2011 Family Science Association Conference

Theme:  Helping Students Bridge the Borders Between Classroom Content and Application

Registration: You may register for the conference by mail or through the website (pay by credit card through our PAYPAL account). Registration is $175 and includes three breakfasts, two lunches, breakout snacks, and dinner at Multnomah Falls Lodge on Thursday night.  Final day for registration or cancellation for the conference is May 25th. No refunds are available after that date.      

Call for Proposals:  While students are often quite capable of memorizing textbook content, or recalling the specifics of a classroom lecture, it’s more important that students be able to take that information and apply it to life outside of the classroom. For that reason, the theme this year will focus on teaching ideas which help students take a concept and apply that to life outside of the classroom.  This may include activities, assignments, projects or other pedagogical tools used inside and outside of the classroom.  Indication of how the practice is evaluated will be considered. 
Conference sessions are generally interactive in nature.  Proposals will be blind, peer-reviewed and will be evaluated on the basis of clarity, relevance and evidence of participant involvement.  Sessions are expected to be 25-30 minutes in length.  To submit, email a 1-2 page proposal along with a cover sheet that includes author name(s), institution, postal address, email address, and any equipment needed (LCD, overhead projector, TV?VCR?DVD, Internet access) by March 25, 2011 to Suzanne Smith at smithsu@vancouver.wsu.edu.  The scoring sheet used by reviewers is available on the Family Science Association Website http://www.familyscienceassociation.org.

Accommodations:  The conference will be held at Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon.  Historic Edgefield, built in 1911 as the county poor farm, is a destination resort in the Pacific Northwest that blends Oregon's natural beauty with McMenamins' signature whimsy: original buildings carefully restored with cozy interiors, gardens grown using organic methods, great food and drink, live entertainment and more.  Encompassing a 74-acre parcel of farmland at the mouth of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, Edgefield is a 20-minute drive to or from the center of downtown Portland and about 15 minutes from Portland International Airport.  Room rates vary depending on the type of room chosen. For example they have hostel single beds available for $30 per night up to a suite with bathroom or a family bunk room for $150.   Tell them you are with Teaching Family Science when call for your reservation.  For reservations you can call 1-800-669-8610 or look for the Edgefield property at www.mcmenamins.com.

Local Attractions:  Edgefield is 20 minutes from downtown Portland, minutes from a small outlet mall, in the Columbia River Gorge which has hiking, biking, etc, Salmon ladders, two hours from Mt. St. Helens, one hour from Mt. Hood which features summer snow skiing, and much, much more.

Travel:  Troutdale is very easy to reach by flying into the Portland Airport (airport code PDX).  Rental cars are available as well as numerous shuttle services and reasonable taxi rides.  Blue Star shuttle picks up from the airport every 30 minutes and is approximately $30 each way. They can be reached at 1-800-247-2272. Another option is www.pdxshuttleservice.com for approximately $35 each way.  There are other options as well.

If you have further questions please contact:

Suzanne Smith
Washington State University Vancouver
14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98696
360-546-9714

To continue on to register through the website click here.