(Block 3) 3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Panel (15 mins): Differences in Language and Culture throughout Latin America

Hosted by: Laura Perez Alvarez, Interpreter and Translator, ASIA Inc.

Workshop description: As a medical and legal interpreter in NE Ohio, I have faced complications communicating with Spanish speaking clients because each Spanish speaking country uses different words to adress the same thing. I also work as a substitute teacher and have noticed each school I've worked for, that Spanish is taught in a different way in each school (some having a more neutral approach for it than others depending on the teacher). This is a situation that has many ramifications because language is only one of the cultural faces of our communities, and people who is not latin or hispanic tend to group us as equals, without adressing our differences and understanding each Latin Country has their own identity. It is important to show we are a multicultural, diverse and rich community that has so many possibilities to grow because of it's richness. We don't eat, dance or sing the same,we share the language(with our own way of using each word) we share the love for our families, and most of all, the history in this country, but we have amazing cultures that need to be adressed, we are diverse, we are the same but not equals

Panel (15 mins): Latinx Student Expereince at PWI's (Predominatley White Institutions)

Hosted by: Alex Silverio, Academic Advisor II, Kent State University

Workshop description: Current Kent State Latinx students will share their experiences at PWI's. Kent State University is a PWI (Primarily White Institution). As the university strives to become more diverse, what steps are being taken to ensure that Latino/a/e students feel welcome, heard, and supported? This will be an interactive panel in which undergraduate and graduate Latino/a/e students currently attending KSU share the positive and negative experiences that they have encountered, or are currently living, at KSU. To illustrate the varied experiences of these students, we will touch on topics such as support systems, what has helped or not helped foster a sense of connection to the university, and what the KSU administration can do to promote a healthy environment where the Latino/a/e community can thrive.

AstroLatinX: Nurturing Future Latino/Hispanic Scientists in Columbus, OH

Hosted by: Laura Lopez, Associate Professor of Astronomy, The Ohio State University

Panelists: Elvira Crz-Cruz, Sebastian Lopez, Jennifer Rodriguez

Workshop Description: This panel session will discuss the AstroLatinX grassroots organization established by astronomy Ph.D. students at The Ohio State University and the underrepresentation of the Hispanic/Latino population in the space sciences and STEM fields generally. This initiative brings astronomy to the Hispanic/Latino K-12 student population in Columbus, OH, through demonstrations and planetarium shows. This session will offer insights on how educators and early-career scientists can start an organization at their own institution to nurture Hispanic/Latino scientists by creating educational materials in Spanish and English.