MSA's Megabooth (Booth #130) provides many services for meeting attendees. The Cyber Cafe offers free internet access. While you're waiting for a terminal, you can examine copies of recent microscopy books, for both adult microscopists and children. Sample DVDs of meeting tutorials are available for review. You can post a resume or job opening, or sign up for Tuesday's exhibitor tutorials. Free copies of Microscopy Today are available. You can get information on MSA membership and MSA's technologist certification and undergraduate scholarship programs. Project MICRO, MSA's precollege outreach program and the Technologist Forum both have information desks.
Each year publishers donate new titles to the MSA Book Display. The books are divided into three main sections: biological sciences, physical sciences and new titles. A list of the titles is available at the booth and on the MSA website. Books are not sold from the display but publisher information is provided.
The Certification Board provides a widely recognized program for examining and certifying the competence of electron microscope technologists in the biological sciences. MSA certification is a widely respected attainment and often is advantageous in matters of employment classification, relocation, and advancement. Details are available at the booth.
MSA maintains a DVD Library consisting of hundreds of titles on various practical, theoretical, and historical aspects of microscopy. New titles are added annually, many based on tutorial presentations at the annual meeting. DVDs may be purchased online via MSA's website, and samples are available for viewing at the booth.
Exhibitor (Vendor) Tutorials are presented on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings after the commercial exhibits have closed for the day. They are very popular, and advance registration is required. A list of topics, signup sheets, and admission tickets are available at the Megabooth.
Applications for MSA Membership at the Regular, Sustaining (Corporate), and Student levels are available at the Megabooth. MSA officers are available to answer your questions about the society and its many member services.
Microscopy Today is owned by the Microscopy Society of America and it is published six times each year, alternating with MSA's peer-reviewed scientific journal, Microscopy and Microanalysis. Detailed instructions to authors and advertising information can be found at http://www.microscopy-today.com. You will find recent back issues of Microscopy Today at the MT desk, plus staff to answer your questions.
The Placement Office is a job listing service that functions year-round on the MSA website where employers can list job positions online for a fee. During M&M, employers are encouraged to post jobs free of charge. Employers have the option to send these job listings to the MSA Placement Office chair, or bring the posting to the meeting themselves. Also, available at the meeting only, prospective job seekers can post their resumes on the Placement Office bulletin board. Information can also be left at the booth to arrange for on site interviews.
Project MICRO (Microscopy In Curriculum—Research Outreach) is MSA's middle school educational outreach program. Its comprehensive collection of children's microscopy books is available for browsing, and both the MSA-sponsored manual, “Microscopic Explorations” and sample children's microscopes are on display. Advice is available on how to start an outreach in your local area. MICRO also has extensive information on MSA's website.
The Technologists' Forum (TF) is a committee dedicated to the professional growth and development of technologists within MSA. The Forum organizes a symposium, a special topics session, a roundtable discussion and a booth at the meeting. The TF booth is the place to stop to find out about the Forum's programming for the week, its business meetings, its award winners (including the times and locations of their presentations), to pick up member and vendor hints, tips and methods, view the member micrograph collection, and check the membership roster for updates. However, the most important reason to stop at the TF booth is to catch up with old friends, meet new ones and join the Forum. Membership to the Forum is free, and the booth at the M&M meeting is the primary venue for becoming a member. Extend your network and exchange information with a visit!
And do not forget It's a Family Affair! These are exciting sessions and tours designed to pique the scientific interest of children of all ages, including those of us that still consider ourselves children. Speakers will present a number of interesting images, ranging from insects to atoms and plants to metals, that will demonstrate the wide range of science. Hands-on activities and demonstrations will prove that science is fun! Following the presentation, children will have the opportunity to participate in a guided tour of the exhibit floor and view the microscopes and see how they work. It's a Family Affair has two sessions this year, meeting on Tuesday & Wednesday at 1:30 PM in the Santa Ana/Sandia room.
