This event is aimed at Meadowcreek High School student interested in physics and other STEM fields. This is part of a conference for undergraduate women. While the topic of this conference is women in STEM fields, all genders are welcome to attend. The event will be Saturday, January 16th. A continental breakfast will be provided at 8:30am and lunch will be provided at 12:30pm on Georgia Tech Campus.
We hope that student will:
- Learn about college opportunities
- Play with hands-on demonstrations
- Learn about some cool areas of physics
- Meet many current students at Georgia Institute of Technology as well as students at other colleges in the south east
- Participate in a workshop of a variety of topics (listed below)
If there are any questions, parents and students are welcome to email cuwip@physics.gatech.edu in English or Spanish.
Saturday, January 16th :
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 8:30am-9:00am | Breakfast and Demos: Singing Tesla Coil and Ruben’s board demos | Clough Commons |
| 9:00am-9:45am | Plenary Talk #1: Meg Urry – Statistics on Women in Physics | Clough Commons Auditorium |
| 10:00am-11:00am | Concurrent Workshops | Clough Commons Classrooms |
| 11:00am-11:30am | Coffee break | |
| 11:30am-12:30pm | Panel #2: “College Declassified: Applying to colleges, life tips and more” | |
| 12:30pm-1:50pm | Lunch with Georgia Tech Physics Students. | Clough Commons |
| 2:00pm-3:00pm | Keynote Speaker: Ginger Kerrick Q&A | Clough Commons Auditorium |
| 3:00pm-3:30pm | Group Photo and Break | |
| 3:30pm-4:30pm | Meet with Nicole Cabrera Salazar, Equity in STEM advocate |
We will be offering Spark, Spin and Freeze as one of the workshops hosted by the Georgia Tech Society of Physics Students Chapter.
Spark, Spin, and Freeze is a physics demonstration routine that shows off physics in a very tangible way. As the name suggests, it is split into three parts. In Spark, we use simple metal rods and a cloth to demonstrate static electric repulsion and attraction. Then we turn on the Van Der Graaf generator to have some harmless fun shocking a few volunteers and the Tesla coil to demonstrate the power of electricity. In Spin, we show the often unintuitive effects of conservation of angular momentum and precession with a bicycle wheel, a few hand weights, and a rotatable stool. In Freeze, we use liquid nitrogen to deflate, freeze, and shatter balloons and to make instant, edible ice cream.
Astrophysics. Students will learn the about this area of research and the skills required to pursue research in this area.
Being a Leader: Starting a WiP Group, Leadership Skills, Mentoring. Come listen to to some of the students and faculty that have been the leaders and promoters of Women in Physics. We will have students who have started WIP groups, students that have been SPS officers, and faculty in leadership positions.
Biophysics/Physics of Living Systems. Students will learn the about this area of research and the skills required to pursue research in this area.
Careers in Physics. In this workshop, physics students will learn how to identify skills that are valued in the workplace, describe skills in ways that are meaningful to potential employers, find job opportunities for which they are qualified, and stand out as a candidate. Materials center on helping students identify and articulate the knowledge and skills that stem from a physics background, with resources for building an effective resume, interviewing, networking, and other aspects of the job search all geared specifically for physics students. The Careers Toolbox Workshop is the result of an NSF-funded Career Pathways research effort by the American Institute of Physics to understand and disseminate effective practices for preparing undergraduate physics students to enter the STEM workforce, and will be led by the Society of Physics Students. Although the workshop is aimed at undergraduate physics students, many elements will be useful for physics graduate students as well.
Depression and Anxiety: Dealing with Metal Health While in School. Mental Health is an important topic that is often not discussed in the open, but affects many students. This will be facilitated by one of our councilors from the Georgia Tech Counseling Center, Dr. Merideth Ray.
Dealing with discrimination and sexual harassment. Unfortunately, many women and other underrepresented minorities face discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace and school. In the news there has been stories of well-known faculty making sexist comments and harassment. Learn what you can do to help yourself and others if you find yourself in such a position.
How Men Can Support Women in Physics. Lack of women in STEM fields is not just a women’s issue! Listen to men who have been supporters of women in physics and learn how you can also step up to support women.
Impostor Syndrome is collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist even in face of information that indicates that the opposite is true. It is experienced internally as chronic self-doubt, and feelings of intellectual fraudulence. Many women and minorities often experience this in work and schools. This workshop will discuss what impostor syndrome is and how we can combat it.
Medical Physics Topical Group. Students will learn the about this area of research and the skills required to pursue research in this area.
Personal Life and Career Management. Balancing personal life, whether family, friends or even self, and career can be very difficult. It is important to know where the balance lies for you so that not any one of these dominate your life. Listen to people who have figured it out or are currently figuring it out and learn some tips on how to keep yourself well-balanced students.
Race and Ethnicity Roundtable. Lack of representation is a problem in STEM not only for gender but also race. When those areas are added together, there is even less representation. Listen and talk with non-white men and women who will talk about their experiences in STEM.
