We will have a social dinner at Jackie O's Taproom, a local craft brewery founded by two OU alumni. Catering will be provided by Jackie O's Uptown Brewery. 

After a week of lectures and hands-on activities, participants will have the opportunity to learn about each other's research. Graduate students and postdocs will present a 5-minute "chalk talk" to share their work, and undergraduate students are encouraged to do the same.

Guideline for chalk talks: 

• Keep it simple: These talks are brief (5 minutes + 2 minutes for questions), so focus on accessibility rather than detail. 

• Limit jargon and acronyms: Avoid technical terms or acronyms unless they're explained. Assume the audience is unfamiliar with specific concepts.

• Limit math: It’s okay to write a few things down, but keep equations to a minimum. Too many equations can distract from the main message.

• Use visuals: Pictures, diagrams, or simple illustrations are encouraged to help explain concepts. A white board will be provided for your use.

• Structure:

1. Big Picture: Set the context for your research. Why does it matter? What are the important questions and/or broader implications?

2. Research Focus: What specific problem are you trying to solve or understand?

3. Methods: Briefly explain how you're tackling the problem. What tools, approaches, or techniques are you using, but keep it simple and accessible.

4. Future Directions: Share what comes next. What are the next steps in your research, and how might your findings impact the field or broader applications?

In addition to learning about each other’s research, we will have a mentoring Q&A session where junior participants can ask senior researchers for advice. Below are some questions to help spark ideas:

Undergraduates to Graduate Students:

• How did you go about finding and choosing your advisor?

• What was the most surprising thing you encountered in graduate school?

• How did you determine if graduate school was the right choice for you?

• What are some important things to consider when selecting a program or advisor?

• If you could give your past self advice before starting grad school, what would it be?

• What’s the biggest difference between being an undergrad and a grad student?

• How did you find research opportunities as an undergrad, and how did they help you?

• What are some common mistakes applicants make when applying to grad school?

• What’s a typical day or week like for a graduate student?

• What’s the most common misconception people have about graduate school?

• Is it normal to struggle during your first year of graduate school?

Graduate Students to Senior Graduate Students/Postdocs:

• How did your research interests evolve throughout your graduate career?

• How do you stay motivated during long-term research projects?

• How do you go about building relationships with potential collaborators?

• How do you balance research and teaching responsibilities?

• How do you cope with imposter syndrome or self-doubt in academia?

• What’s the biggest difference between early and late-stage PhD research?

• What do you wish you had done differently during your PhD?

• How do you handle setbacks like failed experiments or rejected papers?

• How did you manage expectations from your advisor?

• What strategies do you use to give effective research presentations?

• How do you overcome writer’s block?

• What types of conferences should I consider attending?

Postdocs to Senior Postdocs/Permanent Researchers:

• What factors should I consider when choosing a postdoc position?

• How do you balance independence with seeking guidance from mentors?

• How did you build a professional network that helped your career progression?

• How do you identify and apply for grants and fellowships?

• How do you manage uncertainty about future job prospects?

• What is the faculty job interview process like?

• How do you manage multiple projects simultaneously?

• How often do you referee for journals?

• What do you wish you had done differently during your postdoc?

• How do you choose which journal to submit your work to?

Join us for a tour of the observatory, where we’ll explore its facilities and get an up-close look at the telescope. On this night, the sun will set at 8:37 PM and the moon will rise at 12:49 AM. If the skies are clear, we’ll have the opportunity to observe celestial objects through the telescope.

If you need a ride, please indicate so on the sign‑up sheet at the registration table. If you can offer a ride, please note how many additional seats are available on that sheet. There will be a group walk to the OU Observatory—we will meet at 8:30 PM at Adams Hall.