Hi Everyone -

WARNING!! VERY LONG POST WITH LOTS OF INFORMATION.  YOU MIGHT WANT TO PRINT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OUT! 

Eight days to go until the Showcase!  We are busy, busy, busy here at CSI handling all the details - name badges, programs, certificates, pins, handouts, schedules, signs, etc., etc., etc.  It is all coming together slowly but surely and it is clear that with all of your hard work and awesome inquiry facilitation skills, the 2008 Showcase is sure to be the best ever! We have approximately 200 people attending on Friday evening and 350 attending on Saturday!!

Here's some important reminders and details:

1.  Technology.  If your presenters are doing a powerpoint presentation, please remind them that there will be an lcd projector and computer in each room.  They should bring their presentation on a flash drive or burn it on a CD.  Of course, while not necessary, presenters are also welcome to bring their own computers and hook them up to the LCD projector if they feel more comfortable doing so.  Please also remind presenters that it is ALWAYS good practice to be prepared if your technology does not work by printing out a copy of your powerpoint as a handout or just to speak from.  David Young and Jeff Boyer will once again be available to troubleshoot any technology problems, but remember there are 20 presentations happening simultaneously, and they can only be at two places at any one time . . .and an occasional problem can't be fixed.   

2.  Showcase Program.  The program is now posted on the CSI website: http://education.ufl.edu/csi.  Click on the Showcase Button on the menu, and you can download the entire program.  In addition, there is a table that lists presentations by day, topic and grade level.  This "Showcase At A Glance" document can help attendees find sessions they wish to attend.  This document will also be handed out with the program on Saturday morning.  With the great deal of selection and choice, please strongly encourage your inquirers to visit the website and look at the program prior to the morning of the 19th to help plan their day out and not feel overwhelmed by all of the wonderful selections.  

3.  Arrival Time.  We will begin PROMPTLY AT 8:45 in the P.K. Yonge Performing Arts Center.  I would encourage all presenters to arrive between 8:15 and 8:30 so assure parking time, obtain their programs and name-badges, and  "check out their presentation room" prior to the start of Showcase if it will make them feel more comfortable.  

4.   Procedures.  Remind presenters that there will be two presenters in each concurrent session, as well as one or two UF students.  The UF students  will begin the session by each taking 3-4 minutes to share inquiries they have completed during field experience as  a "poster talk."  They will then introduce the first presenter.  Each presenter then has 15 minutes to share his/her work, and five minutes to take questions from those in attendance at the session.  After both presenters, there will be 5 minutes for General Discussion.  The UF students will help each presenter be aware of time by holding up 5 fingers to indicate to the presenter when he/she has 5 minutes left and 1 finger to indicate to the presenter when he/she has 1 minute left.  We will also be handing out a schedule for the timeframe of each session with the Conference Programs when people check in.  

5.  Hand-outs.  Presenter handouts are greatly encouraged!  The feedback from previous showcases indicates that people LOVE to receive handouts.  I anticipate the average audience size will be 15, but there may be some sessions with 3-4 people and some sessions with as many as 25.  Therefore, I'd encourage presenters to bring 15 - 20 copies of a hand-out for their session.  If they run out, email addresses are printed in the program, so audience who did not receive a handout can send the presenter an email request.  If the presenter has extra handouts, he/she can leave them in the presentation room or lay them out at the end of the Showcase in the Performing Arts Lobby for others who couldn't attend the session but are interested in the topic to take.    

6.  The Spirit of the Showcase.  Remind presenters that every session is guaranteed three - four  people in attendance  as there are 2 presenters and 1-2 UF students presenting in each session.  The purpose of the day is to celebrate, share, and have the opportunity to discuss educational practice with other professionals.  Both smaller, intimate sessions of 3-4 people and larger sessions of 10 - 15 are equally valuable for celebrating, sharing and discussing!  In fact, sometimes smaller sessions can be the most valuable as some fantastic discussion ensues when a small number of educators, passionate about a similar topic, gather together to discuss their work.  I want everyone to feel GREAT about their accomplishments regardless of the size of the audience at their session.

7.  Closing Ceremony - Pin and Certificated Distribution.  As the closing session of the program, all presenters will be receiving pins and certificates.  First year presenters will receive the Circle of Children pin.  Second, third, and fourth year presenters will receive a different pin.  To facilitate their distribution, I am going to have the appropriate number of pins and the correct certificates in envelopes for each of you for the teachers that you have worked with this year.  Please see Susan Stabel on the 19th immediately prior to the Closing Ceremony to pick up your envelope containing certificates and pins for your teacher inquirers.  

I think that about does it (for now anyway)!  The 18th - 19th of April is sure to be a POWERFUL learning experience for educators throughout our state and each one of us!!  Can't wait to see everyone on the 19th!

Happy Inquiring!

Nanc