UW–Madison Science Alliance Updater – July 26, 2021

UW–Madison Science Alliance Updater
 
26 July 2021  
 
Hi Everyone,
 
The 1918-1919 Flu epidemic killed millions of humans.  It also was the demise of the Golden Age  of microbiology.  The flu had defied prevention, treatments, cures and vaccines. Microbiologists had little better idea in May of 1919 of the nature of the pathogen than they had had in April 1918.  As far as I can tell, there were no Nobel Prizes awarded for any contemporaneous breakthrough on that pandemic flu. 
 
The covid pandemic, in contrast, has been a period of remarkable achievements in etiology, epidemiology, sequencing, treatment, and vaccine development.  But for those of us in science outreach and for our kin in science communication, the inability to convince large swaths of the American public decline to be vaccinated will likely be an outstanding feature for future generations on the historical landscape.  Values, partisan politics, traditions, habits, and — in a few cases — sheer cussedness have played their roles as at least 625,000 Americans have shuffled off this mortal coil due to covid.  
 
The delta variant, contagious far beyond the original strain,  is now center stage and sees before itself an audience of nearly half of our 330 million countrymen—and all of those of us under 12 — just as susceptible as we all were 9 months ago.  Summer camps are running full bore—I dropped my 14 year old off yesterday—and in a month students will be returning to schools.  This play has more acts to go, and still more to unfold.
 
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Our upcoming Science Alliance meeting is today Monday July 26 at 10am CT by Webex.  Here’s the link.  On July 26 Jacqueline 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.  
 
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: Jacqueline 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

Lisa Bartig
BadgerBOTS Robotics Corp. Executive Director
 
 
6.  Programming Events coming this week and soon:
  • The UW Now Livestream.  July 27 at 7 pm.  “The Delta Variant” with David O’Connor, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine; Jeff Pothof, Clinical Health Sciences;  ad Aja Sethi, Population Health Sciences
 
 
  • Science on the Steps by Facebook Live and organized by Liz Jesse of the Biotech Center and Wisconsin 4-H.
    • The Second  Session is today, Monday July 26 at 2pm CT from the Arboretum with Jennifer Mitchell.
 
 

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 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: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Painted+Forest/@43.5740255,-90.2738505,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x10782e9febe78b0c!8m2!3d43.5740255!4d-90.2738505
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.
———————————-
Rachael Lancor, PhD
Faculty Development Coordinator
Associate Professor of Physics
Division of Physical, Computational, and Mathematical Sciences
Edgewood College
 
Office: SON 203A
Phone: 608-663-6997 (o); 608-215-3493 (cell)
WebEx: https://edgewood.webex.com/meet/rlancor
 
 
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
 
Kristin Michalski, NBCT
East Troy High School
Science Team Leader
Milwaukee Area Physics Share (MAPS) Coordinator