innovative research methodologies, important theoretical perspectives, powerful organizational structures, or any of a host of other tools that have played a role in improving science education. The purpose of your “successes” contribution will be as a quiet announcement to the larger group about your perspectives.
Proposal Submission:
It is requested that each participant submit a proposal for his or her presentation as part of the registration form available on this site. Registration is open now and must be completed no later than September 9, 2005. Proposals are to be approximately 500 words in length. Bibliographies are not necessary. You are being asked to plainly describe the two components. The review team will provide you with feedback about your proposal that will help shape the contributed paper you will submit for the Proceedings. The Program Committee is determined to conduct a highly expedited review process. This will permit participants to submit their registration materials and make travel plans far in advance of the actual event.
Paper Submission:
For the actual Crossroads Conference Proceedings, we will ask you to provide a paper describing these two areas ("successes" and "vexes") formatted as facing portions of a two-page spread. Your proposal to the Crossroads Conference will allow us to chart the intellectual landscape and organize the sessions. Consequently, it is vital that you supply clearly articulated successes and vexations.
All papers must be submitted no later than September 16, 2005. This will allow for posting to the conference website so that all participants that wish may review papers prior to coming to the conference. Submissions should be made electronically as a Word attachment to John.Settlage@uconn.edu.
The Presentation:
As for your actual presentation at the Conference, we intend for you to use this as a forum to voice your uncertainty and concerns about a very specific aspect of science education. You are to share your vexation with the expectation that others will assist you with clarifying, informing, and guiding you through this source of discomfort. You are to articulate your vexation, identify its source(s), indicate its significance, and invite feedback, insights, and suggestions for the other participants. In contrast with typical conference presentations where the person at the front is seen as the provider of expertise (or an authority to challenge), in this situation the presenter is seeking support from the audience.
Presentations will be grouped to promote generative conversations between like-minded individuals and dissimilar points of view. The goal is to spark new initiatives, promote fresh lines of inquiry, and create networks for ongoing support and collaborations. |
