Thursday

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Mission Unstoppable - What do dinosaurs, human history, space, fuzzy creatures, earthquakes, and lizards have in common? The unstoppable team at Mission Unstoppable! Join moderator and show host Fig O’Reilly (systems engineer and founder, Space to Reach) and IF/THEN (www.ifthenshecan.org) guest stars Dr. Johanna Varner (pika biologist), Dr. Becca Peixotto (archaeologist), Dr. Wendy Bohon (earthquake geologist, IRIS), Myria Perez (paleontologist), and Dr. Earyn McGee (herpetologist, Find That Lizard) as they discuss this groundbreaking show that highlights the work of STEAM superstars. Learn mind-blowing facts, discover career pathways, get inspired to explore, and become unstoppable! Room 5AB

Thursday

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Futurists - We have all seen incredible technology and science in our beloved popular arts. Some of it even inspires real world innovations (still waiting for those flying cars!). Join a panel of experts to discuss the merger of popular arts and real STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) to see what has already made the leap from imagination to reality and what waits just over the horizon. Featuring IF/THEN Ambassadors (www.ifthenshecan.org) Dr. Erika Hamden (telescope builder, University of Arizona), Dr. Beata Mierzwa (molecular biologist), Dr. Becca Peixotto (archaeologist), Sydney Hamilton (rocket scientist), Gracie Ermi (computer scientist, Impact Observatory) and moderator Jasmine Sadler (CEO, STEAM Collaborative). Room Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Friday

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM The Science Behind The Expanse - The Expanse series has everything a good space saga needs: murder, society at the brink of war/civil unrest, a conspiracy and dangerous alien technology that could wipe out everyone. Representatives from The Fleet Science Center and IF/THEN Ambassadors Sydney Hamilton (rocket scientist), Jasmine Sadler (CEO, STEAM Collaborative), Dr. Davina Durgana (human rights statistician), and astrophysicist Dr. Erika Hamden explore the stories, the space science, and social science. Room 29AB

Friday

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM The Science of Jurassic World - In the Jurassic World movies, the dinosaurs get from the island park to our cities and wilderness. Scientists who are fans of the franchise explore the real-world science of bringing dinosaurs back to life and letting them loose. What do the films get right and wrong about these extinct creatures? What are the technical challenges and ethical considerations of re-creating and genetically tinkering with different species? What is the impact of introducing megafauna into different environments? Once dinos are loose, what rights do they have to survive? Does life really find a way? This team of scientists includes paleontologist Stuart Sumida (technical consultant, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Camp Cretaceous), herpetologist Earyn McGee (Find That Lizard), conservation biologist Sam Wynns, cell and developmental biologist Claire Meaders, paleontologist Gabriel Santos, and geneticist, ecologist, and sci-fi author J. Dianne Dotson (Questrison Saga). Moderated by James Floyd (podcast host, Star Warsologies; regular freelance contributor, Star Wars Insider magazine). Room Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Saturday

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM The Science of Spider-Man and the Multiverse - What is better than one Spider-Man? Multiple Spider-Mans, of course! Representatives from The Fleet Science Center and IF/THEN Ambassador Dr. Erika Hamden (astrophysicist) explore the stories of Spider-Man and the Multiverse and look at the science behind a lab accident creating a superhero and how many universes scientists think actually exist. Room 24ABC

Saturday

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Representation Matters - Changing STEAM Culture to Be a More Inclusive Space - We’ve all heard the statistics, but what can we actually do about the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, art, and math? Join moderator Ashley Gramby (Girls Who Code) for a chat with the changemakers that are creating a new landscape for everyone: Dr. Jaye Gardiner (cancer biologist, JKX Comics), Dr. Davina Durgana (human rights statistician, professor), Dr. Wendy Bohon (earthquake geologist, IRIS), Erika Kurt (superbug expert, Small World Initiative), and Bea Gandica (CEO, Nuevo Foundation). Room 5AB