Register HERE, preferably by September 24.

Instead of a traditional Language Science Day, this year we'll be hosting the UMD language science community at Planet Word, a new museum of language in downtown DC. For the first half you'll have the chance to meet and catch up with your fellow language scientists. After the museum closes to the public, we'll have the place to ourselves to explore the exhibits!

Location

Planet Word is located at 925 13th St NW, Washington, DC in the old Franklin School building. The entrance is around the corner on K St. You'll see the "Speaking Willow" sculpture.

Shuttle

The Language Science Center will be providing a one-way shuttle to the museum. If you registered to take the shuttle, please come to the bus pull-through behind H.J. Patterson Hall by 2pm. The last bus will leave by 2:15pm at the latest.

Metro

If you're coming from UMD, the easiest way to get there is to take the green/yellow line to the Mt Vernon Sq 7th St station, which is about a 12 minute walk from the museum. (Maybe plan to meet your friends at the College Park station at 2:20?) If you're coming from elsewhere, the easiest stop might be McPherson Square (5 minutes, blue/orange/silver) or Metro Center (7 minutes, red/blue/orange/silver).

Car

Street parking is limited near the museum, but there are several paid parking lots nearby.

Arrival

If you arrive in time for the first half of the event (3-5pm), you can head straight up to the 4th floor in the elevators just inside the door. If you're only coming to explore the museum, you can check in with your QR code at the front desk any time after 4pm. They should give you a sticker so you won't get kicked out when the museum closes at 5pm.

Schedule

3-5pm: Language science networking and discussion

Reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. Learn about new and ongoing research and education initiatives, including a new partnership with Planet Word. Coffee and light snacks will be served.

5-7pm: Explore Planet Word after hours

After the museum closes to the public at 5pm, we'll have free rein to explore the exhibits. Family and friends, including children, are welcome to join for this portion of the event. Please include tickets for them when you register so we can notify the museum of how many people to expect.

COVID precautions

The Planet Word space will give us plenty of room to spread out, including an outdoor balcony area. As per DC law, attendees will be required to wear a mask when indoors and not eating, drinking, or presenting. (See Planet Word's specific visitor guidelines here.) Please note that all UMD affiliates must be in compliance with the UMD vaccine or testing requirements in order to attend.