CALL FOR PROPOSALS – 2009 SACNAS National Conference
Deadline: 2/20/2009
Event:
2009 SACNAS National Conference, October 15-18, Dallas, TX
Conference Theme:
Improving the Human Condition: Challenges for Interdisciplinary Science
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 2009 Theme
The goal of the 2009 SACNAS National Conference is to explore how new and original research across
disciplines advances our knowledge in all aspects of the human condition and provides solutions to
problems and limitations impacting human potential. The conference will highlight scientists who reach
out for help across conventional disciplines divisions and whose research epitomizes the emerging fields
between or at the edge of traditional sciences. See the national conference highlights
page for more information on the conference theme.
To enhance our conference, proposals for scientific symposia, professional development, etc. in all disciplines
are encouraged. A relationship to the theme—the human condition, improving human health,
innovations affecting human potential within minority communities around the world, holistic perspectives on
the definition of the human condition (mind, body, and spirit), and/or interdisciplinary research and emerging
disciplines— 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
- Orientations
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. To allow ample time for presentations as well as discussion with audience members, SACNAS recommends
the inclusion of four speakers per scientific symposium.
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.
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.
Orientations assist conference attendees to understand the goals and
opportunities available at the SACNAS conference. For students, these sessions provide strategies and professional skills
to get the most out of the meeting, as well as discussions of essential conference etiquette and expectations.
About Proposal Submission
Deadline: 2/20/2009
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., orientation, precollege workshop, preconference event, professional
development session, 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 compeling 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”).
- 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.
- Indicate your desired session duration in hours
List preferred time for session. Traditionally, sessions are scheduled as follows:
– Orientations – 1 to 1 ½ hrs.
– Precollege Workshops – 1 ¼ to 2 ½ hrs.
– Preconference Events – 2 to 7 hrs.
– Professional Development Sessions – 1 ¼ to 2 ½ hrs.
– Receptions – 1 hr.
– Scientific Symposia – 1 ¼ to 2 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 confirmend 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 an 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. Interdisciplinary
science and/or improving the human condition related subject matter is not a requirement; however, proposals will be
evaluated based on proposed theme, 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 will be favorably reviewed.
About Addressing Questions
For additional information or for assistance with the online proposal system, contact SACNAS via at (toll free)
877-SACNAS-1 or via email: info@sacnas.org. (Please included “SACNAS
Session Proposal” in the subject line.)
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