Girls and Science Will Take Center Stage at the Ocean Institute

Girl power and a love of science drive the popularity of the Ocean Institute’s 8th Girls in Ocean Science Teen Conferences (GIOS).

The girls take ownership of the conference from planning to final bow.

Shanette Grieve, director of program development, is the first to point out that this completely girl created, planned and run event.  “The Ocean Institute wants to be able to support girls in their pursuit of careers in science fields and in their
general interest in the sciences,” she said.

From its conception, the conference has been dedicated to inspiring young women to pursue degrees and careers in sciences.  The conferences include a series of hands-on workshops aboard the Ocean Institute research vessel—Sea Explorer—and in the Institute’s teaching labs.

The conference explores careers in areas such as ocean conservation, marine biology and ecology, oceanography, astrophysics and animal husbandry.

It’s become a sell-out event.  That’s why Dec. 11 is an important date.  Registration opens to the public online at the Ocean Institute website or by calling 949-496-2274. It’s not wise to put off the decision to attend--even if the two conferences are held in spring.  It’s not unusual to have the events sell out
one month early, drawing participants from Northern California and Arizona.

The word is out.  Girls with an interest in science want to attend.  The conference gives girls a chance to meet, interact and learn from 16 prominent female scientists from around the country.  Attendance is limited to 100 girls for each
of the GIOS conferences:  Feb. 9, 2013 for the Middle School Teen Conference and March 16 for the High School Teen Conference. 

Ocean Institute GIOS Lead Instructor Cheryl Bube sees positive responses on the girls’ conference evaluation forms that indicate “they are experiencing fewer barriers to entering a science field and some haven’t experienced any barriers at all over the past several years.”

The 15-member GIOS planning committee consists of girls from middle school, high school and college as well as local teachers and parents. 

The girls have the decision-making power.  They research the career fields, find and invite the speakers and run the show the day of the conference.  Among those expected to attend is a chemist from Aveda who will address the use of ocean resources in their products, a representative from the Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach and a scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey, who studies sea otters. 

Reservations are definitely required.  A scholarship is available for those who
cannot afford the $20 fee.  For further information or questions call or email Shanette Grieve, 949-496-2274, ext. 339 or sgrieve@ocean-institute.org