Keynote Speaker
Madison Jilek
Ph.D. Student at University of Colorado-Boulder
Madison grew up in the Black Hills, graduating from Spearfish High School in 2014 before earning her Bachelor's Degree at Black Hills State University (BHSU) in 2018. At BHSU, she studied Physical Science and Chemistry and spent over 2500 hours doing scientific research on campus, at the BHSU Underground Campus at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (Lead, SD), and at Brookhaven National Lab (New York).
She is now working towards her Doctorate in Chemical Physics at the University of Colorado-Boulder where she is funded by the National Science Foundation and the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Her Ph.D. research focuses on the fundamental photophysical properties of quantum dots and other nanomaterials, with the ultimate goal of learning how to use novel nano-scale materials for solar energy harvesting. When she is not in the lab, she loves getting outside with her husband, their one-year-old daughter, and their dog.
This year we are inviting 7th-grade girls to the Women in Science Day.
Teachers should expect to bring a chaperone for every twenty students attending. Lunch will be provided for all teachers and chaperones.
Please contact Jill.Trimble@BHSU.edu to register for the Women in Science Conference.
Participating Schools
Belle Fourche, SD Middle School
Bison, SD
Black Hills Christian Academy Spearfish, SD
Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, SD Middle School
Harding County, SD
Hulett, WY Middle School
Lead-Deadwood, SD Middle School
Meade County, SD Rural Schools
Moorcroft, WY Middle School
Newcastle, WY Middle School
Newell, SD
Sage Valley Junior High Gillette, WY
Spearfish, SD Middle School
Stagebarn Middle School - Summerset, SD
Sturgis, SD Williams Middle School
Sundance, WY Middle School
Todd County, SD Lakeview Elementary
Todd County, SD Middle School
Twin Spruce Junior High Gillette, WY
Upton, WY Middle School
Volunteers are needed on the day of the conference to help with setup and to lead groups around campus. Campus maps will be provided, and no scientific expertise is necessary. Lunch will be provided.
For anyone interested in volunteering with the event, we are seeking help with the following:
- chaperone student groups to/from their sessions
- provide information and assistance at help desks/cafeteria
- setup/take down the planetarium
Please contact Katrina.Jensen@BHSU.edu for more information or to volunteer.