HOW TO RUN A WOMEN IN

SCIENCE CONFERENCE

A DAY AT THE WOMEN IN SCIENCE CONFERENCE

“This conference is very enjoyable

and a great learning

experience to meet successful

women in science fields”

PHILOSOPHYWe believe that middle school students should

be exposed to STEM career opportunities at this critical point in their education, when

many life decisions are made. Our conference provides a unique opportunity to explore

careers and meet inspiring professionals in STEM fields who model a variety of career

paths and levels of academic achievement. Our conference reinforces the idea that success in

a STEM career is achievable for all and requires a strong educational foundation, perseverance, and curiosity. Our conference also showcases

STEM professionals as role models and as people who have fun learning on the job while helping others solve problems. Participation in our conference encourages students to explore

and understand the variety of STEM opportunities and pathways to success before ruling them out as possibilities for their own

lives.

GOALS•Expose middle school students tocareers in science and engineering•Create an opportunity for students to converse with local professionals who engage in science/engineering through their careers•Inspire middle school students todo their best in school•Introduce middle school students to a professional environment

OBJECTIVES Provide workshops for middle school students

to use science/engineering skills in a real world setting

Provide opportunity for informal conversation with female role models

Provide an inspirational keynote speaker who faced and overcame life experiences, challenges and obstacles

Provide a setting that is professional and welcoming

TIMELINE 6 MONTHS OUTPartnership Developments

SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN STEM REPLICATIONS Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical School

District Blackstone-Millville Regional High School Douglas Public Schools Grafton Public Schools Hopedale Public Schools Mendon-Upton Regional School District Millbury Public Schools Northbridge Public Schools Sutton Public Schools Uxbridge Public Schools Touchstone Community School Shrewsbury Public Schools Westborough Public Schools Fitchburg Public Schools Leominster Public Schools Lunenburg Public Schools

TIMELINE 6 MONTHS OUTPOTENTIAL IDEAS FOR FUNDERS

Who Might

Fund This in Your Region?

TIMELINE 3 MONTHS OUTRECRUIT PRESENTERS, SPEAKERS, TEACHERS

“I always enjoy

speaking to the girls—to

motivate them and

teach them about my

field.”

“Incredible Experiments in Chemistry ”

MARINE BIOLOGY: “Meet Cool Critters in

the Ocean”

TIMELINE 2 MONTHS OUT“TAGLINES” FOR WORKSHOPS

PUBLIC HEALTH: Let’s Get Physical: How

Doctors Assess Your Health

NURSING: “The Many Faces of Today’s

Nurse”

ANIMAL CARE: “What it Takes to Care for Animals”

SCIENCE TEACHING: “The Inside Scoop on Teaching Science”

MEETING THE “COOL CRITTERS OF THE OCEAN”

ENGINEERING - CHALLENGE: HIGH RISE

SAMPLE REGISTRATION FORMThe Women in Science Conference is presented by

The EcoTarium and the University of Massachusetts Medical School on:SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 20089:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

(Bus pick-up at 8:30 a.m.) (Snow date April 12, 2008)

REGISTRATION FORMDue by March 7, 2008Please PRINT clearly…

NAME: ______________________________________________________SCHOOL: ______________________________________________________

Please select four workshops which you would most like to attend from the list

1 for first, 2 for second, 3 for third, and 4 for fourth - 4 choices max _____ ANIMAL CARE: “What it Takes to Care for Animals”_____ ASTRONOMY: "What's in the Sky?"_____ CHEMISTRY: “Incredible Experiments in Chemistry”_____ CRIMINOLOGY: “How to Solve Crimes”_____ PUBLIC HEALTH: “How to Keep Healthy”_____ MECHANICAL ENGINEERING: “Helping People with Disabilities Live

Fuller Lives”_____ ENGINEERING DESIGN: “How to Solve Real World Problems”_____ MARINE BIOLOGY: “Life in the Ocean”_____ NURSING: “Many Ways to be a Nurse”_____ SCIENCE TEACHING: “The Inside Scoop on Teaching Science”

We will try our best to match you with your selections!

SAMPLE LUNCH MENU

Salad Baked Ziti Cookies Lemonade or Soda in Pitchers

Presentation is Important! Tablecloth and linens Stemmed Glassware Flowers Waiters/Waitresses

“I felt like I was in a

5-Star Restaurant

”

TIMELINE 1 MONTH OUTCONFIRMATIONS WITH FACILITIES, CATERING, SPEAKERS

“I never knew how many girls were

interested in science careers”

TIMELINE 2 WEEKS OUTPROGRAM, SCHEDULE OF DAY,ORGANIZE STUDENT DATA INTO DATABASE

Morning Workshops at the EcoTarium

9:00 Welcome Dr. Deborah Harmon-Hines& Introduction Vice Chancellor,

University of 1st Floor Massachusetts Medical School

9:35–10:10 Workshop #110:15–10:50 Workshop #210:55–11:30 Workshop #3

11:30 Buses Depart for UMass Medical School

Afternoon Events at the University of Massachusetts Medical School12:00 Luncheon

Lazare Research Building 12:45 Welcome Sandy Mayrand

& Introduction

Keynote Dr. Yvonne SpicerSpeaker

1:45 Group Activity & Farewell

2:30 Buses Depart

TIMELINE 1 WEEK OUTNAMETAGS, CERTIFICATES, MAP, CONFIRMATIONS

Each sticker indicates a certain workshop corresponding with the map

Sample “no photo” nametag

SAMPLE CERTIFICATE

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCETHIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT

Student NameStudent Namehas attended the 12th Annual

WOMEN IN SCIENCE CONFERENCEApril 5, 2008

TIMELINE DAYS BEFORE AND DAY OFLast minute confirmations and HAVE FUN!

“Yvonne is the best speaker ever, she has

made me keep my head up and be

me” “I had so much fun I can't even describe

it.”

“The conference gives me a ‘boost of energy’ to bring

back to my job.  The girls are excellent!”

“You can accomplish

anything if you put your mind

to it”

“Women in Science is a wonderful experience.

You learn so much in so little time. It really

directs you to try a job in the field of science,

tech or math. The speakers were

inspirational! And if you really had a passion for science you'd LOVE it!”

“Women in Science showed me that now

I know I can do whatever I set my mind to and I am happy to be me. I

am going to try my best, but I will give

my best.”

“I never knew science can be the

most important subject in many

people's lives and how many careers

are out there. Science is the

best!”