Lessons Learned from NASA’s 2nd Annual Citizen Science Community Workshop Online Series
The following suggested practices for effective online events were compiled by Sarah Kirn, Heather Fischer, Jennifer Shirk, Reanna Putnam, Leigh Peake, Olivia Vega (Event Coordinator), and Marc Kuchner from their shared reflections on the series of biweekly online events that served as NASA’s 2nd Annual Citizen Science Community Workshop in 2020.
Set the stage
Follow NASA guidelines to use and enforce a Code of Conduct appropriate for virtual setting.
Use ubiquitous, familiar technologies (we used Zoom) so participants focus on the content and discussions rather than the videoconferencing technology.
Set up for success and access
Staff up and hold regular (weekly) planning meetings with the whole event team: event planner, NASA lead, evaluators, host, social media lead, panel hosts.
Pre-record presentations and other content for quality video and audio; engage professionals to help. Conversations between two or three people can be more engaging than one talking head. Added bonus: presenters are free to interact on chat/Q&A interface during presentations.
Share panel hosting responsibilities (keep one consistent series host)
Keep it real, personal, and lively
***Bring speaking guests on 30 minutes early, do sound and light checks, then hold live discussion while attending audience joins. This allows speakers to warm up, and gives the audience something live to join.
End the call with live, informal discussion as well. We had some “magic moments,” where speakers and participants reflected on what they heard and synthesized new ideas. Leave chat open for participants.
Hold a LIVE Q and A.
Acknowledge and respond to current events, from NASA mission launches to protests.
To chat or not to chat? Yes, and...
Communicate regularly with the audience.