Science Online (SO): Connected will be a fully virtual experience on November 2nd
Agenda
3 AM PT | 6 AM ET | 11 AM CET
Session Title: Welcome!
Speaker: Michael Bodekaer Jensen, Labster
Session duration: 15 minutes
3:15 AM PT | 6:15 AM ET | 11:15 AM CET
Session Title: Screening: Picture a Scientist
Documentary film
Film Description:
We are honored to present Picture a Scientist, a groundbreaking, full-length documentary film, at this year’s Science Online (SO): Connected Conference. The film exposes the systemic gender inequalities of the past and provides crucial evidence that diversity and inclusion in science is essential and necessary for change and a sustainable future. Award-winning directors Ian Cheney and Sharon Shattuck aim to spark conversations about how to expose these critical issues and hope this will encourage others to recognize their own biases and be the change. The film brings to light the experiences of real life scientists such as Nancy Hopkins, Raychelle Burks, Jane Willenbring and many more. The powerful stories of a molecular biologist, chemist and geologist, respectively, illustrates the discrimination and harassment women face in the sciences. In order to move the needle forward for STEM equity, we must understand and learn from the past – for the sake of our future. We are proud to virtually screen this film and hope it ignites reflection, sparks conversations and promotes change!
Session duration: 97 minutes
4:45 AM PT | 7:45 AM ET | 12:45 PM CET
Session Title: Gaining Mastery through Virtual Simulations and VR: the Evolution of Interactive Blended Learning
Session Description:
In this session, Dr. Donald Wlodkowic will discuss why he chose Labster, how he has implemented simulations in his cell biology courses and what the technology is doing to help students master course materials. He will also take you on an exploration into the future of interactive blended learning realities, including the use of virtual reality in undergraduate courses, in this thought-provoking discussion with Labster’s Joshua Pyne.
Speaker: Dr. Donald Wlodkowic, RMIT
Session duration: 30 minutes
5:15 AM PT | 8:15 AM ET | 1:15 PM CET
Session Title: Labster in the Classroom: A Practical Way to Acquire Theoretical Knowledge
Session Description:
Andres Garzon, Associate Professor at Universidad Pablo de Olavide, presents how he uses virtual science simulations in the classroom to help students acquire theoretical knowledge and close knowledge gaps. He will also discuss the importance of establishing a learning strategy and encouraging student collaboration when creating your course work. This is an opportunity for instructors to participate in a Q&A about best practices.
Speaker: Dr. Andres Garzon, Universidad Pablo de Olavide
Session duration: 30 minutes
5:45 AM PT | 8:45 AM ET | 1:45 PM CET
Session Title: Panel Discussion: Holistic Lab Learning: Building Transferable Skills and Confidence in Students
Session Description:
There is no replacement for in-lab learning, but Guest Panelists Drs. Victoria Allen-Baume from University of Essex and Therese Uniacke-Lowe from University College Cork are emphatic that providing virtual labs as a supplement to live lab work gives students a holistic learning experience and contributes to course preparedness and live lab confidence. In this panel, you will hear how virtual lab simulations are being used in their science programs to enhance learning and why they will continue to leverage the technology to empower students with transferable skills.
Speakers: Victoria Allen-Baume, University of Essex and Therese Uniacke Lowe, University College Coak
Session duration: 45 minutes
7 AM PT | 10 AM ET | 3 PM CET
Título de la sesión: Clases presenciales + Laboratorios virtuales = Mejor aprendizaje
Descripción de la sesión:
¿Cómo formar científicos de alto nivel con menos recursos? Para aquellas escuelas donde los recursos físicos son escasos, pero los intelectuales abundan; enseñar con laboratorios virtuales es un gran desafío. En esta sesión la Dra. Luz Angélica Hernández Carbajal nos contará acerca de su experiencia de enseñar con Labster en un colegio de educación media superior público en México y como las herramientas digitales son pilares fundamentales para promover la igualdad y diversidad en STEM.
Oradora: Dra. Luz Angélica Hernández Carbajal, UNAM Mexico
Duración de la sesión: 30 minutes
*en español
7:30 AM PT | 10:30 AM ET | 3:30 PM CET
Session Title: Hands-On Workshop: Behind the Scences of a Virtual Lab
Session Description:
Have you ever wondered if – and how – virtual labs could increase learning outcomes in your courses? This is your chance to go behind-the-scenes of the Gram Stain simulation and explore the ins and outs of the immersive Labster world as you play along with one of its the creators, Dr. Sarah Jayne Boulton.
Speakers: Chris Conner, Labster and Sarah Jayne Boulton, Labster
Session duration: 30 minutes
8 AM PT | 11 AM ET | 4 PM CET
Session Title: Encouraging Students to See Themselves in STEM Careers
Session Description:
What factors can you, as an instructor, control when it comes to helping students develop and strengthen their STEM identities? Dr. Lori Banks of Bates College is passionate about positioning students for success in STEM. In this discussion, Dr. Banks will share her multifaceted approach, including how her incoming students are using virtual lab simulations to bridge knowledge gaps, prepare for course success and, most importantly, feed their STEM curiosity.
Speaker: Dr. Lori Banks, Bates College
Session duration: 30 minutes
8:30 AM PT | 11:30 AM ET | 4:30 PM CET
Session Title: Exploring the intersection of STEM and Innovation
Session Description:
Today, 90% of patent holders are male, and 95% are white or Asian. Join Dr. Stephanie Couch, Executive Director of the Lemelson-MIT Program, as she shares the organization’s strategy for bringing diversity into the world of those who patent. Partnering with Biogen and Labster, Lemelson-MIT supports “Biotech in Action”, a virtual program that gives high school students from low-income and diverse schools the opportunity to meet and interact with Biogen and MIT employees, obtain an inside view of a biotech company and university, and “touch” a lab for the first time via Labster.
Speaker: Dr. Stephanie Couch, Lemelson-MIT Program
Session duration: 30 minutes
9 AM PT | 12 PM ET | 5 PM CET
Session Title: The Empowered University: A 50-Year Perspective on Broadening Participation in Science and Engineering
Session Description:
Don’t miss your chance to see Dr. Freeman Hrabowski as he reflects on a career dedicated to increasing diversity in STEM. He will discuss how empowered universities can create innovative cultures that promote success for all students. Dr. Hrabowski, President of UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County), is an educator, mathematician, author, and speaker. He is the co-founder, along with Robert Meyerhoff, of the renowned Meyerhoff Scholars program at UMBC which is a national model for increasing diversity in STEM and counts a former US Surgeon General and the developer of a Covid vaccine among its 1100 alumni.
Speaker: Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, UMBC
Session duration: 45 minutes
10 AM PT | 1 PM ET | 6 PM CET
Session Title: Leading, teaching and learning using virtual simulations post COVID-19
Session Description:
Teaching in a post-pandemic world means reflecting on lessons learned and continuing to evolve our methodologies. Dr. Dave Cassie is an advocate for the inclusion of more diverse methods of teaching chemistry within chemistry course programs among universities within the Caribbean and will share his research about the integration of new tools, including virtual lab simulations, and e-leadership theory to support STEM diversity for students. He will discuss how such tools play a role in both online and in-person instruction, why they are here to stay and how faculty and administrators can work together to achieve equity in STEM education.
Speaker: Dr. Dave Cassie, University of the Southern Caribbean
Session duration: 30 minutes
10:30 AM PT | 1:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM CET
Session Title: Implementing Virtual Lab Simulations: Research and Rubric at Thomas Jefferson University
Session Description:
Dr. Manuela Tripepi is an assistant professor of biology and microbiology at Thomas Jefferson University. In addition to her many research accomplishments, she is also focused on creating outcome-based lab activities for learning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tripepi conducted a study about the viability of remote simulation activities for learning and found that implementing flexible opportunities was well received by students. Moreover, the flexibility of online simulation can help level the playing field for non-traditional students and encourage all students to develop curiosity and best lab practices. In this session, Dr. Tripepi will share her insights and show you how she uses Labster virtual lab simulations in her courses.
Speaker: Dr. Manuela Tripepi, Thomas Jefferson University
Session duration: 30 minutes
11 AM PT | 2 PM ET | 7 PM CET
Session Title: Community College Panel: The Importance of Multilingual Resources in the STEM Classroom
Session Description:
Science is a universally complex vernacular. For those who speak English as a second language, the challenge to understand and share ideas in the STEM classroom is even more challenging. In this session, Professors Selinda Martinez and Juliana Kelley of Laredo College discuss their teaching experiences and why multilingual resources for community college students and faculty will be an important factor in encouraging diversity in STEM.
Speakers: Selinda Martinez, Laredo College and Juliana Kelley, Laredo College
Session duration: 45 minutes
11:45 AM PT | 2:45 PM ET | 7:45 PM CET
Session Title: Introducing UbiSim: the World’s First VR Nursing Training Platform
Session Description:
Take a VIP tour of the UbiSim platform in this first-ever presentation to the Labster community. Gauthier Dubruel, co-founder of UbiSim, demonstrates how UbiSim gives nursing students a true-to-life, highly immersive clinical training experience. Inside the UbiSim virtual reality world, students interact with lifelike patients and develop clinical reasoning and decision making skills beyond what they could achieve with physical simulation equipment. With the freedom to customize pre-built clinical scenarios, every nursing educator can teach using a simulation tailored to their unique needs. Nursing institutions can use UbiSim to scale their capacity and increase enrollments with richer, more realistic clinical training experiences that prepare nursing students for the NCLEX.
Speaker: Gauthier Dubruel, UbiSim
Session duration: 20 minutes
12:05 PM PT | 3:05 PM ET | 8:05 PM CET
Session Title: Virtual Simulation: Impact on Clinical Judgement
Session Description:
The need for new graduate nurses to be better prepared in areas of clinical judgment and prioritization has never been more evident than it is now. New graduates are expected to quickly synthesize significant amounts of data, make decisions about the care of their clients, and collaborate with a large number of various members of the interprofessional team. Dr. Kool will describe her research on how virtual simulation impacts the perceived clinical judgment of students, improves their clinical reasoning skills and supports the development of high-level skills needed in the profession of nursing.
Speaker: Dr. Amber Kool, Arizona College of Nursing
Session duration: 30 minutes
12:35 PM PT | 3:35 PM ET | 8:35 PM CET
Session Title: High School Panel: Reversing Learning Loss in High School STEM with Science Simulations
Session Description:
STEM is facing increased pressures from under-resourced classrooms, teachers spread thin, and a pandemic that tested students like never before. These factors created a legacy of learning loss, but some teachers are overcoming the odds to reverse the trend . Hear directly from teachers in a panel on how Labster has transformed their classrooms and given their students a second wind in the race to lead the future of STEM.
Speakers: Diane Sigalas, Livingston High School and Gini Ennis, Savannah Chatham E-Learning Academy
Session duration: 45 minutes
1:20 PM PT | 4:20 PM ET | 9:20 PM CET
Session Title: The New Labster: How We’re Innovating for Today and Tomorrow
Session Description:
Whether you’re new to Labster or already familiar with our virtual simulations and supplemental resources, this session will give you a preview of what’s new at Labster now and what’s coming in the future. Meet the faces behind the latest product updates and innovations, and discover how we’re working toward STEM equity by building products even more students can access, learn from and get inspired by.
Speakers: Mark Fuller, Labster
Session duration: 30 minutes
1:50 PM PT | 4:50 PM ET | 9:50 PM CET
Session Title: Screening: Picture a Scientist
Documentary film
Film Description:
We are honored to present Picture a Scientist, a groundbreaking, full-length documentary film, at this year’s Science Online (SO): Connected Conference. The film exposes the systemic gender inequalities of the past and provides crucial evidence that diversity and inclusion in science is essential and necessary for change and a sustainable future. Award-winning directors Ian Cheney and Sharon Shattuck aim to spark conversations about how to expose these critical issues and hope this will encourage others to recognize their own biases and be the change. The film brings to light the experiences of real life scientists such as Nancy Hopkins, Raychelle Burks, Jane Willenbring and many more. The powerful stories of a molecular biologist, chemist and geologist, respectively, illustrates the discrimination and harassment women face in the sciences. In order to move the needle forward for STEM equity, we must understand and learn from the past – for the sake of our future. We are proud to virtually screen this film and hope it ignites reflection, sparks conversations and promotes change!
Session duration: 97 minutes
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Please fill out the form to get access to all conference sessions. All registrants will receive recordings after the event.

9 AM PT | 12 PM ET | 5 PM CET
Keynote
The Empowered University:
A 50-Year Perspective on Broadening Participation in Science and Engineering
Don’t miss your chance to see Dr. Freeman Hrabowski as he reflects on a career dedicated to increasing diversity in STEM. He will discuss how empowered universities can create innovative cultures that promote success for all students. Dr. Hrabowski, President of UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County), is an educator, mathematician, author, and speaker. He is the co-founder, along with Robert Meyerhoff, of the renowned Meyerhoff Scholars program at UMBC which is a national model for increasing diversity in STEM and counts a former US Surgeon General and the developer of a Covid vaccine among its 1100 alumni.
2021 Speakers

First Screening: 3:15 AM PT | 6:15 AM ET | 11:15 AM CET
Second Screening: 1:45 PM PT | 4:45 PM ET | 9:45 PM CET
Picture A Scientist
Tribeca Film Festival Official Selection
“Quietly devastating.”
“Sweeping in scope yet intimately compelling.”
We are honored to present Picture a Scientist, a groundbreaking, full-length documentary film, at this year’s Science Online (SO): Connected Conference. The film brings to light the experiences of real life scientists such as Nancy Hopkins, Raychelle Burks, Jane Willenbring and many more.
The powerful stories of a molecular biologist, chemist and geologist, respectively, illustrates the discrimination and harassment women face in the sciences. In order to move the needle forward for STEM equity, we must understand and learn from the past – for the sake of our future. We are proud to virtually screen this film and hope it ignites reflection, sparks conversations and promotes change!
About Science Online (SO): Connected
Connect with the People & Ideas Shaping the Future of Science Education
SO (Science Online): Connected is Labster’s second annual conference for STEM educators, administrators, and thought leaders. Held virtually on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021, this year’s theme is how to increase innovation by promoting equity in STEM education.
We invite you to join us and your fellow educators to get SO: Connected to the people and ideas shaping the future of science education.
Claim Your Free All Access Pass
Please fill out the form to get access to all conference sessions. All registrants will receive recordings after the event.