This conference was established to facilitate dissemination and exchange of hypothesis-based research on interventions and initiatives that broaden participation in science and engineering research careers. The conference is designed to create a dialogue among behavioral/social science and education researchers, evaluators, and faculty in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields who participate in intervention programs. Graduate students in these fields are strongly encouraged to attend. Workshops, sessions, and posters will communicate effective strategies from successful STEM intervention programs, present results from empirical research studies, and synthesize the translation of research findings into practice on STEM learning, undergraduate research, graduate education, and student retention.

Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center

5701 Marinelli Road
Bethesda, MD 20852
Website

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

Friday, March 13, 2009	Abstract submission
Friday, March 13, 2009	Travel grant applications
Monday, April 6, 2009	Early-bird registration rate
Thursday, April 16, 2009	Hotel room rate
Monday, April 20, 2009	Online registration ends

• Research scholars and graduate students interested in research that explores the issues related to increasing the numbers of PhD-educated STEM professionals and the efficacy of intervention programs designed to broaden participation.  Conference focus is on all STEM disciplines, psychology, education, career development, sociology, and economics.
• Institutional leaders, faculty and staff who develop and direct programs and initiatives to encourage students and faculty, at all levels, to pursue STEM research careers.  Programs may be campus-wide or based in the disciplines (i.e., biomedical sciences, natural or physical sciences, engineering) and may include specific  populations (e,g., underrepresented minorities, low income students, female faculty) or be open to all students and faculty.
• Program directors and leaders from federal agencies, professional associations, and foundations that support or develop programs aimed at building and shaping the next generation of scientists.
• Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and others interested in these issues.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND

• Learn about how program design, project evaluation, and intervention research inform each other.
• Hear about programs that have been shown to be effective at broadening participation, and the research that supports and explains why they work.
• Discuss new research results and projects with scholars in the field.
• Network with other program directors, project evaluators, researchers, and agency representatives all concerned with policies and practices that shape STEM education and careers.

Table space will be provided for organizations that wish to share programs and other materials with attendees during the Friday evening poster session and reception (5:15-7:30 pm). The conference committee especially wishes to encourage:

• professional organizations with intervention programs and programs that broaden participation and provide career opportunities
• foundations and funding agencies that support intervention programs and research
• evaluation consultants
• peer-reviewed journals seeking articles on interventions programs and research
• other non-profit and for-profit organizations who view themselves as partners in the effort to increase the number of PhD STEM professionals

The exhibitor fee is $50, in addition to the regular or one-day registration fee.

For additional information, please contact Linda Blockus at LBlockus@aaas.org, 202-326-6766.