Elaina Hamilton

Elaina Hamilton has been volunteering with Soonercon since 2016. In 2018 and 2019 she was the Charity Coordinator along with James Smith and Michael Dean. She soon found her favorite part of programming was Children's Programming. Elaina was the Assistant Director of Children's Programming and is now the Head of Children's Programming for Soonercon 33. Through her work with Soonercon, Elaina has played a key roll in developing engaging STEAM activities for children, while also building strong skills in team leadership, program planning, and creating enriching experiences for young attendees.


Her youngest son Nicholas, now 14, also pitches in with Children's Programming as an assistant and content contributor for this year's show.  Elaina also volunteers and helps out with her son's Science Olympiad Team.

Elaina's best friend, Jennifer Samson, was the driving force to get Elaina involved with Soonercon, along with her dad Brian Scoles, Sherry Scoles, and Shana Wiessner.

She enjoys reading, especially the Dune books by Frank Herbert and the expanded Duniverse books written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. She has been married to Dale Hamilton for 28 years. Besides their sons, they host two dogs, two birds, and one cat. 

Follow Elaina Hamilton online at

1:00 PM | Location: Noble

Paintbrush Rocket Ships

Come decorate a rocket ship! Rocket ships have been decorated to represent their purpose, inspiration, and mission. Modern designs incorporate functionality with visual appeal. Brand your ship with personality and imagination to encourage a future generation of space exploration.

Moderator: Elaina Hamilton

Panelists: Elaina Hamilton

2:00 PM | Location: Noble

The Static Field Workshop

Come make tinfoil hats with us and learn about Michael Faraday and Faraday cages and what they do. Be zany, be silly but let’s see who can make the silliest tinfoil hat! We might also learn a thing or 2 about Nikolai Tesla and how he and Faraday worked together.

Moderator: Elaina Hamilton

Panelists: Elaina Hamilton

6:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Crimson Meeting Room

Disney Sing-Along: A Magical Musical Journey

Grab your crown, cape, or enchanted objects -- it's time to sing your heart out! Join us for a fun-filled sing-along featuring all your favorite Disney tunes. Whether you're belting out classics like "A Whole New World" or "Be Our Guest," or jamming to the latest hits, this panel is all about celebrating the magic of Disney through music. Come relive the magic with fellow fans in a joyous, no-holds-barred musical experience!

Moderator: Elaina Hamilton

Panelists: Elaina Hamilton

10:00 AM | Location: Sooner A

Green Flags & Red Flags in Sci-Fi

Not all sci-fi is created equal! In this panel, our experts take turns sharing the red flags that immediately turn them off in novels, TV shows, and movies -- plot holes, lazy world-building, or clichés we've all seen too many times. But it's not all doom and gloom! We'll also highlight the green flags that make sci-fi truly shine: unique concepts, strong character development, and mind-bending ideas that keep us coming back for more. Join us for a lively discussion on what makes -- or breaks -- a great sci-fi story!

Moderator: Phillip Drayer Duncan

Panelists: Charles Dane Clark, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Elaina Hamilton, C.C. Caldwell

12:00 PM | Location: Noble

UFOs To Go (Flying Saucer Lights)

Join us for a hands-on craft event where you'll create your own glowing UFO lights to take home. Perfect for all ages, this out-of-this-world experience combines creativity, fun, and a touch of the extraterrestrial!

Moderator: Elaina Hamilton

Panelists: Elaina Hamilton

2:00 PM | Location: Sooner B

Tribble Trouble and Blowing Bubbles

Come play dodgeball with Furry Fluffy Tribbles in a wonderful spacey bubble filled room! We have put a gentle spin on an old game so as not to remind us of the BAWANG of the red rubber balls we used as kids. Come one, come all and LET’S PLAY!

Moderator: Elaina Hamilton

Panelists: Elaina Hamilton

3:00 PM | Location: Sooner B

ASTRA Academy

ASTRA Academy cadets will select the path they choose to follow. Are you interested in engineering? Do you like Science? Are you wanting to be a part of daily Operations on the station? Come take the oath to join the ASTRA Interstellar Alliance! Kids can also choose what planet they come from!

After being sorted and taking the oath, kids will go next door and create Alien Slime to take home!

Moderator: Elaina Hamilton

Panelists: Jim Shorts, Sentinelbait, Elaina Hamilton, Shay Griffith

10:00 AM | Location: Noble

Paintbrush Rocket Ships

Come decorate a rocket ship! Rocket ships have been decorated to represent their purpose, inspiration, and mission. Modern designs incorporate functionality with visual appeal. Brand your ship with personality and imagination to encourage a future generation of space exploration.

Moderator: Elaina Hamilton

Panelists: Elaina Hamilton

11:00 AM | Location: Noble

Astronaut Helmets/Masks

Come watch the original moon landing and decorate a paper space helmet! Astronaut helmets have functional decorations such as solar radiation protection, lights, or communication insignia. Use your imagination to personalize your helmet and choose from an array of embellishments. Optional modifications for wearability will be available.

Moderator: Elaina Hamilton

Panelists: Elaina Hamilton

12:00 PM | Location: Sooner B

Tribble Trouble and Blowing Bubbles

Come play dodgeball with Furry Fluffy Tribbles in a wonderful spacey bubble filled room! We have put a gentle spin on an old game so as not to remind us of the BAWANG of the red rubber balls we used as kids. Come one, come all and LET’S PLAY!

Moderator: Elaina Hamilton

Panelists: Elaina Hamilton

2:00 PM | Location: Oklahoma G

Building Your First Robot: A Beginner's Guide

Ever wanted to build a robot but didn't know where to start? This panel covers the basics of robotics for beginners, from choosing the right microcontrollers and sensors to programming simple movements. Whether you're into BattleBots, humanoids, or automation, we'll help you take your first steps into the world of robotics.

Moderator: Collin Salmonowicz

Panelists: Chad Albee, Joshua Caudill, Collin Salmonowicz, Elaina Hamilton