Pre-Conference Workshops

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Interpreter's Road Show

Monday, November 28 - Tuesday, November 29
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

The NCDA Section Roadshow is a long-standing national workshop tradition which delivers interpreters, managers and administrators to several interpretive sites while giving them opportunities to go behind the scenes to meet with staff. The group will speak with administrative and front-line staff from public and private sites, institutions and organizations. Site tours will be conversational and highlight the resources that each site has while also learning about the successes and challenges that each experiences during operation. Likely conversation topics may include: volunteer management, program development, marketing, facilities management, master planning, funding development, creating partnerships, exhibit design, habitat management, and human resources. All transportation from the NIW site, two lunches, and one dinner are included in registration. Overnight lodging will be required but is not included in the registration cost for this pre-woprkshop. Participants should arrange for early check-in to the hotel of their choice for the duration of the NIW. No more than 24 participants will be accepted for this pre-workshop experience.

Target Skill Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: Leadership/interpretation management
Objective: Learn from administrative and interpretive peers about how they operate, manage volunteers, deliver environmental education and develop and execute master plans and interpretive plans.

Presenter: Jamie Krupka
Meals Provided: Day 1 (lunch and dinner), Day 2 (lunch)
Transportation: All transportation is included
Minimum Participants: 10
Maximum Participants: 25
Price: $230

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Inspire with PIE and TALK

Tuesday, November 29
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join us for a fun and engaging day long workshop as we explore how to inspire visitors through PIE and TALK, also known as participatory and dialogic interpretation.

Try PIE for Engagement - In the morning session, we will share some pie (for real!), and delve into the PIE model- Participation. Information. Engagement. Together, we’ll look at each slice of the PIE in detail, and also consider the whole PIE as a planning framework. Then we will use the PIE model to plan out a sample interpretation program and talk about how the PIE model is a valuable tool for training new interpreters. Try TALK for Connection- In the afternoon session, we will start with a brief review of the basics of Dialogic Interpretation- Talk types, Asking great questions, Leading with facilitation techniques, and Keeping visitors inspired to actions after. Next, we will explore three topics of concern in Dialogic Interpretation- increasing our participants’ level of engagement, improving the questions we ask, and overcoming common obstacles. This is Dialogic Interpretation 2.0, so workshop participants should already have some experience with two-way talk in interpretation. Bring your stories to share! Certificates of Completion provided to all participants.

Jacquie has worked in the interpretation field her entire career, and in 2015 received her Doctor of Social Sciences degree after studying the concept of inspiration in interpretation. Retired from Parks Canada, Jacquie now runs her own company called InterpActive. She loves facilitating training and looks forward to having you join in these participatory workshops! Purchase her book Inspired to Inspire: Holistic Inspirational Interpretation through the NAI website.
 
Target Skill Level: Intermediate
Objectives: 1. Know the PIE model components: Participation, Information and Encouragement. 2. Know the TALK model for dialogic interpretation. 3. Be inspired to use both models in interpretation and for training new interpreters.
 
Presenter: Jacquie Gilson
Meals: Lunch will be on your own
Minimum Participants: 10
Maximum Participants: 25
Price: $80

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Making Meaningful Interpretive Media

November 29

Translate your interpretive skills to develop meaningful and engaging interpretive media in this day-long workshop. You'll leave with the tools needed confidently create media.

All too often front-line interpreters are asked to develop interpretive media. While talented in live interpretation, sometimes they’re not sure how to translate their skills to developing interpretive media. That’s where this workshop comes in! Centered around creativity and thematic interpretation, this interactive workshop will give front-line interpreters the tools and skills they need to confidently create interpretive media. This full-day workshop is divided into three sections – the Basics, Media Development; and a Guided Activity. The Basics will lay the groundwork so that participants start with a solid foundation. We’ll define interpretation; talk about why it matters; and discuss the ways that we do it. We’ll define different types of media and discuss what makes some great and what makes some just plain bad. Then, we’ll dive into Media Development where we’ll learn about audiences and the needs of different exhibit experiencers. We’ll dive deep into content development and learn how best to tell a story. Participants will build an interpretive writing toolkit that gives them the tools to create engaging and meaning text. Then, participants will learn how to structure content in a wayside panel and discover how thoughtful graphic design can help tell the story. Finally, participants will get to test their new skills as they create a small panel that they will share. Interpreters will leave with the tools and confidence needed to develop their own projects.

Sarah Helwick LIsle loves people and places, and it's her passion to connect the two in meaningful interpretive experiences. After nearly 15 years working at Texas State Parks and the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, she recently started Sarah Lisle Interpretive Studio where she works with a variety clients to bring sites and stories to life.

Target Skill Level: Novice
Objective: Give participants the tools to translate their skills and talents in live interpretation into accessible, appropriate, and creative forms of interpretive media and writing.
 
Presenter: Sarah Helwick LIsle
Meals Provided: lunch on your own
Minimum Participants: 10
Maximum Participants: 25
Price: $80

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A Blueprint for “Bluescriptions”

Tuesday, November 29
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Join Dr. Wallace J. Nichols author of Blue Mind and Brian Thill from the South Carolina Aquarium as they dive into the neuropsychology of water and how to implement wellness.
 
As we continue to work through the pandemic and increasing rates of emotional health challenges we wanted to look at how places like aquariums, parks, zoos, and nature centers could play a role in helping others. With a vision of "Connecting people to water, wildlife and wild places" the South Carolina Aquarium looked at programming that engaged Blue Mind theory for staff and visitors. Our goal is to share the research behind humans interacting with water and then look at how to implement at your facility. Our goal would be that participants have tools to take back to their centers to implement programing that benefits, staff, multiple audiences, and conservation. Participants learn about and have tools to address wellness programming across many of their facility’s divisions (staff, volunteers, visitors, marketing, outreach, education, development)
 
Outside is my therapy. Interpretive Nerd. Loves to see people get better/improve. Director of Education at the South Carolina Aquarium if we want to be fancy.
 
Target Skill Level: Novice
Objective: Participants understand the research and best practices related to the emotional wellness benefits of water and wildlife and wild places. Participants see models of programming that could be implemented and adapted at their center.

Presenter: Brian Thill
Meals Provided: lunch on your own
Minimum Participants: TBD
Maximum Participants: TBD
Price: TBD

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The Cutting Edge

Tuesday, November29
9:00am - 4:00 pm

The Cutting Edge pre-conference workshop is an established tradition that provides interpretive trainers a venue for new ideas, best practices, methods, and techniques used in the Certified Interpretive Guide course. We will spend part of the day sharing our experiences and learning from one another with a facilitated idea-sharing/problem-solving session, so bring anything you want to share. Whether you are a new trainer looking to help illuminate interpretation for students or an experienced trainer seeking fresh ways to enhance and brighten up your course design, we’ve got the sparks for you.
 
Target Audience: NAI Certified Interpretive Trainers

Presenter: Liz Emerson & Carly Broder
Meals Provided: lunch on your own
Minimum Participants: 10
Maximum Participants: 25
Price: $65