One of the intended outcomes for the CAISE Media Convening was to identify and prioritize critical issues faced by ISE media producers, and then to develop a set of shared objectives around which we could collectively begin to organize ourselves.

Discussion topics that clearly surfaced were a desire to learn more about each other’s projects, finding ways to think more deeply about engagement strategies around STEM media, suggestions to consider outcomes such as capacity-building as part of our work, and the need to continue to innovative in our use of new media technologies to reach underserved, niche, and networked learners.

After 2-days of lively conversation, convening participants settled around three areas of action and some initial ideas for ways to move forward.  Below is summary of discussion points from our last session with suggested next steps, several of which including planning for the 2012 ISE Summit in Washington DC (14-16 March).

 

Action 1. Build a Field/Practice of Science Media Professionals

Several directions were discussed here:

• Develop a professional society of science media makers;
• Conduct regular meetings, create an on-line presence/community, and reward excellence;
• Develop on-going training and professional development opportunities;
• Sponsor some strands and sessions at 2012 ISE Summit that build off the media convening agenda and support cross-sector connections;
• Ensure the participation of a young and diverse set professionals through special initiatives, and build in funding to bring young professionals to the Summit;
• Create or support regular gatherings (with two coordinated sub-directions) —

a. Seek funding to support a one-day convening the day before or after the 2012 ISE Summit in DC  via a small NSF conference grant, and/or pursue a larger grant to stage a gathering (scope scale, TBD) for media professionals.  If the gathering were held before the PI Summit, we may be able to extend the CAISE Summit room rates and meeting spaces to attendees.  It would also give us an opportunity to discuss strategies, communication plan, review presentations and trainings prior to the Summit.
b. CAISE in its Year 6-10 renewal proposal seeks funding to support a series of on-going media convenings.  CAISE needs input on the goals, scope, design, partners and outcomes for these.

Short terms actions prior to the 2012 Summit:

1. Seek a conference grant from NSF for one day gathering, possibly connected to the Summit. Ari Epstein and JoAnna Baldwin have begun work on this effort.
2. CAISE will explore the viability of proposing additional media convenings in our Y6-10 scope or work statement for the renewal process with NSF.
3. Organize a working group to develop media related strands, sessions and training opportunities for the 2012 ISE Summit; find ways to build excitement and interest in the event and design ways to showcase ISE projects at the summit.

The CAISE contacts for this action will be Jamie Bell and Marti Louw

Action 2. Better Evidence – What we know? What we want to know?

• Gather evidence of audience impacts from PI’s across the ISE media field (NB: questions, common problems, opportunities still need to be framed).
• Create a statement or body of findings from the science media field about the impact of our work.  Develop a short 6-page report/media impacts statement which synthesizes these finding and develop a strategy for sharing findings at the 2012 ISE Summit. UPCLOSE/CAISE will spearhead this synthesis effort and report writing.
• CAISE will organize a working group of evaluators and media to PIs to discuss methods for study design, data capture, analysis and presentation strategies for stakeholder audiences. UPCLOSE/CAISE will spearhead this synthesis effort and report writing.

Short terms actions prior to the 2012 Summit:

1. CAISE arranges a series of conference calls to discuss the collection of shared experiences/impacts and assign responsibilities.
2. Develop a working group to develop the media impacts statement for the 2012 ISE Summit and plan an agenda to support its rollout and discussion.

The CAISE contact for this action will be Kevin Crowley and Karen Knutson.

Action 3. ISE (Media) Awareness Campaign

• The group identified the need for a communication strategy that defines stakeholder audiences and tells our story of impact and value.  This effort will need to be funded, staffed and have a home in CAISE or beyond.  CAISE as part of its Y6-10 planning will discuss ways to support a public awareness/identity campaign around ISE projects and more broadly for an informal science education communication strategy.  Several members in the discussion group were going to return to their home institutions and explore avenues for creating a public awareness campaign specifically for STEM media.
• Need to develop distribution channels to seed the science media story;
• Consider a convening to broaden participation, partners and funding for an ISE communication plan

Short term actions prior to 2012 Summit

1. Organize a series of conference calls and gather feedback to form a working group. Discuss how CAISE can participate and where it can be of assistance.
2. Ideate with CAISE at it proposes a communication strategy for its Y6-10 renewal.

The CAISE point person for moving this discussion will be Jamie Bell.

Over the coming weeks we will be sending out emails and organizing calls to initiate working groups of people who want come together around the above three areas of action.  This will also be an opportunity to bring other colleagues into the conversation.  Please email us if any of the above aspects of the CAISE media initiative are of particular interest to you, or others you might know, and how you might like to contribute.  Note that Sue Ellen McCann as a CAISE Senior Advisor will also continue to guide and contribute to this initiative and all the action areas.

 

Lastly, please continue to use the posting/comment function at www.caisemedia.org or send tweets to #isemedia to share thoughts and ideas, interesting reports or articles, and email us suggestions or cautions relevant to the emerging objectives described above.  We will use the website to calendar calls, post agendas and discussion notes.  In the meantime, we are working on meeting documentation that can be shared with staff, colleagues and via the CAISE communication networks to bring others into the conversation.

 

On behalf of all of CAISE and the NSF Informal Science Education program, we want to truly thank all those who participated in the first Media Convening and we look forward to continuing to work with you and the field to refine and realize these objectives.

 

With gratitude,
Marti, Sue Ellen and the CAISE Team