Schedule of events
Science Expeditions 2009
Saturday, April 4
Science and technology come alive at UW–Madison with an exciting day of hands-on Exploration Stations, intriguing Science Spectaculars, and more to explore at twelve Special Venues. All events are free.
Science Spectaculars
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“Science Is Fun”
Shows at 12 and 2 p.m. at Stock Pavilion
Come learn about combustion, flying corks, liquids that glow in the dark, shrinking plastic bottles, floating soap bubbles, and many spectacular scientific phenomena. You will sit at the edge of your seat and as you see science in action. Proudly presented by the Science Is Fun Student Group of the Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy.
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“The Wonders of Physics”
Shows at 1 and 3 p.m. at Stock Pavilion
Physics is all around us! Experience the strange and explosive powers of physics through live demonstrations and experiments. Static electricity is shocking, but can it make something levitate? Can you fire a cannon...with liquid nitrogen as fuel? Assistant scientists from the audience will be needed!
- Fusion Science Theater
Shows at 12, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. in the Microbial Sciences Building
Fusion Science Theater combines the magic of theater, the power of inquiry, and the excitement of participation to inspire and engage kids ages 4-14 in science learning.
Exploration Stations
Hands-on activities at Exploration Stations spanning the spectrum of sciences. Come explore from 12–4 p.m. in the Microbial Sciences Building and the Biochem Addition!
More to explore
Saturday, April 4
Opportunties to explore science abound on campus! Visit our other venues for more fun and learning. All events are free.
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Allen Centennial Gardens, 620 Babcock Drive.
Open dawn to dusk
Stroll the 22 magnificent gardens maintained by UW faculty, staff, and students to view gardening styles from around the world.
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Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Highway.
Visitor Center open 12:30–4 p.m.
The Arboretum features many distinct ecological communities, several horticultural collections, effigy mounds, historic artifacts, and more than 20 miles of a trail system.
Astronomy, Stock Pavilion, 1675 Linden Drive.
Open 12–4 p.m.
Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy at the "From Earth to the Universe" exhibit. Explore all parts of our universe: from seeing Earth through Saturn's rings to witnessing the explosions of massive stars to learning about what happens when two galaxies collide.
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences Building, 1225 West Dayton Street.
Open 12–4 p.m.
Explore Earth and its atmosphere displayed on the Space Science and Engineering Center’s new 3-D interactive weather globe through informal presentations and Q&A sessions. Tours to the roof of the 16-story building will leave on the half hour until 3:30.
Babcock Hall Dairy Store, 1606 Linden Drive.
Open 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Stop in to refresh yourself with a yummy dairy treat made on campus. Step upstairs to view the Dairy Plant at rest.
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Botany Greenhouse and Gardens, 1100 University Ave.
Open 12–4 p.m.
Enjoy an oasis of tranquility in the middle of campus! The greenhouse features more than 1,000 species of distinct aquatic, desert, and tropical communities.
Also housed here is the Wisconsin State Herbarium, where you can tour the collection of more than 1 million pressed plants, pine cones, and other botanicals. You will even have a chance to prepare your own specimens.
DC Smith Greenhouse, 465 Babcock Drive.
Open 12–4 p.m.
Why travel all the way to the tropics when you can experience a warm, humid forest of tropical butterflies right here in Madison? Visit the DC Smith Greenhouse to see a special exhibit featuring an array of beautiful butterflies from around the world.
Also stop by Tony's Creepy Crawly Zoo where you can hold live cockroaches, walking sticks, beetles, and more!
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Geology Museum, Weeks Hall, 1215 West Dayton St.
Open 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Explore the Geology Museum’s exhibits of rocks, minerals and meteorites; walk through a model of a Wisconsin limestone cave and check out the skeletons of a mosasaur, mastodon, saber-toothed cat and the flying reptile Pteranodon.
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Ingersoll Physics Museum, Chamberlin Hall, 1150 University Ave.
Open 12–4 p.m.
Interactive exhibits involving motion, electricity, light, etc. to engage your inner scientist. Bring the whole family!
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Primate Center Learning Lobby, 1220 Capitol Court.
Open 12–4 p.m.
View a family of marmosets and talk with scientists from the Primate Center about research and animal care. Learn what the monkeys eat, color pictures, try your skill at a food puzzle feeder, and get stickers to take home.
Science House, 1645 Linden Drive.
Open 12–4 p.m.
Enjoy interactive presentations about insect issues affecting Wisconsin and the world at the Department of Entomology's "100 Years of Bugs–Past, Present, and Future" exhibit. Also pick up free tickets for the butterfly exhibit here.
Zoology Museum, 250 N. Mills Street.
Open 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
See a natural history museum at work! Watch museum staff prepare mammals and birds for the collection, learn how the dermestid beetle colony helps to clean the skeletons, and interact with biologists and archaeologists demonstrating use of the collections.
