FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is AAUW?
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is the nation’s leading voice promoting equity and education for women and girls. Since our founding in 1881, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW’s Buffalo Branch is partnering with Praxair, WTS, Baxter, UB’s School of Engineering, and many others in Western New York to provide this opportunity. See the branch website for more information.
Who is invited?
Girls in grades 6 to 9 are invited, plus those in grades 10 to 12 for the On a Roll program, which ordinarily includes SAT prep and workshops. Adults are also invited. Students may already have an interest in science, technology, engineering, or math; or this may be a great way to open up new possibilities for a student. Students should be interested in learning and be ready to have fun for the day. There are also specially planned activities for parents, teachers, counselors, youth leaders, and other adults. Parents are not REQUIRED to attend, although they are encouraged to attend the adult sessions.
Important Safety Note: When the conference is held live on the UB North Campus, attendees may not wander around campus; attendees are restricted solely to buildings where assigned Tech Savvy activities are in progress and must follow the directions of all volunteer staff and workshop leaders.
Do all attendees have to pay?
Yes, all students and adults attending the conference must pre-register and pay the $10 attendance fee.
What food is provided?
When on the campus, a light breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided for all attendees. On the registration form please indicate any dietary restrictions (allergies, religious beliefs, etc).
Will I get a registration confirmation?
Reminder postcards will be mailed to all registrants the week preceding the conference. There will be no other confirmations sent out. However, registration checks will be deposited regularly as they are received, so you can check your bank account online.
Is there an extra charge for participating in the SAT prep test?
No, but the regular registration fee must be paid.
I’m a student. Why should I attend?
Math and science can be fun and interesting! This is a great chance to meet professionals– many fabulous women– who can share information on their careers.
Also, you’ll meet other young women who share your desire to change the world! At the end of the day, you’ll have knowledge and special prizes that will help you on your road to purpose!
I’m a student. How many workshops will I take? Will I attend my favorite workshop?
Girls in grades 6-9 will participate in two (2) tech savvy workshops plus (when on campus) the College Corner activities and a grade-level appropriate “Savvy Skills” workshop. Indicate your top choices for the tech savvy skills on the registration form. If your choices are full, we will place you in another exciting workshop. (We think all workshops may help you discover careers that you may not have considered before!) Be sure to indicate all choices and send your registration in before the due date. In the past, all students who registered by the due date received workshops that they had selected.
Please note that students must attend workshops at the times assigned– no switching. In order to be fair to all, it is not possible to accommodate entire groups in the same workshop at the same time. Requests for a specific workshop at the same time as a specific other attendee will not be honored. Remember, workshops are a great way to meet new friends!
In the College Corner, you’ll get a chance to gain admission to Tech Savvy University. You’ll also earn a raffle ticket for a chance to win a free computer. Most importantly, you will meet college representatives and learn what’s needed to apply to college!
We also have Savvy Skills workshops, where you will have fun learning some skills like negotiating, presenting your opinion, interviewing, and critical thinking! Cool!
I’m a parent, grandparent, or guardian. Why should I attend?
We all know that women definitely can succeed in technology-related careers. However, society often sends messages of “pink careers,” discouraging girls from math and science. The adult workshops will offer the chance to discuss these issues and provide practical information and resources on helping your child to be Tech Savvy! You’ll leave the day with more tools to help your child succeed! (Please note that parents do not attend student workshops. Student workshops are designed to provide a learning opportunity for small groups.) There are also fabulous prizes for adults.
I’m a teacher, counselor, youth leader, or other interested adult. Why should I attend?
You already know that it takes a village…. Join us for the day. Besides the opportunity to discuss the issue with other professionals and parents, you’ll leave with valuable research, new perspective, and resources to help you promote equitable education for all students.
I don’t have transportation to UB’s North Campus.
Shuttle service is provided by the University at Buffalo from the South Campus to the North Campus. (Also, parking is provided at both campuses.) Shuttles will leave the South Campus at 8:10 am and will return from the North Campus at approximately 5:00 pm. For planning purposes, please indicate on your registration if you plan to take the shuttle. In order to discourage no-shows, the $1 fee guarantees your shuttle registration and will be returned when you arrive at the event via the shuttle.
How do I register or get more information?
There are two ways to provide registration information. You may complete the registration form on-line. Alternately, you may register by completing the form in the brochure, detach, and mail. Either way, you must mail in your online confirmation or the hand-completed form along with the $10 fee to the address listed. If you register online, you must send the form and payment via mail within one week of your online registration or your registration will be cancelled. There is no office where the forms can be “dropped off.”
Online registration is preferred in order to increase accuracy of information.
The conference is limited to 800 participants; so please register early. For info before the week of the conference, please call AAUW and leave a voice mail at (716) 559-3037. Calls will be returned as soon as possible. Please note that this is a voice mail system. We cannot return calls on the day before and day of the conference. Before the day of the conference, you can also email us at aauwTSWNY@cs.com. Leaving a voicemail or sending an email does NOT count as a registration!
What is the registration fee & when is the registration deadline?
The registration fee is $10 and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
A limited number of scholarships are available in cases of financial need. If financial need exists, please send a letter indicating the need for a scholarship along with your registration form. Registrations must be received for processing before the conference. The number of registrations often exceeds the number of students accepted, so register early. The registration deadlines for individuals and for groups are noted on the registration forms. Online registration ends midnight of the deadline and paper registrations must be postmarked by the deadline.
I registered, but forgot to print the form to sign and send in with payment!! What can I do?
No worries – just use the generic permission form on the website – list the names of the registrants, have a responsible adult sign it, and send it in with the payment.
How will I learn about next year’s program?
All attendees are automatically placed on the mailing list to receive brochures the following year. If you have not attended in the past but would like to receive the brochure next year, please send an email with the subject “TS mailing list” and including your mailing address to aauwTSWNY@cs.com.