The Implementation Manual and Catalog of Professional Development Elements is a practical guide for organizations planning to implement Portal to the Public. It represents the experiences of Portal to the Public sites and is supported by research and evaluation results.
The seven chapters in the manual are designed around the main components of the Portal to the Public guiding framework. The chapters guide you through the process of developing successful conversation-based public programs featuring scientists. You can purchase the chapters and Catalog of Professional Development Elements individually or purchase the entire manual including the Catalog and Appendices for $149.
Because the Manual is a comprehensive guide designed to cover the Portal to the Public approach end-to-end, it can feel hard to figure out where to begin. If you have already purchased the Manual and would like guidance on getting started, we’re happy to talk about options for individualized support.
Note that the Implementation Manual and Catalog of Professional Development Elements is protected under copyright. All rights are reserved, including the right to reproduce or distribute. The download of a copy of the Implementation Manual from this website constitutes a license for your personal use of the document.
Implementation Manual (Full Document)
Purchase the complete Portal to the Public Implementation Manual and Catalog of Professional Development Elements. This purchase includes a digital download of the introduction and seven main chapters of the Implementation Manual, Catalog of Professional Development Elements, and Appendices of helpful materials such as planning documents, evaluation instruments, program outlines, and other sample materials.
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Guiding Framework
The Portal to the Public guiding framework is the structured set of concepts from which your organization will develop its own unique project to bring scientists and public audiences together for face-to-face interactions.
Chapter 2: Conceptual Planning
Conceptual planning allows you to think through and develop an actionable plan for your organization’s unique Portal to the Public project.
Chapter 3: Partnership and Relationship Building
Identifying partners and building relationships can take time, but strong partnerships are a critical foundation for all Portal to the Public efforts. By working to understand a partner’s motivations and needs, you can design a program that is both appealing and rewarding to potential participants.
Chapter 4: Professional Development
Portal to the Public professional development prepares scientists to engage in face-to-face interactions with public audiences about their own scientific work. This chapter introduces the philosophy and style of the professional development activities (“elements”) outlined in the Catalog of Professional Development Elements, purchased separately.
Chapter 5: Public Programs
For public audiences, Portal to the Public programs and events provide an opportunity to meet the scientists working in their communities. For scientists, access to thoughtfully structured and carefully organized events can have a significant impact on rates of participation and feelings of success in conducting outreach.
Chapter 6: Organizational Sustainability
Planning for sustainability requires consideration of three, interrelated dimensions: attitudinal, programmatic, and financial. A focus on these three dimensions, along with thoughtful evaluation of a program’s real impacts, creates a strong basis for a durable, lasting project.
Chapter 7: Case Studies
This chapter showcases the journeys of three organizations using Portal to the Public. Each case study illustrates how an organization has applied the Portal to the Public framework to support their organization’s unique goals, grown their efforts over time, and responded to opportunities and challenges that have surfaced.
Catalog of Professional Development Elements
The Catalog of Professional Development Elements is a practical guide to creating and facilitating professional development experiences for scientists. The Catalog includes detailed activity plans for 27 “professional development elements:” activities that prepare scientists for effective communication in informal learning environments. The 27 elements are split into four main categories: How People Learn, Activity and Materials Development, Facilitation, and Reflection.