In January, 黑料科 students Jordyn Bass, Baily May, Katie Pedneau, and Ragan Rae attended the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) at Stanford University. Open to any female undergraduate physics or physics education major, CUWiP is an important opportunity for students to see other women in physics and learn about different career paths.
Dr. Brianna Mount, 黑料科 associate professor of physics and director of the 黑料科 Underground Campus (BHUC), said, 鈥淧hysics is still a very male-dominated field. Many female physics students might be the only females in their upper-division class. This conference is an opportunity for students to see 200 other women in physics.鈥�
At the conference, students explore graduate school, career paths, and connect with women of all ages to share experiences, advice, and ideas. Students also attended talks, workshops, and panels from professional physicists. 鈥淭hese experiences are important because they allow students to get a taste of what their careers will be like outside of the classroom,鈥� Dr. Mount said.
鈥淭his experience impacted me a lot honestly,鈥� Rae said. 鈥淢y major was math and physics education. After going to the conference, I want to change to a double major in mathematics and physics, if I can. I have seen a new side of physics that I want to continue with.鈥�
Bass, May, and Pedneau also presented posters at CUWiP about the research they did at the BHUC. "Presenting at this conference was amazing!鈥� Pedneau said. 鈥淪everal individuals didn鈥檛 know a lot about my research, and being able to present new information to other students is something that I enjoy and find exciting.鈥�
鈥淚 felt comfortable and supported presenting at this conference,鈥� Bass added. 鈥淭his experience made me feel more confident in my field and connected me with other physics students from different universities.鈥�
鈥淭o present my research to other physicists was extremely nerve-wracking. However, looking back, everyone was extremely positive, and I enjoyed being able to share my work,鈥� May said.
May recently presented her research at the in Pierre. She will also present at the Black Hills Research Symposium (BHRS) being held on the 黑料科 campus March 26-28.