|
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
|
46
|
Notre Dame, Indiana
|
2010
|
John Schroer
|
John French
|
|
Spitz Lecturer: Chuck Bueter
|
Attendance: To be determined
|
|
After the Wednesday night opening reception in Jordan Hall we went right into the “Digital Visualization Theater” (DVT, otherwise known as the planetarium) for the first vendor showcase of the conference. That was followed by the DVT staff presenting their own showcase of material so we could all see some of the unique things they were up to at Notre Dame. In today’s economy, where planetariums are closing down, it was good to see a brand new facility, especially one crossing disciplines. The fact that Notre Dame’s planetarium (DVT) is being utilized by many different departments besides science should be an eye-opening note for many who are looking for ways to stay open. On Thursday after breakfast and the usual welcome, it was on to paper session 1. The morning finished up with a second vendor showcase and then a break for lunch. There were quite a number of workshops offered at this conference so the afternoon was filled with two full sessions of workshops. Francine Jackson joined GLPA a number of years ago on the advice of Steve Mitch, who had told her that GLPA was the most education based of the planetarium associations. He was right and the workshop sessions are a good example. There were more hands-on materials available again this year, such as Dayle Brown’s Treasure Island and Karrie Berglund’s lesson plan on how we know what we know. As we came to together to relax and have dinner, we were awed by hearing about “Dark Energy” presented by Dr. Peter M. Garnavich from the Department of Physics at the University of Notre Dame. And then . . . with new vendors arriving on the scene each year wanting everybody to see what they are offering, we were back in the DVT for dessert . . . uhh, I mean two more sessions of vendor demos before the “relaxation” began in the hospitality suite. Speaking of new vendors, one of the most unique at this conference was one selling 3D astronomy-themed postcards. What a beautiful and inexpensive addition to any museum or planetarium store. The order of the day on Friday was paper and poster sessions. This is the “meat” of the conference where GLPA members share with each other. We did take a break at lunch to hear our own Dr. Ron Kaitchuck present his second Astronomy Update, so that all of us under the dome can be up-to-date with what’s going on. Friday, of course, ends with the annual Spitz banquet. This year Chuck Bueter had the honor of presenting the Spitz lecture, “Enthusiasm Flowing in the GLPA Watershed.” On Saturday we continued the learning and sharing with additional paper presentations followed by the GLPA business meeting. We got to relax once more at the end, as we socialized, received door prizes, and said our farewells for yet another year. |
|
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
|
47
|
Champaign, Illinois
|
2011
|
John Schroer
|
John French
|
|
Spitz Lecturer: Lee Ann Hennig
|
Attendance: To be determined
|
| Conference description coming soon. |