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The Amaz!ng Meeting 7 Paper Presentations and Workshops
Paper Presentations
At the JREF, one of our goals is to promote rational education. Our series of paper presentations and critical thinking workshops are a staple of The Amaz!ng Meetings, and we're proud to once again offer an outstanding selection of audience-participation events given by experts in their fields.

Paper presentations are given by TAM attendees who have done skeptical research or outreach on their own. These presentations give them a chance to connect to the skeptical community, and give you a chance to see what grassroots efforts are being made to educate the public. Many an up-and-coming mover and shaker in the field has been first recognized when they gave a paper presentation at a previous TAM! Papers are accepted by application only; the deadline for submission is May 1, and finalists will be notified by June 5. Papers are presented at TAM 7 on Sunday, July 12, from 8:30 - 12:00, and admission is free. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Ray Hall for his tireless efforts in organizing the paper presentations every year as well.
Workshops
The interactive workshops are held on Thursday, July 9, at the times listed below. All workshops are $45 ($55 if you register after May 1). You can find more information about the workshop speakers on the bio page.

 

12:00PM - 2:00PM Joe Nickell: Investigative Techniques
The Center for Inquiry's own Dr. Joe Nickell will give a dynamite workshop on the techniques you need to investigate everything from UFO encounters to haunted houses. Joe is a recognized leader in this field, and you should definitely take advantage of his wisdom and experience.
12:00PM - 2:00PM D. J. Grothe & Jamy Ian Swiss: Science, Magic and Skepticism: A Natural Relationship
Science, magic, and skepticism have been linked for centuries, from 16th-century literature, to Harry Houdini’s role as a paranormal investigator and debunker, and James Randi’s Million Dollar Challenge. Jamy Ian Swiss and D.J. Grothe will explore the historical and philosophical interconnections, consider the ethical conflicts between magicians and psychics, and examine how the conjuring arts continue to inform the skeptical movement – while including some entertaining and mystifying demonstrations along the way! D. J. Grothe is vice president at the Center for Inquiry and host of the podcast, “Point of Inquiry.” Jamy Ian Swiss is a renowned magician, mentalist, and skeptical activist.

2:30PM - 4:30PM Tim Farley: Intro to Skepticism/Skeptic Web
Tim Farley, webmaster of What's The Harm, has developed what can be called Skepticism 101: an introductory course in critical thinking. If you don't know your ex post facto from your a posteriori, this workshop is for you. You may enter doubtful, but you'll leave very doubtful. And you'll know exactly why.

2:30PM - 4:30PM Chip Denman & Alison Smith: The Million Dollar Challenge: Testing and Protocols
Chip Denman is a statistician at the University of Maryland, and Alison Smith is the JREF
staff person charged with overseeing applications for the Million Dollar Challenge. In this workshop, Chip will show you how the challenge protocols are set so that an applicant can't beat the rules by random chance. Alison will then set up a simulated challenge, with the audience participating in developing the rules and protocols for test. You'll get insight and inside knowledge of the challenge which will prepare you well for the actual preliminary test we will hold on Sunday, July 12.