Science Outreach on Campus
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UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater – January 24, 2021

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UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
24 January 2021
Hi Everyone,
 
This evening millions of Packer fans in Wisconsin are channeling the angst The Tin Man expressed as Dorothy departed Oz:  “Now I know I have a heart, because it’s breaking.”   
 
As my Mom warned, “Losing hurts worse than winning feels good.”  She would know:  she was a longtime fan of the White Sox, who won the World Series only once in her 88 years, in October 2005; and of the Cubs, who won their first Series since 1908 in November 2016, eight days after Mom died (probably no cause & effect there;  wouldn’t rule it out, tho).
 
On a brighter note, and from a point of view not of sports but rather of science in policy, the US has re-engaged with the World Health Organization, has re-joined the Paris Accords, and has restarted establishing a nationally-coordinated plan for dealing with covid’s spread and for spreading covid vaccinations.
 
On campus the undergrad students have returned for the first time since their departure the week before Thanksgiving.  Classes start tomorrow (January 25), including some in person.  The Chazen resumes welcoming public visitors to its galleries on Tuesday.  In science outreach, several programs are already filled to the gills through February with public events driven mostly to zooms by the pandemic.   
In related news (and what isn’t related to covid?), the UW starts its mandatory every-8-days covid-testing scheme tomorrow.  Meanwhile, and slowly, slowly, the vaccination programs are working their ways through the Priority 1a and 1b tiers. I’m looking forward to getting a dose and a deuce.   Yesterday in the attic I found my fake ID from college that would clock me in at 66 years old instead of 63, and I was thinking that a little Photoshop magic might help me budge in the vaccine line.  
 
Alas, even Photoshop has its limits, and I’ll have to wait my turn to get the shots.   
Thanks again!
 
Tom Zinnen
 
Note: please visit https://science.wisc.edu/science-alliance/ for the Updater archive.
 
Notable This Week
 
1.  Science Alliance meets weekly by Webex at 10:00 am Mondays, including January 25. Email Liz Jesse at ejesse2@wisc.edu or Tom Zinnen at zinnen@biotech.wisc.edu to receive the link. The meeting notes are archived on https://science.wisc.edu/science-alliance/.   
 
The draft agenda for Monday, January 25 at 10am includes:
 
  • Welcome
  • Updates
  • Science Expeditions Campus-wide Open House  April 9-11:  
    • Online Events  
    • Outdoor Activities on Campus & Other UW-Madison Sites 
    • Communications & Promotions
    • Engineering Expo update
  • Other announcements or topics  
 
2.  Please add your upcoming online programs or resources with learners of any ages to the list at http://science.wisc.edu/ and be sure to include program events in the calendar at http://today.wisc.edu and tag them with “Science” and any other appropriate tag.
 
3.  Programming Events coming this week and soon:
 
 
 
  • “Wednesday Nite @ The Lab” public science seminar, by Zoom.  Wednesdays at 7 pm CT.  Every Wednesday night, 50 times a year. Register at go.wisc.edu/240r59.   WN@TL on January 27 features Sean Carroll, Vice President for Science Education at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, speaking on the topic of his latest book:  “A Series of Fortunate Events: Chance and the Making of the Planet, Life, and You”
 
  • The UW Now Livestream.  Tuesday January 26 at 7pm CST with Erica Groshan, former commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, senior extension faculty member at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and research fellow at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research;  and Noah Williams, Professor of Economics and director of the Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy.
 
 
 
 

4.  Upcoming Lineup for Wednesday Nite @ The Lab online by zoom starting at 7pm Central.  Register at https://go.wisc.edu/240r59
Schedule and descriptions at https://science.wisc.edu/wednesday-nite-at-the-lab/ 

Jan 27 Sean Carroll, Howard Hughes Medical Institute,  “A Series of Fortunate Events: Chance and the Making of the Planet, Life, and You”
Feb 3  Andrea Strzelec, Engineering, “The Future of Hybrid Vehicles:  Electric vs Electrified Powertrains”
Feb 10 Moriah Szpara, Pennsylvania State University, Neurovirology & Neuron-Virus Relationships.  Special speaker for UW-Madison Darwin Days
 
 
5. Premiering February 1 at 9:00pm on the University Place series of the Wisconsin Channel of PBS Wisconsin:  
“Keeping Produce Safe and People Healthy” by Kristin Krokowski, Commercial Horticulture Educator, Division of Extension, UW-Madison.  Kristin discusses methods small farmers are using to ensure the health and safety of customers and employees, with a focus on preventing spread of the COVID-19 virus.


This is the first U Place program to air which was recorded using our new remote webcam kit.  The kit allows PBS Wisconsin to record presenters at home or in their place of work, and features a laptop, web camera, microphone and small lights.  This presentation was recorded in collaboration with our long-time U Place partner, Tom Zinnen, director of UW-Madison’s Wednesday Nite @ the Lab lecture series.

This program may also be viewed on or before Feb. 1 at  pbswisconsin.org/uplace .

 
6.  The Arboretum has just announced the Winter Enrichment lecture series, Arboretum Research Symposium, and a few winter classes. Below is information for the Updater. 

 

WINTER ENRICHMENT VIRTUAL LECTURE SERIES
The 2021 lectures will be virtual on Thursday mornings, February 4 through April 8, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Lectures are $10 each and advance registration is required. 7 or more lectures for $70. Talks will begin promptly at 10 a.m. (CST).

 

 

February 4. Relationships, History, Hip Hop, and Forestry: Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion in the Environmental Sciences. Thomas Easley, Assistant Dean of Community and Inclusion, Yale University, Yale School of the Environment. Register by January 31.

 

February 11. Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation. Robin Kimmerer, Distinguished Teaching Professor, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York. Register by February 7. NOTE: This lecture will not be recorded.

 

February 25. How Microbes Shape Our Lives, Transform the Environment, and Influence Climate Change. Charlotte Francoeur, Ph.D. Student, Department of Bacteriology, UW–Madison. Register by February 21.

 

March 4. Holy Ground: Working with Faith and Indigenous Leaders to Build Resilience. Dekila Chungyalpa, Director, Loka Initiative, Center for Healthy Minds, UW–Madison. Register by February 28.

 

March 11. Beyond the Clinical Walls: Environmental Determinants of Health. Jamie Ferschinger, Director, and Stephanie Mercado, Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, Department of Environmental Health, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers. Register by March 7.

 

March 18. Climate Change and Wisconsin’s Forests: What We Know, What We Expect, and How to Adapt. Stephen Handler, Climate Change Specialist, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service and Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science. Register by March 14.

 

March 25. Treaty Rights, Culturally Important Beings, and Indigenous-led Climate Adaptation in the Ojibwe Ceded Territories. Robert Croll, Policy Analyst and Climate Change Program Coordinator, and Hannah Panci, Climate Change Scientist, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Register by March 21.

 

April 1. Using Markets to Achieve Conservation: Examples from the Field. Dominic Parker, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, UW–Madison. Register by March 28.

 

April 8. Climate Change, Reality versus Development: Global South and Worldwide Perspective. Marie-Josée Paula Houénou, specialist in climate change and environmental law and strategies, and city advisor, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and a 2018 Mandela Washington Fellow at UW–Madison. Register by April 4.

 

ARBORETUM RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
February 18. Arboretum Research Symposium. Students, faculty, and other researchers will present findings from projects on Arboretum lands and in the Lake Wingra watershed. Free. Register in advance. About the Arboretum Research Symposium»

 

ARBORETUM VIRTUAL CLASSES
Fridays, February 5 and 12, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. 
Nature Poetry, session 1
These classes offer a sampling of modern nature poetry. Session is two classes, February 5 and 12. Instructor: Troy Hess. Fee: $15 for session. Space is limited. Registration required by January 31.

 

Fridays, February 19 and 26, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Nature Poetry, session 2 
These classes offer a sampling of modern nature poetry. Session is two classes, February 19 and 26. Instructor: Troy Hess. Fee: $15 for session. Space is limited. Registration required by February 14. 

 

Tuesdays, March 2 and 9, 6:30–8 p.m.
Writing Your “Marshland Elegy” 
In this two-part class, we will interpret Aldo Leopold’s “Marshland Elegy” through the contemporary lens of unprecedented loss of species and ecological diversity. Session is two classes, March 2 and 9. Instructor: Troy Hess. Fee: $15 for session. Space is limited. Registration required by February 25.
 
 
7.  Madison Makes! A Virtual Showcase of Local Makers presented by Monona Terrace


Have you taken on a new creative project during this pandemic, or reignited your passion for an existing hobby?  If you’ve found enrichment in making and creating during these challenging times, we’d like to hear from you!

Madison Makes is a new virtual event occurring on March 6, which will showcase videos of Madison area people who love to create and want to share it with others.

Monona Terrace is inviting video submissions through February 1.  Space is limited and participation is not guaranteed. All ages and making activities are welcome to submit.   Learn more at  https://www.mononaterrace.com/event-group/madison-makes/

 
 
8.  The Virtual 2021 KidWind Challenge is March 6 and registration is open until Feb 5 for middle and high school teams.
 
 
9. School of Pharmacy Outreach Events

January 30, 2021 |  10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST

This event is tailored to students who plan to apply to our PharmD program for fall ’21 or ’22 admissions. Students will learn how to prepare for a professional school interview, and have the opportunity to practice interviewing with current UW–Madison PharmD students.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom event link and your designated 30-minute time slot.

 

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 |  9:30 AM – 12:00 PM CST

Learn about the many career paths for pharmacists and the exciting field of pharmacy during the UW–Madison Pharmacy Career Exploration Day. This virtual event is designed for those who are interested in exploring the pharmacy field and what you can do with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The event will feature a pharmacists panel, sessions with current PharmD students, and an overview on clinical training opportunities. Registration is required.

1.       Pharmacist Career Overview — Learn about the wide variety of exciting career options within the field of pharmacy.

2.       Pharmacist Panel — Get the perspectives of practicing pharmacists about their day to day, and ask your questions during the Q&A.

3.       The UW–Madison Advantage — Learn about the unique aspects of the UW–Madison PharmD curriculum that prepares graduates to excel in their desired career path after graduation.

4.       Student Breakouts — What is it like to be a pharmacy student at UW–Madison? Learn more during these session led by current PharmD students.

 

MARCH 13, 2021 |  9:30 AM – 11:45 AM CST

APRIL 10, 2021 | 9:30 AM  – 11:45 AM CST

Please join us online for our UW–Madison School of Pharmacy PharmD Spring Open House virtual event, designed for those who are interested in exploring the Doctor of Pharmacy program at UW–Madison. These events will feature an Admissions Q&A, PharmD student panel, and overview of the curriculum and co-curricular opportunities. Registration is required.

 

1.       Curriculum and Experiential Learning — Find out how our curriculum and experiential learning opportunities help differentiate our students through specialization.

2.       Opportunities for Co-Curricular Learning — Learn about student orgs and co-curricular activities that can enhance PharmD students’ development and preparation for career success.

3.       Admissions Overview — Join this session to learn more about the PharmD admissions process, application timeline, prerequisites, and the selection criteria.  

4.       Student Panel — What is it like to be a pharmacy student at UW–Madison? Learn more during this Q&A with current students.

 
 

10.  Job Opening.   Oregon State University, Oregon’s land grant university enrolling over 33,000 students, is seeking a director of Precollege Programs (PCP).  Housed in the Office of Enrollment Management, PCP takes leadership in creating and fostering college connections to K-12 students throughout the state, providing programs in areas such as STEM, TAG, and Science Discovery; mentoring via Beaver Hangouts and Family and Science Engineering Nights; and events that bring OSU to students, and students to OSU, throughout the summer and school year.  

The Director should have a commitment to educational equity, improving college access and opportunity for K-12 students, and should have at least three years of experience in management responsibilities such as supervision of diverse programs, developing partnerships, and must be familiar with securing and managing external sources of funding, including state and federal grants. A Master’s degree is required, preferably in STEM or an education discipline, and a doctoral degree is preferred.

A complete job description, including details about how to apply, can be found herehttps://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/96969 Review of applications will begin in mid-February, and the job will remain open until filled.  Anticipated start time is June 1, 2021, but is negotiable.

OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/Disabled.
·         OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. 
 

 
11.  Wonders of Physics Goes Online for 2021

After 37 years of physics presentations to the public, The University of Wisconsin – Madison is this year sponsoring a physics video competition for teachers and students.

We invite you to submit a 2-minute video demonstrating a physics concept. Awards will be given for the best videos, and winners will be posted on our website and edited into a longer video to be shown on public television.

We encourage submissions from students and teams, but for legal reasons, anyone under the age of 18 must work under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or teacher who will submit the video on their behalf. This could be a fun educational project for families or for physics classes during this period of social distancing.

The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2021. You can find more information at https://wonders.physics.wisc.edu/contest/.

 
 
12.  Microscopes for Schools
ZEISS has launched a granting program to give away microscopes throughout the school year of 2021 to K-12 schools in districts who are interested in incorporating digital microscopy into their lesson plans in the coming year. With your local outreach leadership, I thought you may be interested in case there are people you think could benefit and would want to apply.
 
Anyone interested can find out more information and apply here: https://www.zeiss.com/microscopy/us/local/scopes-grant.html?vaURL=www.zeiss.com/scopesgrant
 
Additionally, please let me know if there are any upcoming activities that ZEISS can support. We’ve been participating in science outreach online events by either providing demo digital microscopy equipment for events or presentations from our team.
Best regards,
 
Kimberly Toops PhD
Account Manager
ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions
 
13.  Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers is sponsoring the “Wisconsin Water Week Essay Contest” with levels at grades PK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12.  Entries are due on April 1.