Virtual Scientist

Background | Teachers and Technology Coordinators
Things to do Before and After a Videoconference | Presenters

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Background

“What a phenomenal experience! Not only did my students get to learn more about the brain, but they were able to interact with a scientist in another state as well as check out another use of technology! I am already searching for my next videoconference!”
--Stratford High School Teacher

The Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach is dedicated to the innovative use of technology to create vibrant learning partnerships between our university and K-12 schools. Initiated through an award from the National Institutes of Health, the CSO offers a virtual two-way videoconference connection between Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center research scientists, physicians, graduate and medical students and classrooms locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. We connect to over 5,000 elementary, middle and high school students in over 20 states per year.

Teachers and Technology Coordinators

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Each year we schedule a variety of programs which connect scientists to the classroom. Programs run approximately 30-45 minutes. Though the full program is currently on hiatus as we focus resources on the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt, programs are still offered on occasion through our partners. View scheduled conferences and register here. Past conferences have included:

Freaky Friday: Blood & Guts – view real human organs with a physiologist
Give a Hoot – Meet a barred owl and her wildlife rehabilitator
Ethics in Genetic Testing – discuss the “right and wrong” with genetic counselors
Human Robotics – a virtual lab tour complete with “thinking” robots
Theory of Relativity – learn from a physics professor/Albert Einstein impersonator
Healthy Living series – monthly visit with medical students concerning health topics
NIEHS topic series – cutting-edge research straight from Vanderbilt’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Physiologist by Request
Trail Guides
VIA Dyer series – shoot for the stars with our astronomers live from Dyer Observatory
Snacks4theBrain! podcast – download any or all of our brief audio "shows" to learn more about videoconferencing and everything else that goes on in Vanderbilt's world of science--bonus independent music and technology tips included

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Have a science question? Ask our network of experts through the “Science Hotline” at sciencehotline@vanderbilt.edu

Things to do Before and After a Videoconference

Before a Videoconference:

Make sure your equipment is working properly. Microphones should be muted, unless discussing, asking questions or otherwise prompted by presenter.
Explain proper videoconferencing "etiquette" to your students - i.e., don't fidget, pay attention, remember the presenter can see you also, etc. Our scientists are very busy, please make them feel that it was worth their effort.
Do any pre-conference instruction - make sure your students are prepared for the material to be covered in the videoconference. Some conferences will post material downloads along with their descriptions.
Ask your students to come up with questions before the presentation. Often, students have difficulty posing questions “on the spot”. The more questions and interaction, the better.

After a Videoconference:

Fill out an online evaluation. These are anonymous and short in length. We ask that teachers and students fill out individual evaluations.
Email the science hotline (sciencehotline@vanderbilt.edu) with follow-up questions.
View an archived videoconference to use in another class or to supplement a future curriculum topic.
Request any additional conferences you might like to see in the future.

Presenters

We cannot do this without your participation! We welcome any (current or retired) faculty, staff scientists, physicians, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and medical students in the science or engineering fields to present to our national K-12 audience. The Center for Science Outreach interactive videoconference studio is conveniently located in 802C Light Hall in the Medical Center. With enough prep time, we can also outfit your lab with a portable unit if a network connection is available. The CSO manages all technology and program aspects of your presentation.

Presentations should be approximately 20 minutes with 10-15 minutes available for discussion to generate a 30-40 minute session. We emphasize a dynamic, interactive and exchange-oriented format. Kids don’t really enjoy professional seminars.
Presentation times are flexible with most sessions offered in the morning (8:30 - 11:30). We ask presenters to be 15 minutes early for prep.
Presentations should be suitable for appropriate target audience (your choice of elementary, middle or high school). CSO staff can assist with this.
Movie clips, PowerPoint and other conventional digital formats can be viewed by the audience through our Internet capable laptop computer (or use your own laptop if it has S-Video or RCA output options).
CSO also provides Elmo visual presenter (can be used for writing/drawing or to show hand-held items) and video-capable microscope.

All areas of science and engineering are welcome as topic material. We are slowly developing categories that we deliver in a monthly series which you may find of interest and fit your focus or department/center affiliation. These include:

Tough Topics with the M.D. – diabetes & obesity, AIDS, drug abuse, pregnancy etc.
Women in Science – to promote girls to pursue science
Healthy Living – presented as part of a medical student elective
Freaky Friday: Blood & Guts – showcases human organs from Pathology
Genetics – current genetic counseling issues
Environmental Health Science – NIEHS Molecular Center for Toxicology
Neuroscience – Brain Institute
Virtual Lab Tours – use a portable unit and showcase your lab, equipment, etc.
VIA Dyer – astronomy and physics, a part of the Vanderbilt University Dyer Observatory’s outreach program
Again, a freestanding presentation is more than welcome.

Presenters can self-register. Just, contact us online or by phone at (615) 322-7132 for more information. Thanks for your interest!