BHSU STUDENTS ATTEND CONFERENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN IN PHYSICS AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY

In January, Black Hills State University 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, BHSU associate professor of physics and director of the BHSU Underground Campus (BHUC), said, “Physics 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.”  

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. “These experiences are important because they allow students to get a taste of what their careers will be like outside of the classroom,” Dr. Mount said.  

“This experience impacted me a lot honestly,” Rae said. “My 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.” 

Bass, May, and Pedneau also presented posters at CUWiP about the research they did at the BHUC. "Presenting at this conference was amazing!” Pedneau said. “Several individuals didn’t know a lot about my research, and being able to present new information to other students is something that I enjoy and find exciting.” 

“I felt comfortable and supported presenting at this conference,” Bass added. “This experience made me feel more confident in my field and connected me with other physics students from different universities.” 

“To 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,” May said. 

May recently presented her research at the 2024 Legislative Session in Pierre. She will also present at the Black Hills Research Symposium (BHRS) being held on the BHSU campus March 26-28.