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NSF STC Directors Meeting

On August 18 and 19, CMMAP successfully hosted the 2014 National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center Directors Meeting. These meetings, held at a different Center location each year, bring together Science and Technology Center staff and NSF members to discuss a variety of topics, ranging from center overviews and highlights, to current scientific and education topics. They discuss best Center practices and future collaborations through a variety of breakout sessions.

Bringing STC staff together for this meeting each year not only strengthens bonds between the Centers and NSF, but also allows for networking opportunities and the chance to discuss new research possibilities and funding for years to come.

The 2014 meeting was very dynamic and was attended by about 75 members of Centers across the United States. Included in the two-day event were 14 "Ignite-style" presentations which were 5-6 minute engaging talks that provided an overview of each Center and highlighted their accomplishments. 14 Science talks of 15-20 minutes in length gave participants an in-depth look at a particular research or education topic at a general-audience level. Rounding out the meeting was a plenary talk by Rajul Pandya, director of UCAR's Office of Education and Outreach entitled, "Community Science: Designing discovery for broader impact".

Center supported students from all STCs were invited to a special and separate training, a Student Communication Workshop. Presented by Ninja Communications, the workshop was titled, "Science: Becoming the Messenger". The workshop combined relevant instruction with practical training around effective communication, and prepared participants to share their science with colleagues and broader audiences more confidently and effectively. Main content topics included: An event dinner was held at a popular local restaurant where our own Little Shop of Physics crew created an exciting atmosphere with their hands-on displays. And we literally mean, "hands-on".

CMMAP also hosted two optional activities for all participants. A tour of our local New Belgium Brewery was arranged with participants able to taste test their more common brews with some new offerings still in the test phase. Another group was led by CMMAP outdoor enthusiasts up into the local foothills of Lory State Park. The 3-mile hike climbed into a Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir forest and back down into the high prairie grasslands with abundant views of the plains, Horsetooth Reservoir and the city of Fort Collins.

All in all, this year's Directors Meeting turned out to be a fun, fullfilling, and informative event for all.

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