CALL FOR PROPOSALS – 2010 SACNAS National Conference
Deadline: 2/26/2010
Event:
2010 SACNAS National Conference, September 30 to October 03, Anaheim, CA
Conference Theme:
Science, Technology & Diversity for a Sustainable Future
About SACNAS
SACNAS is a national membership organization that comprises community college, undergraduate and graduate students;
postdocs; professors; administrators and researchers from academic, federal, and industry sectors; and precollege
(K-12) educators and students from all scientific and ethnic backgrounds. The mission of SACNAS is to encourage
Chicano/Latino and Native American students to pursue graduate education and obtain the advanced degrees necessary
for science research, leadership, and teaching careers at all levels.
The Conference
The SACNAS conference offers a national forum for investigation of questions related to a unifying theme while
focusing on the development of a new generation of researchers and leaders who will be instrumental in shaping
future directions and applications of scientific research.
The 2010 Theme
The goal of the 2010 SACNAS National Conference is to explore the various facets of sustainablity research.
Many members of the SACNAS community are strongly invested in environmental stewardship and human service.
This year's conference honors the positive in all of us—our potential to make a difference through our research
careers, our personal lives, and our engagement in like-minded community.
To enhance our conference, proposals for scientific symposia, professional development, etc. in all disciplines
are encouraged. A relationship to the theme—sustainability, new sustainable technologies
and engineering in service to minority communities around the world, and/or basic research with the potential for
expanding understanding of sustainable system, cycles, or processes— is encouraged but not required.
About Conference Sessions
SACNAS accepts proposals in the following session categories:
- Scientific Symposia
- Professional Development Sessions
- Precollege Teacher Workshops
- Preconference Events
- Special Interest Forums
- Receptions
Scientific Symposia feature cutting-edge research by premier members
of the scientific research community. The purpose of scientific symposia is for scientists from diverse disciplines
and settings to share advanced research and groundbreaking discoveries, to interact with attendees who share an
interest in their field, and to mentor students in developing their career interests and proficiency in scientific
presentations. Scientific sessions at SACNAS are crafted for attendees at all educational and career stages; the
mentoring goals of the conference add a dimension to the symposia not seen at most discipline-specific scientific
meetings. SACNAS recommends the inclusion of no more than four speakers per scientific symposium to allow ample time
for presentations and discussion with the audience, as well as so that we may publish the time of each presentation
in the conference program with accuracy. Each talk should be approximately 15-20 minutes and chairs should allow for
adequate time for a session introduction and a closing question and answer period. Please view below for examples of
scientific symposia sessions:
Professional Development Sessions assist participants in gaining and
refining the breadth of skills, beyond the bench, that lay the foundation for career success. Sessions feature a
combination of interactive discussions, concrete tools, and insightful advice related to professional topics and career
choices. Through the professional development sessions our participants advance their professional and leadership skills,
take part in hands-on practice, and receive guidance in outlining career goals. SACNAS does not accept sessions that are
geared toward promoting any one institution or program.
Precollege Teacher Workshops offer motivating, interactive professional
development in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology for precollege educators. The workshops explore
inquiry-based methodologies; help build lasting relationships with colleagues, scientists, and students from across
the country; engage participants in hands-on curriculum activities; and offer avenues to share exemplary techniques
for meeting the needs of minority students.
Preconference Events are workshops, sessions, and off-site fieldtrips
that take place either the day prior to the official opening of the conference or on the morning of the first day of the
conference. These seminars—normally discipline-specific or topical in nature—range from two to eight hours
in duration allowing for a more in depth exploration of the subject. Preconference activities are scheduled so that
they do not interfere with attendee orientations or conference opening celebrations.
Special Interest Forums offer diverse and inclusive gatherings for
conference attendees with a range of research areas, backgrounds, affiliations, and interests. These forums serve as
networking tools where members with shared interests can gather, interact, and develop strategies for mutual support.
Receptions are sponsored gatherings which support informal networking
among conference participants. Evening receptions generally offer an opportunity for attendees to meet a program’s
researchers and administrators and discover more about the organizations and groups that match their interests. These
activities are fully funded by the sponsoring organization, institution, or department and often include refreshments
and a relaxed atmosphere for building connections.
About Proposal Submission
Deadline: 2/26/2010
Online Proposal System: Session proposals will only be accepted via
online submission.
How to Submit:
To submit a session proposal log into your MySACNAS account or
create a new profile if you do not already have one, then locate the link “Create a Proposal.”
Please have the following information ready:
- Session Title
Provide the session title as it should appear in publications and online agenda. Note: SACNAS has
observed a correlation between the creativity/descriptiveness of the session title and session
attendance size.
- Session Proposal Type
Indicate the session type (i.e., precollege workshop, preconference event, professional
development session, reception, scientific symposium, or special interest forum).
- Intended Audiences
Indicate the intended audience(s) for this session proposal (i.e., professionals, postdocs, precollege
teachers, graduate students, undergraduate students, or all conference attendees).
- Disciplines
Indicate the scientific discipline(s) associated with proposed session. Note: You may choose up to
three disciplines OR the option “Interdisciplinary”.
- Session Goals
Explain the intended outcomes (e.g., “model the presentation skills associated with formatting a
scientific talk to tell a compelling story rather than to simply summarize facts” or “engage
participants in guided, small-group activities to develop skills for introducing oneself to a
potential mentor”). There is no word limit for this section.
- Session Materials
Describe the materials or curriculum that participants will receive.
- For Precollege Workshops ONLY – Grade Level
Indicate grade level(s) covered and include any special considerations regarding grade level applicability.
- Brief Narrative
Describe the session to potential session attendees as it should appear in publication (online and in
print – 50 words maximum). Note: SACNAS has observed a correlation between the creativity/descriptiveness
of the session description and session attendance size.The ‘goals’ section of the session proposal system does
not have a word limit.
- Indicate your desired session duration in hours
List preferred time for session. Traditionally, sessions are scheduled as follows:
– Precollege Workshops – 1 ½ hrs.
– Preconference Events – 2 to 7 hrs.
– Professional Development Sessions – 1 ¼ to 2 ½ hrs.
– Receptions – 1 hr.
– Scientific Symposia – 1 ½ hrs.
– Special Interest Forums – 1 hr.
- Sharing a Session Time
On occasion, the Program Committee determines that a proposal is related to another in such a manner that
a combined presentation would broaden the material for our participants. Indicate whether, if necessary,
are you would be willing to share a time slot with another proposal.
- Session Speakers
List proposed speakers (not including chair/co-chairs). Indicate full name, degree (e.g., PhD, MD, MPH, etc.),
professional job title, institutional affiliation, topic and/or talk title, and discipline for each proposed
speaker. In addition, for each individual, indicate whether his/her participation is confirmed or not confirmed.
Describe the diversity of the proposed group of speakers including how they offer a balanced representation of
field, institutional affiliation, career stage, ethnicity, and gender. (Please do not include
research descriptions or speaker biographies at this point in the process.)
- Chair and Speaker CVs
All session chairs/co-chairs are required to submit a brief current CV (4 pages max), to complete the session
proposal. (The “Upload a CV” functionality will be available to all chairs/co-chairs, at the top
of the session proposal form, once the proposal is created using the “Create Proposal” button.)
Speaker CVs are required during the proposal review process and may be submitted via email to
Bryana Britts, SACNAS program manager. Please note:
Proposals will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for possible inclusion in the program
if chair/co-chair CVs are missing.
- Sponsorship Information
Provide information regarding outside funding of your proposed session, chairs/co-chairs, speakers, etc.
Session proposals are considered incomplete until sponsorship information is submitted. SACNAS funding for
sessions is very limited; therefore, chairs/co-chairs are strongly encouraged to request session funding from
other sources to cover speaker expenses such as travel, lodging, and registration. (The “Edit Sponsorship
Info” functionality will be available to all chairs/co-chairs, at the top of the session proposal form,
once the proposal is created using the “Create Proposal” button.)
About Session Co-Chairs
Session co-chairs may be added to your session proposal once the proposal is created. The “Add a Co-chair”
functionality will appear at the top of the session proposal once the proposal is created. Added co-chair(s) will
receive an instructional email with a unique code. Once the co-chair logs in to his/her existing MySACNAS account or
creates a MySACNAS new user profile AND accepts the invitation to join your proposal, s/he will
have access to the proposal/session management system. All session proposal co-chairs will receive proposal status
communications, such as which of the session speakers has accepted an invitation to join the session. Note: it is
the responsibility of the chair to maintain contact with speakers and ensure all required materials and information
are received by SACNAS by the appropriate deadlines.
About The Proposal Review Process
Once the submission period has closed, all proposals are evaluated by the SACNAS Program Committee. Relation to the
theme (“Science, Diversity & Technology for a Sustainable Future”) is not a requirement; however,
proposals will be evaluated based on proposed topic(s), content, and contributing members.
Please be advised that the Program Committee reserves the right to decline or accept any proposal in full or in part
in the interest of providing a balanced program or due to limitations in space. Your flexibility and willingness to
work with individuals with similar and/or related experiences/topics are appreciated.
Due to space limitations and program objectives, SACNAS will decline proposed sessions that serve as recruitment
activities or solely contain information on organization-specific programs, experiences, or products. Furthermore,
proposals that include speakers from multiple institutions and at various stages in their career will be reviewed more favorably.
After Your Proposal is Accepted
Proposal Management Instructions (PDF)
About Addressing Questions
For additional information or for assistance with the online proposal system, contact Bryana Britts at (toll free)
877-SACNAS-1 or via email: bryana@sacnas.org. (Please included “2010 SACNAS
Session Proposal” in the subject line.)
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