2020 Women in Science Conference Announced

Tuesday, October 27, 2020 - 9:00am - 2:00pm

More than 1,600 students and teachers are expected to attend the 2020 Women in Science Conference on Tuesday, October 27, at Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City! The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with school check-in starting at 8 a.m. The conference is free, but registration is required and space is limited. 

Conference registration for students/teachers will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21st at http://www.okepscor.org/2020wisregistration. This highly regarded annual event has filled to capacity within mere hours for the past several years, so teachers are encouraged to register early.

Students and teachers will receive the following free with their registration: entrance to Science Museum Oklahoma the day of the event, conference t-shirt & backpack, light breakfast snack item, and box lunch with beverage. Transportation costs are NOT provided.

STUDENT/TEACHER REGISTRATION: OPENS MON., SEPT. 21, 10 AM

  • Registration is free, but required (Opens 10 a.m. Sept. 21; closes when full)
  • The event is for students in grades 6-12 & their teachers
  • Limit: 25 students/2 adults per school 
  • 2 adults required for groups with more than 12 students (2nd adult may be a bus driver, etc.)
  • Students' names are NOT required with this registration form; demographic info. & t-shirt sizes will be submitted next fall (before 10/1/20)

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The free, one-day conference will immerse more than 1,600 students and teachers (grades 6-12) in numerous fun and exciting hands-on science activities designed just for this event. 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?

Fun and engaging sessions designed especially for this event by Science Museum Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Museum Network will engage students in interactive science and engineering experiences designed to promote critical thinking skills, science exploration, and self-confidence. 

During a special session for educators, teachers will learn four 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 2020 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). 

BOOTH HOST INFORMATION:
OUTREACH & RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR ORGANIZATIONS & BUSINESSES
Submission Deadline: Aug. 1 or when maximum occupancy has been reached

The Women in Science Conference offers an opportunity for organizations and businesses to share information about college and career opportunities with conference participants and museum guests via the Hands-on Science and Recruitment Fair session. Booths must include a hands-on science experience to further engage students. The session runs all day, with set-up by 8 a.m. and take-down at 2 p.m. (see detailed schedule below). There is no cost to participate, but an application and approval process is required. Detailed booth requirements and information for potential booth hosts are as follows: 

1. Booth Space is Free, but Registration & Approval are Required 

  • Submit your application to participate via the link below.

2. Space Availability 

  • Space is limited! Registration closes August 1st or when maximum occupancy has been reached. 

3. 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. 

4. 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.).

5. Recruitment/Career and Hands-on STEM Activities Must be Combined into One Booth

  • Organizations cannot register two separate booths (hands-on science and recruitment).

6. One 8-ft. Linen-covered Table & 2 Chairs are Provided 

  • Special/additional requests may be made on the registration application and will be granted when possible and necessary.

7. Application Approval 

  • Decisions will be issued within two weeks of application submission in most cases.
  • Applications submitted by institutions/organizations/businesses operating within Oklahoma will receive precedence over those submitted by entities operating outside the state.

8. Booth Attendants

  • Your group’s individual booth attendants must register online after your booth has been confirmed; deadline to register is 8 a.m. on Oct. 1st. (A group code will be provided after your booth is confirmed, which they will use via the individual registration link/bottom of page.) Registration is free, but required.
  • A minimum of two attendants is suggested, due to students accessing the session continually throughout the day.

 

 

 

<The booth registration form will be opened soon!>

Event Time Frame for Vendors/Booth Hosts

  • Vendor set-up: Day before the event (10/26) 4-6 p.m. OR morning of the event (10/27) 7-8 a.m.
  • All vendors must be checked in and booths setup no later than 8 a.m. on 10/27
  • Schools will arrive at the museum @ 8-9 a.m. 
  • The conference will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    (Students & museum guests will visit Hands-on Science & Recruitment Fair booths throughout this time.)
  • Booths may be taken down at 2 p.m. (No early take-downs allowed!)

Individual Vendor/Volunteer Individual Registration: Deadline 10/1 @ 8 a.m.
After your group's booth has been confirmed, your booth attendants must individually register using the link below. The attendants will need your group's "Booth ID Code," which was provided in your booth's confirmation email. Attendants' individual registration is free, but required; breakfast pastries and box lunch w/beverage is provided for all registrants.

 

 

 

<Please note: Individual registration cannot be submitted without a Booth ID Code from an approved/finalized booth registration. Codes are provided within booth confirmation emails. Please email [email protected] if you need information on your group's code.>

HOTEL INFORMATION
There is not a designated conference hotel, but there are numerous high-quality/high-value hotels in close proximity to the venue. 

QUESTIONS
Contact Gina Miller, outreach coordinator, at [email protected] or 405.744.9964.