Dear Rendezvous Participants,
We hope the Opening Reception gave you a chance to connect with old friends and meet some new colleagues! Monday marks the official start of the Rendezvous program, and it is a full day. Here is what to expect:
Registration Table
The Registration Table is open in theJones Physical Science Center lobby throughout the day, starting at 7:30am. If you have not yet picked up your badge, you must do so before attending your first session.
Morning Workshops — 8:30–11:30 am
The first set of 2-day workshops begin today, as do the 4-day workshops. Please attend the workshop you registered for; you can find the details on the back of your badge.
Lunchtime — 11:30 am–1:30 pm
Lunch is on your own, but we have two optional lunchtime activities for Monday!
- The South Caroliniana Library Tour runs from 12:00–1:00 pm. The Caroliniana is the nation's oldest freestanding college library building and boasts a recreation of the room that housed Thomas Jefferson's personal library in the second Library of Congress! To join, meet at the Registration Table by 11:45 am.
- The Rare Books Tour runs from 12:00–1:00 pm. See original works by Darwin, Curie, Lyell and more! To join, meet at the Registration Table by 11:45 am. This tour is capped at 15 and will be first-come first-served, but if you cannot make it today, these books will be available for viewing all week on your own, Tu-Th, from 10-3 in the Hollings Reading Room, which can be accessed through the main level of Thomas Cooper Library at 1322 Greene Street, Columbia, SC.
While you're exploring lunch options, don't forget to check out the lunchtime options page for additional ideas around campus and Columbia throughout the week.
Afternoon Contributed Program — 1:30–4:00 pm
All registered participants are invited to attend the afternoon contributed oral sessions running from 1:30–4:00 pm in Jones 002 or an afternoon mini-workshop (see below).
Afternoon Mini-Workshops — 1:30–4:00 pm
No advance registration is needed for the afternoon mini-workshops. Monday's options include:
- Getting the Most Out of Analogies in the Geoscience Classroom; Coker 005
- Observing Change: Phenology as a tool for inspiring student curiosity; EWSC 101
- From Confusion to Confidence: Teaching students to read geoscience; Jones 006
- Curriculum Design with Interdisciplinary Learning Goals for Environment and Sustainability; Coker 104
- Listening to Earth's Secrets: What earthquakes reveal; Coker 102
Afternoon Snacks— 3:30–4:30 pm
Recharge with afternoon snacks available in Jones PSC Lobby (registration area).
Exhibitor Showcase — 4:30–5:45 pm
Stop by the Exhibitor Showcase in Jones Lobby to connect with this year's exhibitors and learn about resources and tools that can support your teaching and research. The next prize items will be drawn at 4:30 at the start of the Showcase. You must be present to win!
Evening Activities
Check the social events page for information about evening activities and meet-ups happening all week. There may be something that catches your eye!
Monday Night we have:
- Continuing/non-tenure track faculty meet up at 6:30 pm at Publico in 5 Points. Please contact Annie Klyce (annie.klyce@vanderbilt.edu) with any questions.
- Visit the Melton Observatory! Interested in some stargazing? Located on the Horseshoe of the USC Columbia Campus, the Melton Memorial Observatory contains a 16-inch Cassegrain telescope that provides a stunning view of the night sky for research purposes, students, and the general public. It is open on Monday evenings between 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm, and no appointments or reservations are required. Since the Observatory's ability to operate is dependent on the weather, the Melton Observatory Facebook page is updated with its status each Monday morning.
Questions?
For programmatic questions, contact Co-chairs Barbra Sobhani, Colorado Space Grant Consortium (COSGC) (Barbra.Sobhani@Colorado.EDU) and Alexandra Davatzes, Temple University (alix@temple.edu).
For questions about the campus, Columbia, or the dorms, contact local hosts Katherine Ryker, University of South Carolina (kryker@seoe.sc.edu) and Michelle Hardee, University of South Carolina (HARDEEM@mailbox.sc.edu)
Have a wonderful first full day at Rendezvous! As always, find us at the Registration Table if you need anything. And don't forget to tag #EarthER26 on social media!
Warmly,
The Earth Educators' Rendezvous Organizing Team