The Astronomical Society of the Pacfic (ASP), in partnership with the American
Geophysical Union (AGU), the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and a
number of co-sponsors, hosted a national education and public outreach (EPO)
conference in Baltimore, Maryland, July 30–August 4, 2011. This meeting represented
the 123rd annual meeting of the ASP, founded in 1889, and which today continues to advance science literacy through astronomy.
The meeting provided a forum for those engaged in various aspects of earth and space
science EPO, and other forms of science education and communication, to come
together and share experience, expertise, and perspectives on how best to connect our audiences and constituencies to the understanding, process, and practice of science. This volume provides a summary of the meeting to serve as a useful reference for those engaged in EPO activities or those who wish to learn about the field. The conference included, among its participants, scientists, NASA and NSF funded
EPO professionals, K-12 teachers, university educators and administrators, informal science educators from a variety of venues, writers, social media experts, and other
professionals. Transcripts and summaries of many of their presentations, posters,
workshops, and special interest group discussions are included within.
The ASP regularly publishes both scholarly and educational materials, conducts professional development programs for formal and informal educators, and holds
conferences, symposia and workshops for astronomers and educators specializing in
education and public outreach. The ASP's education programs are funded by corporations, private foundations, the National Science Foundation, NASA, private donors, and its own members. More information about the Society, its products and services,
and how to become a member of the Society and support its work may be obtained at
its website: www.astrosociety.org.