Free virtual event connects thousands of teachers with UH science research

Contact:

See previous Science is Cool unconference sessions: https://www.thepocketlab.com/scic

***SUGGESTED VO SCRIPT BELOW***

Science educators around the world will get a front-row seat to groundbreaking research and innovation from the University of Hawaiʻi during a free virtual unconference showcasing Hawaiʻi science excellence.

For the first time, UH STEM Pre-Academy is partnering with PocketLab -an educational technology company that creates tools and resources to support hands-on STEM learning-to present the 16th annual Science is Cool (ScIC) Unconference on July 22 and 23, connecting thousands of teachers worldwide with UH scientists and other experts through interactive online sessions.

Session topics will include astronomy, forest ecology, volcanology, ocean sensing, wayfinding, marine biology, environmental science and coastal monitoring. UH Mānoa will be represented with the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (including Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, Department of Oceanography and PacIOOS), School of Life Sciences, and Marine Option Program, along with UH Hilo's . Guy Kawasaki, chief evangelist of Canva and UH Foundation trustee, will be a keynote speaker.

Attendees will be in one Zoom room, with the goal of creating a collaborative experience throughout the day. Unlike a traditional conference, an unconference emphasizes interactive, participant-driven discussions and collaboration, allowing attendees to engage directly with presenters and one another rather than simply listening to lectures. Professional development certificates are provided for all attendees and video recordings of all sessions are available afterwards.

Amazing science, amazing educators

More than 22,000 educators signed up for the event last year, and organizers are aiming for more than 20,000 this year. ScIC is designed for teachers, however, anyone interested in STEM topics are welcome to join.

"As part of our mission to connect University of Hawaiʻi research and innovation with K-12 classrooms, it was an easy decision to partner on Science Is Cool," STEM Pre-Academy Director Lauren Kaupp said. "We're excited for teachers both locally and globally to see some of the amazing science that happens every day across Hawaiʻi."

Kanesa Seraphin, director of the UH Sea Grant Center for Marine Science Education, will be sharing her work, including Voice of the Sea.

"I am really excited about this event because it is so interactive; we get to talk live and take audience questions-and it's going to be huge!" Seraphin said.

VO SCRIPT:

INTRO:

Calling all teachers!

The University of Hawaiʻi is inviting educators around the world to a free virtual event called the Science Is Cool "Unconference" on July 22 and 23.

VO:

More than 20-thousand teachers are expected to join online sessions featuring UH scientists and experts in astronomy, marine biology, ocean science, and more.

Unlike a traditional conference, attendees in this "unconference" can ask questions and interact live with presenters.

Professional development certificates are included, and recordings will be available afterward.

Registration is free and open now.