The Skepchick Network is ready for Science! Photo by Fizzixrat

Once again, the Skepchick Network will be hosting SkepchickCON at CONvergence over July 4th weekend in Minneapolis. We will have four full days of panels about science, social justice, feminism and whole lot of geekery.

The Skepchicks will also be hosting smaller group discussions, activities and a low-stimulus party in the Skepchick Space Lab during the day and  (generally) louder and more crowded but still accessible parties in the evening.

Can’t go, but want to support us and get something awesome in the bargain? We have some great SkepchickCON Auctions going on right now, including one for a Furiosa belt crest by Ryan Consell, signed art prints by Amy Davis Roth and (for those who will be at the con) a cosplay photoshoot at CONvergence with Jamie Bernstein, among other things.

Join us! Or if you can’t join us in person, join us on the hashtag: #cvg2015. Often Skepchick panels end up using panel-specific hashtags, but we generally use the convention hashtag as well, so that should be your first stop.

Here’s my schedule for the con.  I’ll be talking about all manner of science, Marvel geekery, art and dystopian media, and in between I’ll be costuming, hanging out with awesome geeks and trying to catch all of the other fabulous panels on the full schedule.

How Good Science Can Make a Movie Better
Thursday, July 2nd – 8:30 – 9:30pm – Doubletree Atrium 4
At what point is suspension of disbelief not a good enough reason to mess up the science? What movies have good examples of getting the science right, and how does this make the movie better?
Panelists: Jennifer Ouellette, Renate Fiora, Sean Sullivan, Raychelle Burks, Emily Finke

Monster Madness
Thursday, July 2, 10:00 – 11:00pm – Doubletree Atrium 6
Who will be victorious in a post-apocalyptic tournament for monster domination? We’ll pit zombies vs. vampires, aliens vs. mutants, and more in head-to-head debates. The audience will choose the winner of each round and ultimately the victor.
Panelists:Brianne Bilyeu, Emily Finke, Raychelle Burks (mod), Jennifer Ouellette, Rebecca Watson

Marvel Movie Round-Up
Friday July 3 12:30 – 1:30pm – Doubletree Atrium 6
Since this time last year, we’ve seen talking raccoons, killer robots, the Scarlet Witch, and announcements for the films up through 2019! Join us for an hour of pure geekery on Marvel’s latest offerings and speculation about their future.
Panelists: John Seavey, Emily Finke, Dan Wallace, Romeo Azar, Christopher Jones

Art After the Apocalypse Friday July 3, 2:00 – 3:00pm – Doubletree Atrium 3
A review of the role of artists in apocalyptic fiction and a speculative journey into the value and nature of art at the dusk of humankind.
Panelists: Beth Voigt, Ryan Consell, Celia Yost, Emily Finke

Science vs. Religion in Dystopia
Friday July 3, 2015 5:00 – 6:00pm – Doubletree Atrium 4
Authors like Philip Pullman, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien have often pitted religion against science, blatantly or through symbolism. How do these authors tilt their respective playing fields? How do their dystopian portrayals of the “other side” compare?
Panelists: PZ Myers, Heina Dadabhoy, Emily Finke, Cassandra Phoenix, Jairus Durnett

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2
Saturday July 4, 2015 5:00 – 6:00pm Doubletree Atrium 7
Ward’s in jail, Coulson’s losing it, Skye’s got daddy issues, Fitz has brain damage, and Simmons is deep undercover. And that’s in Episode 1! Join us for an hour of discussing Season Two of Marvel’s spy drama.
Panelists: Daren Johnson, Emily Finke, Marty Farley, Josie Browning, Cetius d’Raven

Cult of Talent
Saturday July 4, 2015 8:30pm – 9:30pm – Doubletree Edina
Join Mad Art Lab in a discussion about how the language of genius and talent discourages people from trying new things and undercuts the effort and time involved in developing artistic skill.
Panelists:Emily Finke, Ryan Consell (mod), Celia Yost, Beth Voigt, Amy Roth

Diversity in Dystopian Creators
Sunday July 5, 2015 9:30 – 10:30am – Doubletree Atrium 2
We have a diversity of dystopian characters, but still little diversity of creators. Beyond Octavia Butler, where is the next generation of POC/PWD/GLBTQ creators and how can we as fans promote them?
Panelists: Emily Finke, Jennifer Cross

Dystopian Planet
Sunday July 5, 2015 2:00pm – 3:00pm – Doubletree Plaza 1
How many ways can we make the world unlivable? Without clean water, air, and land. people suffer and societies can collapse. Climate change poses enormous threats. We’ll examine fictional accounts and the real threats we face from environmental harm.
Panelists:Benny Vimes, Jamie Bernstein, Emily Finke, Stephanie Zvan (mod), Maggie Koerth-Baker