About Women in Science

Women in Science History
  The National Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is a community of people who share a common interest in the sciences. AWIS serves to connect, support, and promote women in science and is dedicated to achieving equality and full participation for women in science, technology, engineering, and math.
  The AWIS-Austin chapter (commonly known as WIS) is a division of the National AWIS. WIS was created in the spring of 1996 and operated as a registered UT student organization ever since. Our organization is composed primarily of undergraduate female students with diverse interests in the sciences. WIS is dedicated to the advancement of scientific knowledge, with primary emphasis on women's issues.

What WIS Offers
   WIS provides a community for female students in the Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. It is a great resource for meeting fellow students as well as science faculty and staff. These relationships can prove invaluable later in life. WIS is a window to all the activities that the College of Natural Sciences has to offer and is a great way to become an involved student on campus. WIS offers a wide range of activities ranging from academic to informal. Best of all, it's fun! As a WIS member you can choose to be a member of the national organization as well. The benefits of becoming a national member include complimentary subscription to AWIS magazine, internship, scholarship and job opportunities.

Women in Science Past and Present Activities
   The core activity of WIS is our general meetings. Meetings provide a chance for all members to come together informally for informative speakers, business, refreshments, and fun. We invite speakers from all areas of science to talk about their education, careers, and home-life. Past meeting topics have included "Evolution in a Test Tube", "How to Balance Work and Family Life", "Finding Galaxies Using Radio Light", and "Securing Summer Internships". In addition, we have a variety of socials, fundraisers, volunteer events, and field trips each semester. Past volunteer activities have included Take a Girl to College Day, Austin Science Fun Day, juding for the Texas State Science & Engineering Fair, etc. Past fundraisers have included collecting money for St. Jude's Hospital and selling bracelets and balloon animals at the 40 Acres Fest. WIS has also taken a tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and gone hiking at Enchanted Rock. WIS also holds workshops on a variety of subjects, some of which have been self defense and yoga.
   WIS is also involved with two ongoing projects, the Women In Science Lunch Series and WISDOM (Women In Science Developing Opportunities in Mentoring). Each semester, WIS organizes 3 lunches as a part of the WIS Lunch Series. The lunches are free and open to everyone. Our first lunch this September will be a "Meet Your Professors" lunch. This will be a great opportunity to get to know some of your Natural Sciences professors in an informal atmosphere, and get a free lunch too!  Check the Meetings & Activities page for upcoming events. In 1999, WIS helped organize a mentoring program to pair UT undergraduate women with faculty or graduate women mentors. We have an undergraduate WISDOM Representative to represent WIS in the administration of the program. 
Lastly, we offer yearly scholarships.

For more information about WIS and the different officer positions check out the WIS Constitution.