2022 Women in Science Conference

Tuesday, October 4, 2022 - 9:00am - 2:00pm

We are excited to announce a LIVE and IN-PERSON Women in Science Conference to be held on Tuesday, October 4, (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City! The hands-on conference is designed to get girls in grades 6-12 excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); it also shows students that STEM careers are exciting, attainable, and rewarding through immersive activities and interactive sessions.

On Sept. 1 at 10 a.m., teachers can register themselves and up to 25 of their students to attend the conference at http://www.okepscor.org/2022-women-science-conference-teacherstudent-registration-form (max. of 2 teachers/25 students per school). Space is limited! Registration will close when maximum occupancy is reached. See below for registration details.

Update 9/9/22: Teacher/student registration has closed.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The free, one-day conference will immerse more than 1,600 students and teachers (grades 6-12) in fun and engaging sessions designed especially for this event by Science Museum Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Museum Network STEM specialists. Students will participate in interactive science and engineering experiences designed to promote critical thinking skills, science exploration, and self-confidence. Attendees will also have access to the many amazing experiences that Science Museum Oklahoma offers.

College and university representatives from Oklahoma institutions will host dozens of interactive hands-on science and recruitment booths, as well. During an interactive panel session, students will learn firsthand about the many science-related professions available. Women in STEM-related fields such as engineering, zoology, and medicine will talk to students about their respective careers. These role models will answer questions like:

What do you really do every day, and what is the best part of your job?
Can an average math student be successful in your field?
What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were 13?
Does it really matter if I take that science class?

During a special session for educators, teachers will have the opportunity to learn four different hands-on science activities that can be easily scaled to their grade level. Attendees will receive curriculum and science kits to implement the activities in their classrooms.

The 2022 Women in Science Conference is made possible due to support from the National Science Foundation, National Science Foundation's Oklahoma Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (OK NSF EPSCoR), Science Museum Oklahoma, Oklahoma Museum Network, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and Oklahoma IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (OK-INBRE).

HOW TEACHERS & STUDENTS CAN ATTEND

The event is free, but registration is required, and space is limited. Conference registration will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 1, at http://www.okepscor.org/2022-women-science-conference-teacherstudent-registration-form. The event has filled to capacity in as little as three hours in past years, so I encourage you to make plans to register as soon as registration opens so you and your students don’t miss out! (Please note: The online form will not be “live” until 9/1 @ 10 a.m.)

Conference times: Check-in begins @ 8 a.m. on Tues., Oct. 4; sessions are held from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The event is for students in grades 6-12
Limit: 25 students/2 adults per school
2 adults are required for groups with more than 12 students
Registration is free but required
Registration opens at 10 a.m. on Sept. 1; closes when full
Students’ and teachers' t-shirt sizes and demographic information ARE REQUIRED at the time of registration; students' names will not be submitted
Registered guests will receive the following items the day of the event at no cost: conference t-shirt & backpack, a breakfast snack, box lunch/beverage, & a full day of conference activities. Admission to Science Museum Oklahoma is also included the day of the event, as well as access to Planetarium and Science Live shows. Transportation costs are NOT provided.

<<< Teacher/Student Registration has Closed >>>

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY FOR ORGANIZATIONS & BUSINESSES

Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR is excited to announce a LIVE and IN-PERSON Women in Science Conference to be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City! More than 1,500 students and 150 teachers (grades 6-12) from over 60 schools across Oklahoma are expected. Vendors will also have access to hundreds of regular visitors to Science Museum Oklahoma. This is a highly regarded, prestigious event; registration consistently fills to capacity within hours.

The Women in Science Conference offers an opportunity for organizations and businesses to share information about college and career STEM opportunities with conference participants and museum guests via the event's Hands-on Science and Recruitment Fair sessions (see timeline below). There is no cost to participate, but an application and approval process is required.

INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL BOOTH HOSTS

Space Availability

Space is limited! Booth applications will be accepted until August 15 or when maximum occupancy has been reached.

Hands-on STEM Activity Required

Every booth must include a ~ 3-minute hands-on STEM activity.
The activity must be engaging, safe, and appropriate for 6th-12th grade students.
Businesses/organizations are responsible for providing their activities/materials.

Career, Recruitment and/or Educational Information for Students

Career or educational information should be provided orally and via promotional/take-home materials to students.
Let students know how your activity relates to a career/life in the "real world" or how they can learn more (i.e. high school summer program, university degree, etc.).

Booth Details

All booths will be located on the 2^nd floor mezzanine of the museum.
One 8-ft. linen-covered table and 2 chairs are provided per booth. (Special/additional requests can be made on the registration application and may be granted when possible and necessary.)
Recruitment/career and hands-on STEM activities must be combined into one booth; organizations cannot register them as two separate booths.
Application approval decisions will be issued within 14 days of application in most cases.
Applications submitted by institutions/organizations/businesses operating within Oklahoma will receive precedence over those submitted by entities operating outside the state.

Booth Attendants

The person submitting your booth application form will have the opportunity to register themselves for the event at the bottom of the booth application form; everyone else attending the event must personally register online via a separate registration page (link to be provided with your booth confirmation).
Attendants' registration is free, and lunch is provided for all registered participants.
A minimum of two attendants is suggested due to students accessing the session continually throughout the day.

Event Timeframe for Booth Hosts

Vendor set-up: Day before the event (10/3/22) from 4-6 p.m. OR morning of the event (10/4/22) from 7-8:00 a.m.
Schools will arrive at the museum @ 8-9 a.m.
The conference will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - sessions will run throughout the day, with no break for lunch, so be sure to bring adequate staff.
Students will be broken up into "color groups" for the day; groups will be sorted by grade level as much as possible. Each color group will be led to your session at timed intervals by a conference Group Leader.
Booths may be taken down at 2 p.m. (no early take-downs are allowed).

Click here to submit a booth application: http://www.okepscor.org/booth-application-form-2022-women-science-conference.

Click here to register if you will be attending the event in support of a pre-registered Hands-on Science & Recruitment Fair booth or if you have been approved as a volunteer for the event by Science Museum Oklahoma.