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Strategic Science Communication

Want to attend more than one COMPASS workshop? You can now purchase a class pass to save up to $50 per workshop! Learn more here.

Learn tools and strategies to help you understand how to effectively communicate science topics for a variety of audiences.

Good communicators are made, not born. Through training, practice, and feedback, we can all make progress on our personal journeys to becoming more strategic and effective communicators. Grounded in science communication research and practice, this interactive virtual workshop is an opportunity to practice communicating strategically about something that matters to you.

Over the course of three hours, COMPASS trainers guide you through techniques and tools that help you prepare for strategic communication, then support you as you apply what you’ve learned through facilitated group discussions and activities, including practice sessions with other participants in breakout rooms.

By the end of the workshop, you will have:

  • A stronger understanding of the science behind science communication
  • Experience using the Message Box, COMPASS’s signature tool for breaking down complex topics into digestible, effective messages
  • A draft COMPASS Message Box of your own, on a topic of your choosing
  • Feedback on your draft messages from peers

By registering for this workshop, you are agreeing to use a webcam during discussion and breakout room portions of the workshop. Please also commit to actively participating for the benefit of yourself and the group. Due to the progression of materials presented and the paired exercises, we cannot admit participants who are more than 15 minutes late. More information can be found in the FAQ section below.

Who could benefit from this workshop?

This workshop is open to anyone who would like to build their strategic science communication skills. Becoming a better communicator is a practice, not a destination; wherever you are on your journey, this workshop will provide you with an opportunity to practice communicating strategically about science topics that matter to you.

Technology

The workshop will be held on the video conferencing platform Zoom. If you are unfamiliar with the platform, this one-minute video explains how to join a meeting. You will need a webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection. Recommended upload/download speed is 5Mbps/5Mbps. Test your internet speed here by clicking “run speed test.” This workshop will also incorporate the browser-based whiteboard program called MURAL.

Details

Tickets

Want to attend more than one COMPASS workshop? You can now purchase a class pass to save up to $50 per workshop! Learn more here.

FAQs – Virtual Workshops

I need to arrive late/leave early. Is that ok?

Due to the progression and interactive material presented, you are unlikely to be able to catch up to the rest of the group if you arrive more than 15 minutes late. We also may use our discretion for smaller groups that are discussing sensitive topics, and not admit latecomers if it would undermine the group’s shared learning. Latecomers will have the option to apply their ticket to a future workshop instead.

Part of the magic of our workshops is the peer feedback and peer-to-peer learning that takes place. To ensure that is possible, it’s really important for everyone to arrive on time and be as present as possible throughout the session. If you think that will be a challenge for you, but you would still like to attend, let us know when you register or email us at trainings@COMPASSscicomm.org

My webcam doesn’t work. Can I still attend?

A functional webcam is highly recommend, but you can still attend as long as you are able to verbally participate in group discussion and paired exercises in breakout rooms.

Can I call in to the workshop?

This workshop includes visual content viewed via Zoom screen sharing and browser-based content, so we do not recommend that you solely call in to the workshop.

Will the workshop be recorded?

No. For the privacy and comfort of all participants, this workshop will not be recorded.

Will there be other dates or opportunities to join a COMPASS virtual workshop?

Yes! To stay up to date on our virtual offerings, sign up for our newsletter.

What does it mean to be waitlisted?

We create a waitlist for workshops that reach capacity so that we can offer spots as they become available. If there is a cancellation and a spot becomes available, we will open up registration for the first person on the waitlist and then work our way down the list as other spots become available. We will contact you directly to let you know if a spot has opened for you.

What is your refund policy?

We are a small nonprofit organization, and are unable to provide refunds for no-shows, or discounts for late arrivals/early departures. If you notify us 24+ hours before the workshop that you won’t be able to attend, we can process a full refund minus the Eventbrite fee or apply your ticket to a different workshop. For notifications that are less than 24 hours before the workshop, we can only offer to switch your ticket to a future workshop.

Can I transfer my ticket to another person if I can no longer attend the event?

Yes! Participants are allowed to transfer their registration up to 24 hours in advance of the event. There is no charge to transfer registration, unless there is a price difference between the tickets.

Can I purchase tickets for other people?

Yes! You will need to have the names and email addresses of the people for whom you are purchasing tickets. To complete the purchase, you may enter “N/A” for the additional questions in the order form. Once the tickets are purchased, an order confirmation will be sent to the purchaser and to each participant. The participants can then retroactively fill out the additional questions in the order form.

Still have questions?

Contact us at trainings@COMPASSscicomm.org and we’ll do our best to answer them!

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