Science Outreach on Campus
Sharing Science With Wisconsin

UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater – July 19, 2021

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UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
 
19 July 2021  
 
Hi Everyone,
 
The field corn is tasseling, the sweet corn is coming in, the orange daylilies are pretty much done, and the tomatoes are about to surge in their annual tsunami.  Yep: we’re halfway through summer.  And in about 7 weeks, on September 8, we will again be able to welcome youth groups to campus after a hiatus begun in mid March 2020.  
 
In the meantime, some happy news in the here & now.  “Badger Talks” in person are resuming in communities across Wisconsin.  Liz Jesse’s new “Science on the Steps” is launching today at 2pm from the Henry Mall entrance of the Genetics Biotech Center, including online at Facebook live.   In recent weeks more venues on campus have re-opened to the public, including the Geology Museum, the libraries, Varsity Meats in the newly-constructed animal sciences laboratory, and the Babcock Dairy Store in the under-expansion Babcock Hall.
 
Around Wisconsin, this week also brings the return of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days hosted by Eau Claire County; the resumption of more county fairs, including Waukesha County; and the resuming of more & more day camps hosted by 4-H, UW-Madison’s youth development program in all 72 counties.  Across the many fields & venues of science outreach, nearly all of us have some in-person catching up to do with partners and collaborators around the state, after a year & more of wondering who’s zooming who?
   
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Our upcoming Science Alliance meeting is next Monday July 26 at 10am CT by Webex.  On July 26 Jaclyn Whitley of the Women In Science & Engineering (WISE) Learning Community will be joining us to discuss opportunities to partner with WISE participants in science outreach programs. I hope to see many of you then.  
 
We will meet by Webex every other week through the rest of the summer:  Mondays July 26, August 9 & 23.  We will resume weekly meetings in person in Room 1360 Genetics Biotech Center on Monday September 13, all at 10 am.  
 
Thanks again!
 
Tom Zinnen
 
Note: please visit https://science.wisc.edu/science-alliance/ for the Updater archive.
 
 
Coming Up
 
1.  During the summer, Science Alliance meets every other week by Webex at 10:00 am Mondays, including next Monday, July 26. 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 agendas include:
  • Welcome
  • Updates
  • Opportunities to Partner with WISE Learning Community: Jaclyn Whitley
  • Other announcements or topics
 
2.  Science Exploration Stations to Celebrate Labor Day, Monday September 6, in the afternoon, on the lawn at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park Street.    Please email Tom Zinnen at zinnen@biotech.wisc.edu if you, your research group, or your outreach program would like to reserve a space where you can provide & staff a hands-on family-friendly Exploration Station on the afternoon of Labor Day.  
 
 
3.  “Badger Talks” In-Person Presentations Are Back!

Badger Talks is pleased to announce the opening of the in-person speaker request system! Thank you for your virtual requests over the past several months. We will continue to also offer this opportunity for Wisconsin businesses and organizations who prefer to host speakers virtually at their upcoming event. 

It is our goal to bring the University of Wisconsin – Madison to you to help spark ideas and conversations on topics important to your community. Whether you want to hear about the history of the Amish, improve communication in your workplace, or learn about the latest ground-breaking health care research, Badger Talks boasts a roster of 400 UW experts ready to give talks around Wisconsin.

The process is simple: explore our list of categories, or search for speakers/topics using keywords via the search bar; then submit an online talk request. Wisconsin businesses, clubs and organizations are welcome to request up to two talks per calendar year. Please contact us if you would like assistance with identifying a speaker who matches your organization’s interests.

Services are provided at little to no cost for organizations and businesses in Wisconsin in support of The Wisconsin Idea and as part of the UW Connects program housed in the Office of State Relations. 

Questions?  Feel free to connect with us at badgertalks@uwmad.wisc.edu

 
 
The Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has published a free climate science workbook intended to provide tools high school and college teachers can use to help their students understand the evidence of global warming and climate change and the human activities that cause them.


The online workbook integrates existing curriculum subjects in science courses — such as heat, light, energy, and acids and bases — into a discussion of the properties and effects of greenhouse gases, especially climate warming and ocean acidification. 
 
 
5.  Job Opening at BadgerBots
BadgerBOTS Robotics Corporation builds relationships while developing and creating inspirational STEM experiences for kids of all ages.  We are currently expanding our offerings and have a job opening for a maker who likes to develop content and lead our programs.  

Key points:
1. Full time starting immediately.
2. Per Hour $20-$25
3. Resume/cover letters can be sent to jobs@badgerbots.org

 
6.  Programming Events coming this week and soon:
  • Science on the Steps by Facebook Live and organized by Liz Jesse of the Biotech Center and Wisconsin 4-H
    • Kick-off session on Monday July 19 at 2pm CT with Tom Zinnen on using the classic parable of “Which Makes Better Bubbles, Skim Milk or Whole” to develop experimentation skills, science savvy, and an appreciation of discoveries from UW-Madison.  We’ll be streaming from Henry Mall, site of the discovery of Vitamin A in 1913, of Vitamin B in 1916, of the UV-light method of activating Vitamin D in 1924.  You can coach science savvy and also share three stories of great UW discoveries with a couple gallons of milk.
 

7.  Upcoming Lineup for Wednesday Nite @ The Lab online by zoom starting at 7pm Central.  WN@TL runs every Wednesday night, 50 times a year.

Register at go.wisc.edu/240r59    Schedule and descriptions at https://science.wisc.edu/wednesday-nite-at-the-lab

July 21  “Big Peace:  Lessons from the Nobel Prize”  Solon Simmons, George Mason University
 
July 28  “The Program for Advanced Cell Therapy”  Ross Meyers, Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center
 
August 4, “Transforming the Menomonee Valley: A National Model in Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability”  Corey Zetts, Menomonee Valley Partners
 
August 11,  “The Pandemic Year of Tracking Insects in Wisconsin”  PJ Liesch, Entomology & Insect Diagnostic Lab
 
 
8.  Come and Observe the Cosmos with Edgewood’s Astronomy Outreach Team at Ernest Hüpeden’s Painted Forest in Valton, WI. We will have guest speakers, activities for kids, and observe the night sky through the 20” Dobsonian Telescope. (Observing will be weather permitting.) To keep up to date with any changes due to weather conditions, and get reminders for the star parties, visit and like our Facebook Page @edgewoodastro  
 
Star Party Dates: Talks start @ 7PM, come earlier for family activities
 
Saturday, August 14, 2021 
Saturday, September 18, 2021 
Saturday, October 16, 2021
 
Link to  a map: 
Note that you should turn left at the Painted Forest building (looks like a little white church) and proceed up the hill. The telescope will be on the right at the top of the hill.
 
Edgewood College follows State of Wisconsin current recommendations regarding masking and social distancing in response to COVID-19.

9.  Schedule of Events for Madison FUN Partners
 
 
10.  Aerospace Jam:  A Drone-based & Sensor Competition for Wisconsin High Schools for Spring 2022.  Applications due August 2.
 

Aerospace Jam is a competition for high school students across Wisconsin to use drones on a NASA-inspired simulated moon mission. The program is a partnership between the NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium and the Milwaukee Bucks. Our goal is to recruit students from diverse backgrounds and cultivate a welcoming and inclusive event that will foster meaningful interactions among teammates and teams.  See the flyer attached for more information.

Applications to compete in the Aerospace Jam event are now open through August 2. The event is open to all public and private high schools in Wisconsin.  To learn more, visit: https://www.carrollu.edu/aerospacejam and http://wsst.wildapricot.org/resources/AerospaceJam_SaveTheDate.pdf