The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s (SBMM) Girls in Ocean Science Conference (GiOS), an educational event designed to connect girls in middle school and high school with leading female scientists and ocean advocates, will return, Sept. 27-28.

The two-day conference will be at the Maritime Museum:
●  Saturday, Sept. 27 for middle school
●  Sunday, Sept. 28 for high school

Six women wearing blue or white hard hats and orange life vests are aboard a boat as part of Girls in Ocean Science Conference that incudes field research at sea. (Courtesy photo)
The Girls in Ocean Science Conference includes field research at sea aboard a local boat. (Courtesy photo)

Through hands-on lab activities, real-world field research aboard a local vessel, and face-to-face mentorship with experts in marine biology, oceanography, shark ecology, and environmental science, students will explore career paths in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and develop a deeper understanding of their coastal environment, SBMM said.

“Representation matters,” said Penny Owens, conference co-chair and education & community outreach director at Santa Barbara Channelkeeper. “When girls meet women who share their stories and passions in science, it shows them they truly belong.”

Participants will rotate through science stations led by professionals from organizations including Coast Lab and Dewey Lab, Whale Safe, SeaSketch, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper.

“Girls in Ocean Science is a cornerstone of our educational outreach,” said Lis Perry, SBMM education director. “It’s about sparking curiosity, building confidence, and showing young women that there’s a place for them in ocean science.”

Scholarships are available and can be requested directly through the registration form.
Interested participants should register at sbmm.org/girls-in-ocean-science-conference/.

The Girls in Ocean Science Conference is sponsored by the Steinmetz Family Foundation.