There are four ways to bring your talent and unique experience to the stage at the 2016 MAPS conference.

Paper Talks
Poster Presentations
Workshops
Panel Discussions

Proposals for the 2016 conference are accepted through July 4th


Paper Talks

are scheduled in 15-minute time slots. Talks allow the short presentation of any topic that lends itself to publication as a research or topical article. A written document suitable for publication must be submitted prior to the start of the conference. Presenters should allow time at the end for questions, and they may have hand-outs for the general group. These talks can involve a PowerPoint presentation, video and/or use of planetarium equipment and are sometimes presented as a planetarium mini-lesson.

Poster Presentations

are displayed for most of the conference with time scheduled for authors to present material to interested delegates. Some subjects are better presented with posters or display boards, hand-outs, and one-to-one conversation.

Workshops

are longer, 45 and 90 minute engaging sessions, scheduled concurrent with other workshops, when small groups explore specific subjects together with a leader. Workshops engage participants interactively and can include make-and-take activities, introductions to tools and methods, or explorations of specific topics and problem solving in planetarium development and operation. Vendor-conducted workshops are an option for sponsors in accord with sponsor guidelines.

Panel Discussions

allow a delegate to organize several people to serve on a panel to address complex or controversial topics. Panel discussions are presented to the entire conference body and will entirely fit within a 30 minute time slot. Submit proposals only after confirming the members who will sit on the panel.


Download Paper Proposal [PDF]

Feel free to address any questions about the proposal of a presentation or the process to the MAPS Program Committee Chair at planetarium@buffalostate.edu

A common proposal form for the various presentation types is enclosed, and the Program Committee welcomes one or more with your registration. To help with scheduling, you may send them ahead of your registration to planetarium@buffalostate.edu and pxts13@yahoo.com

Please note that a written version of your presentation must be sent electronically to the program committee at planetarium@buffalostate.edu by the start of the conference.