Workshop Logistics

Workshop timing | Location | Travel | Accommodations | Meals | COVID

Workshop Timing

The main workshop will begin on Sunday evening, October 27th, 2024, at 5:00pm at Carleton College, concluding 2:00pm on Tuesday, October 29th. If traveling on Sunday makes you too late for the 5:00pm opening session, please plan to travel on Saturday instead, to enable you to be present for the entire workshop.

Optional Pre-Workshop Session

The program for this session will begin tentatively at 2:00pm on Sunday, October 27th and conclude around 4:00pm. Workshop participants who sign up for this session should plan travel accordingly. Participants may join this session on a drop-in basis to meet with available mentors and activity reviewers. This is an opportunity to meet with mentors 1-on-1, and there is no formal agenda. You can use the sessions to focus on what matters most to you.

Snacks and drinks will be provided!

A few ideas to make the most of the session:

  • Curriculum Planning: Seek advice on refining your curriculum.
  • Teaching Activities: Discuss your teaching activity and gather feedback.
  • Teaching Tools: Get tips on using MATLAB teaching tools effectively.
  • MATLAB and Application Areas: Explore new areas of MATLAB and computing.

Sign up for Pre-Workshop Session »

Location

The workshop will be held at Carleton College, at the Weitz Center for Creativity (Google Maps location open in a new tab). Lodging is available at the Fairfield Inn and Suites and the Country Inn and Suites in Northfield. See accommodations for more on booking a room.

Northfield, MN

Northfield is a small town about 40 miles south of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota's weather in October is highly variable, so please plan to dress accordingly. Please check the weather close to the workshop to prepare for snow, rain, or sun!

Travel

Participants are responsible for their travel to and from the workshop. Ground transportation to and from the airport will be provided for you within specified blocks. For planning purposes, we ask that you provide us with your travel information in advance. Book your travel early! Flights to Minneapolis-St Paul Airport are quite affordable when booked well in advance.

Travel by Air

Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport is the closest airport to Northfield. We recommend arriving no later than 2:30pm on October 27th and departing after 4:30pm October 29th. Travel to and from the airport takes approximately one hour.

Airport shuttles

We will provide three shuttles from the airport at pre-specified times: one on Saturday (10/26) evening at approximately 6:30 pm, one on Sunday (10/27) morning at approximately 11:30 am, and one on Sunday (10/27) afternoon at approximately 2:30 pm. One shuttle is arranged for approximately 2:00pm on Tuesday (10/29) following the conclusion of the workshop to return to the airport. Please fill out the Travel Information Form and select which shuttle(s) you plan to utilize. If you book your travel outside of these windows, you will be responsible for arranging your transportation.

View shuttle information »

If you have not scheduled a flight within the times of the offered shuttles, or need to leave the workshop earlier than the scheduled end time, we recommend scheduling a ride ahead of time using a rideshare program such as Lyft or Uber. Rideshare vehicles, particularly leaving from Northfield, may be harder to hire at the time of departure without scheduling them ahead of time.

Another option for any rides needed outside the shuttle times is the Northfield Metro Lines which runs from the airport and drops off at Willis Hall on the Carleton campus.

Travel by Rail

There are Amtrak routes that serve the Minneapolis-St Paul region.

Travel by Car

Northfield is about 40 miles south of Minneapolis-St.Paul. Participants within the region may choose to drive; parking is free of charge at the hotels and the meeting venue.

Accommodations

Participants are responsible for booking their own hotel rooms. We have secured group rates in reserved blocks at two hotels near the Carleton College campus. You may choose between the booking options:

Fairfield Inn and Suites

A hotel block is reserved at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Northfield for participants, including options for Saturday arrivals. The cost is approximately $192/night (after added taxes) for a single bed or $203/night (after added taxes) for two beds within the reserved block, and a booking link will be provided via email.

Country Inn and Suites

Our second option is the Country Inn and Suites in Northfield. The cost per night in the reserved block is approximately $149/night (after added taxes). To receive the group rate, call 507-645-2286 and book the room under the MATLAB block.

The Sayles-Hill Campus Center is within walking distance of the selected hotels; car transport will be arranged as needed.

Meals

The Fairfield Inn (and Country Inn and Suites) will serve continental breakfast each morning.

Lunches, dinners, and refreshments that are part of the official workshop program will be catered or in Carleton dining facilities. All meals will include vegetarian offerings. You will have the opportunity to indicate dietary restrictions if you require special meals. The price of all meals during the official workshop program is covered.

COVID

We want to ensure everyone's ability to participate safely in this in-person event. While Carleton College policy does not require vaccination or testing prior to visiting campus, vaccination is strongly recommended. Masks are optional in campus spaces, though masking indoors is still expected for those with a known exposure.

We encourage all participants to be fully vaccinated prior to traveling to the workshop. We also expect that anyone who has had a recent known exposure, or who tests positive for COVID-19 during or after the workshop, will inform us promptly.

For more information:

Please contact Holly Kelchner (hkelchner@carleton.edu)