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”
PHILOSOPHY
We believe that middle school students should be
exposed to STEM career opportunities and meet
adults in the STEM professions at this critical
point in their education when many life
decisions are made. This opportunity should be
engaging, fun and connect the world of work to
the world of the middle school student.
GOALS
•Expose middle school students to
careers 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 to
do 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 OUT
Partnership 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 OUT
POTENTIAL IDEAS FOR FUNDERS,
DECIDE ON LOCATION
Who Might
Fund This
in Your
Region?
TIMELINE
3 MONTHS OUT
RECRUIT PRESENTERS, SPEAKERS, TEACHERS
“I always enjoy
speaking to the
girls—to
motivate them
and teach them
about my
field.”
PUBLIC HEALTH:
TIMELINE
Let’s Get Physical: How
2 MONTHS OUT Doctors Assess Your Health
“TAGLINES” FOR
“Incredible Experiments
in Chemistry ”
WORKSHOPS
SCIENCE TEACHING:
“The Inside Scoop on
Teaching Science”
ANIMAL CARE:
“What it Takes to Care for Animals”
NURSING:
“The Many Faces of Today’s Nurse”
MARINE BIOLOGY:
“Meet Cool Critters in
the Ocean”
MEETING THE “COOL CRITTERS
OF THE OCEAN”
ENGINEERING - CHALLENGE: HIGH RISE
SAMPLE REGISTRATION FORM
The Women in Science Conference is presented by
The EcoTarium and the University of Massachusetts Medical School on:
SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(Bus pick-up at 8:30 a.m.)
(Snow date April 12, 2008)
REGISTRATION FORM
Due by March 7, 2008
Please 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 OUT
CONFIRMATIONS WITH
FACILITIES, CATERING, SPEAKERS
“I never knew
how many girls
were interested
in science
careers”
TIMELINE
2 WEEKS OUT
PROGRAM, SCHEDULE OF DAY,
ORGANIZE STUDENT DATA INTO DATABASE
Morning Workshops at the EcoTarium
9:00
Welcome
& Introduction
1st Floor
9:35–10:10
10:15–10:50
10:55–11:30
Workshop #1
Workshop #2
Workshop #3
11:30
Dr. Deborah Harmon-Hines
Vice Chancellor, University of
Massachusetts Medical School
Buses Depart for UMass Medical School
Afternoon Events at the
University of Massachusetts Medical School
12:00
12:45
1:45
2:30
Luncheon
Lazare Research Building
Welcome
Sandy Mayrand
& Introduction
Keynote
Speaker
Group Activity &
Farewell
Buses Depart
Dr. Yvonne Spicer
TIMELINE
1 WEEK OUT
NAMETAGS, CERTIFICATES,
MAP, CONFIRMATIONS
Each sticker indicates a certain workshop
corresponding with the map
Sample “no photo” nametag
SAMPLE CERTIFICATE
CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
Student Name
has attended the 12th Annual
WOMEN IN SCIENCE CONFERENCE
April 5, 2008
TIMELINE
DAYS BEFORE AND DAY OF
Last minute confirmations and
HAVE FUN!
“Yvonne is the best
speaker ever, she
has made me keep
my head up and be
me”
“You can
accomplish
anything if you
put your mind to
it”
“The conference
gives me a ‘boost of
energy’ to bring
back to my job. The
girls are excellent!”
“I had so
much fun I
can't even
describe 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!”
FOR MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT
THIS OR IF YOU WOULD
LIKE A “HOW TO GUIDE
BOOK” PLEASE
CONTACT KARIN
LEBEAU AT
508-856-1529 OR
KARIN.LEBEAU@UMASSMED.EDU