The Girls in Ocean Science Conference takes place annually in September with one session open to middle school (6th-8th grades) students and two sessions open to high school (9th-12th grades) students. This year, the middle school conference will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The high school conference will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
The fee to attend the conference is $30. Students can apply for scholarships to cover the attendance fee on the registration form. The conference is an in-person event taking place in Santa Barbara.
During the conference, students conduct field activities and gain insight into real-world research happening in the Santa Barbara region. Participants begin their adventure by boarding a research vessel where they then rotate through five research stations, each led by female scientists and educators (read scientist and educator bios here). Previous labs include blue whales, blue skies, and ocean soundscapes; ROV eelgrass observations; shark tracking; abalone restoration; and plankton ID, harmful algal blooms, and microplastics. Students leave the experience inspired and empowered to envision a future in marine science.
Upcoming Events
