This award supports the Sixth Annual Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics, a two-day conference for undergraduate women in physics. The conference takes place January 15-16, 2011 simultaneously at the University of Southern California (USC), Purdue University, the North Carolina Research Triangle (NCRT), and MIT. The conference has two overarching goals. The first is to give undergraduate women the resources, motivation, and confidence to apply to graduate school and to successfully complete a Ph.D. in physics or a related discipline. The second is to make undergraduate women in physics more aware of the wide range of career opportunities available to them. Regional conferences are held simultaneously in order to maximize the student attendance by minimizing cross- country travel requirements, to increase the excitement of the participants in the joint venture, and to allow the interactive simulcast of a keynote address. The conference goals are achieved by providing a series of inspiring research talks by women physicists, panel discussions on graduate school and physics careers, student presentation sessions, and ample opportunity for networking and informal mentoring. The success of these goals is measured by surveys given to students before and after the conference, as well as by longitudinal studies following the students' post-graduation paths and comparing them with female student cohorts who did not attend the conference.
PROJECT OUTCOME REPORT The 2nd annual Southeast Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics, hosted by the Physics Department at NC State University in Raleigh, NC on January 14-16, 2011. The conference was held simultaneously with three other locations across the United States: Purdue University, the University of Southern California, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The conference website is listed at www.physics.ncsu.edu/scuwp/ Sixty five physics majors (comprising physics, physics education, applied physics, astronomy, and astrophysics) were joined by students from related/double majors such as mathematics, engineering, economics, applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, and computer science. The students represented a broad range of geographic and ethnic backgrounds. They attended a wide range of colleges and universities from across the Southeast. There were six invited talks and one video simulcast shared by all four conferences. 16 students presented posters and 18 presented talks. There were also two panel discussions and tours of local research laboratories. Prior to the conference, 71% of the students selected 3 (or lower) out of 5, in answer to the question "How familiar are you now with current research in physics?". In the post-conference survey, 85% answered with a 4 or 5. Most students (39) have a male mentor, and do not have access to either a Women in Science (33) or Women in Physics (37) program at their home institution. The outcomes of the conference are best expressed by the students themselves. Here are some excerpts: "What career options in physics do you now know about?" – I have learnt that a degree in Physics could possibly get you anywhere if you take enough risk. – this conference helped me solidify my plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career as a physics teacher – medicine, computer science, professor, travel for research – industry, government, research, teaching – the physics of the stock market – NASA, CERN, teacher, start a company, research – industry, laboratories, technical and pharmaceutical firms, teaching (university, secondary) – Finance. Military – Medical Physics. Biophysics. Law and Business. Engineer. Journalism. Chemistry. – Working in a company. – Now a thousand! – Nuclear scientist – Oceanography – Astrophysics – Bio chemistry – Naval training research. "What were the best aspects of the conference?" – I liked how we were able to ask the panel of grad students so many questions. – It was inspirational and gave me more ideas about what I might do in the future. – Being able to talk directly with people about their own experiences and their personal love for physics. – I liked hearing from successful Physicist and finding out that their careers took many turns and its ok if you don’t know exactly what to do as long as you try. – The panel for both careers and grad school that were filled with experienced women was extremely useful and inspiring.... Just being able to eat and talk to people at lunch and dinner was born enjoyable and extremely beneficial to my self confidence. – Being able to meet people and the opportunity to talk to grad students and understand their perspectives. – I really enjoyed listening to all the different career paths and efforts towards the empowerment of women in the Sciences. – The best aspect of the conference was meeting other women professionals and students in Physics and related fields. Networking opportunities were great (Panel, SCUWP facilitators, professionals) Meeting people. I love hearing how women handle having family as Physicist. – I enjoyed the encouragement that was offered for women and even those of us who aren’t sure of what we want to do after our undergraduate work. – I think I benefitted a lot from the faculty talks, knowing something about their personal experiences their research and their suggestions for us. – The talks were inspiring and motivating. I definitely have some role models in Physics now. – The best aspects were the research talks (both students and not) and the graduate panel. – Having the chance to speak with female Physicists who have already been through similar challenges. – Hearing alternatives to the generic career track. – For me, being able to socialize with women in Physics who have the same thought and "crazy" habits as you. Having the "I am not alone" moment. – The ability to spend time with others in my field and learn more about options available to me. – Having faculty/students women who have followed different paths talk about the various opportunities for women in Physics. – This conference for women in Physics has to be one of the most relevant conference that I have attended, because it opened up to me the possibilities that exist in physics for women. It also showed me that I was not the only person who did not take a traditional path. –
