The 2019 Women in Science Conference was held Tuesday, October 22, at Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. The free, one-day annual conference immersed more than 1,600 students (grades 6-12) from across the state, in numerous fun and exciting hands-on science activities, designed to allow girls to experience STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education and related career fields. Additionally, students were able to take advantage of the many interactive displays and learning opportunities that Science Museum Oklahoma offers. Representatives from universities and businesses across Oklahoma, and the nation participated in hosting more than 70 interactive STEM and recruitment booths. A collaborative panel session allowed students to learn about the many science-related professions available to them from women who are currently working in STEM-related career fields.
The Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) partnered with the 99’s International Organization of Women Pilots, providing a booth that represents women in aviation career fields. The 99’s promote women in piloting jobs in airlines, industry, pilot instruction, and government, as well as piloting for pleasure. This year, the 99’s are observing their 90th anniversary. In celebration, their International Director, Robin Hadfield produced an anniversary video.
The Conference allowed the MMAC to provide an interactive air traffic control simulation for students to participate. The simulator program, called PRACTICE (Practical Radar Airspace Control Training Interface Computer Exercise) which was developed by the FAA Academy, allowed students to experience the control and coordination of multiple aircraft in an airspace, while keeping them from "crashing." Over 50 girls from schools all across Oklahoma participated in the PRACTICE simulator. Only five girls earned a perfect score of 100% on the simulation exercise. Special congratulations to students from Union High School in Tulsa, Stillwater Junior High School, Tulsa Technology Center, Sayre High School, and Francis Tuttle – Biosciences and Medicine Academy for their outstanding scores! MMAC’s booth at the event provided an excellent opportunity for middle-school and high-school girls to better understand the impact they can have on the aviation industry.
The 2019 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 Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE). Learn more about the conference at 2019 Women in Science Conference.
