For the past several years, there has been a robust poster session at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting focusing on education, outreach, and related matters. Diverse topics have been presented in these areas. Both the Education Committee K-12 Subcommittee and Undergraduate Subcommittee actively recruited educators to participate in this session. In San Diego at the 54th SOT Annual Meeting , 24 posters were presented on topics ranging from “Improving 3R Application in Regulatory Testing” to “Lotions Are Not Potions...: Results of an SOT K–12 Education Outreach Workshop” and “Use of Multiple Model Systems to Develop Student-Designed Research Projects in an Undergraduate Toxicology Course.”
There were five posters on topics related to K-12 education, 12 to undergraduate education, five oriented to public outreach, and two on topics relevant to researchers. Presenters included nonmembers as well as SOT members.
The Undergraduate Subcommittee took the lead in surveying poster submitters and presenters on the value and effectiveness of the session and suggestions for improvement. There were 27 contacts and 15 (56%) responded to the survey. In general, the survey respondents found value in the session and felt the event met their expectations.
Among of those who answered the survey, 85% agreed that “this session was a valuable way to share my work,” and 77% responding that “networking with other presenters during this time was valuable,” but only 54% noted “I had a good number of poster visitors.” Of those responding to the survey, 62% were first time participants and the others indicated that they had participated before and are likely to do so again. A vast majority (77%) indicated that participation met their expectations and the others noted that participation met expectations but not to the full extent.
Suggestions were offered for improving the poster session and aspects related to SOT education efforts. One was to provide a time for the presenters to gather to continue to network after the poster session and the Undergraduate Subcommittee is making plans to do this at the New Orleans SOT Annual Meeting. In addition, respondents selected options for education levels at which they would like to volunteer. Leaders of Education Committee activities will contact these educators for involvement in SOT projects.
Do remember as the poster abstract deadline approaches on October 7, you may have good material to share as an education poster. We encourage you to submit an education abstract!