The registration deadline for SciComm, a conference on effective science communication, is quickly approaching.

The three-day conference, which feature NPR science correspondent Joe Palca, is March 23 to 25 at the Nebraska Union. Registration and hotel reservations are due March 2.

Palca, known for his science program Joe’s Big Idea, will present the keynote speech at 8:30 a.m. March 25, the final day of the conference. and Jacqueline Gill of the Climate Change Institute will also deliver a keynote speech at 8:30 a.m. March 24.

The event opens March 23 with professional development workshops, that include the American Association for the Advancement of Science; Portal to the Public (PopNet); Improv for Scientists by Friends of Joe’s Big Idea; and Summing up your Science in 90 Seconds.

A Student Lightning Talk competition is March 23 and will feature presentations dedicated to climate change, vaccines or evolution. Palca and Maddie Sofia, assistant producer on NPR's Science Desk, will judge the competition and provide feedback and discussion.

On March 24, the conference will continue with a welcome address by Chancellor Ronnie Green, followed by Gill’s presentation and then morning concurrent sessions focused on six key areas: informal STEM learning; science communication research; K-12 STEM; disciplinary-based education research; science and the media; and broader impacts.

The University of Nebraska State Museum will be celebrating Mueller Planetarium’s 60th anniversary. SciComm participants will get into the museum free and can participate in science activities, plus see a classic fulldome show (admission charged).

The event will be followed by a poster session from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Nebraska Union. It will close with Nerd Nite hosted by the University of Nebraska—Lincoln graduate students. Palca and Sofia will attend.

Access a complete schedule of events.

Sponsors include Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication; Center for Biotechnology; College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; College of Arts and Sciences; College of Education and Human Sciences; Department of Entomology; Department of Physics and Astronomy; Department of Sociology; Nebraska SCIENCE; Office of Research and Economic Development; School of Biological Sciences; and the University of Nebraska State Museum.