Women in Science Conference RM705 / C01

This is the first instance of this event we are running and the day will be a celebration of women and diversity in science education.  In an attempt to redress the gender balance, speakers and workshop hosts will all be female, although the conference can be attended by all genders. The conference is free to state schools and hosted in the fantastic location of the Rutherford Appleton Visitors Centre near Didcot, Oxfordshire.

We have a keynote from the fabulous Mary McIntyre, an astronomer who regularly writes for the BBC Sky at Night magazine and is passionate about astronomy outreach  https://marymcintyreastronomy.co.uk/ 

Her talk is on “A history of Women in Astronomy” – throughout history, astronomy has been very male dominated, but this fascinating talk tells the tale of some of the trailblazing women who worked to change this and discusses some of the challenges women have faced historically and still face today, plus how they overcame them.

More workshops for the conference are still being added; sessions confirmed so far include the power of talking and why students stay silent, options for tours of sections of RAL, how to get more girls to do physics A level,  promoting science capital and many more.  It is suitable for primary and secondary teachers and technicians and will also include a marketplace of stands and stalls from local STEM organisations with a chance to network and make links with the wide range of STEM support available for schools.