Science Outreach on Campus
Sharing Science With Wisconsin

UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater – November 22, 2021

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UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
 
For 22 November 2021  
Hi Everyone,
 
I will be sending out a longer Thanksgiving missive on Wednesday.  
 
I wish everyone the best today.  
 
Somedays we especially need our best, and on those days we especially need each other.
 
Thank you,  
 
Tom Zinnen
 
 
Note: please visit https://science.wisc.edu/science-alliance/ for the Updater archive.
 
===
 
Coming Up This Week and This Month
Word of mouth is golden:  please share the #Updater with your friends and colleagues!
 
1.  During the fall, Science Alliance meets at 10:00 am Mondays, including today, Monday November 22.
 
Please note the location for our fall meetings of Science Alliance:
Room 1120 Wisconsin Energy Institute, 1552 University Avenue
 
Please note the Zoom link for the fall:  
 
Allison Bender of the Wisconsin Energy Institute will convene the meeting today.
 
The draft agenda includes:
 
  • Welcome 
  • Updates
  • Planning for the 20th Annual UW-Madison Science Expeditions 2022 on April 8-10
  • Next Meeting:  November 29 at 10am
 
Upcoming:  November 29, Rachael Lancor, Madison Country Day School
Upcoming:  December 6, Aphra Mednick, Office of Youth Protection & Compliance
 
As with the #Updater, the meeting notes are also archived on https://science.wisc.edu/science-alliance/.   
 
 
2. The Wisconsin Energy Institute’S Blood Driver is Tuesday November 30.  The Red Cross is currently facing an Emergency Blood Shortage where hospital demand continues to outpace donations. Your donation is vital. All donors who come to give blood during our drive will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email from the Red Cross’s partners at Amazon.

 Check out the details and make your appointment today! 

Please help us spread the word around campus and the community.——Drive Details:Site: University of Wisconsin Energy InstituteAddress: 1552 University Ave, Madison, WI, 53726Room Name: 1115Date: Tue Nov 30, 2021Time: 08:00 AM – 12:30 PMClick here to make an appointmentThank you for embracing WEI’s values of giving back to our community and participating in the drive!
 
Allison Bender
WEI

 
3. Recurring Programming Events coming this week and soon.
 
  • PLATO Frontiers in Life Sciences Public Science Series Wednesdays at 1pm CT at UW Space Place, 2300 S. Park St, Madison, WI.  Next week (Dec 1):  Jenyne Loarca of Horticulture speaks on genetic diversity of carrots.
  • Wednesday Nite @ The Lab Public Science Series every Wednesday night, 50 times a year, at 7pm CT by zoom (go.wisc.edu/240r59) or in person in Room 1111 Genetics Biotech Center, 425 Henry Mall, Madison WI.    On December 1, Cody Wenthur of the School of Pharmacy speaks on “Psychedelics as Catalysts for Change.”
4.  The Wonders of Physics Traveling Show Is Back!
Our show is a fast-paced, interactive presentation that can be customized for any age group for maximum comprehension and enjoyment. 
We want to share our love of physics with all children and inspire the next generation of scientists. We supply all of the equipment and come to you! 
Email Haddie McLean at haddie@physics.wisc.edu or visit https://wonders.physics.wisc.edu/book-a-program/ to book a program.
 Haddie McLeanOutreach Specialist-Wonders of PhysicsUW-Madison Physics Departmenthaddie@physics.wisc.edu608-262-2927
 
5.  Updated:  Memorandum of Understanding for Youth Group Visits to Campus
 
From Helena Manning, Campus Visit Specialist:   
“Our office received an update to the insurance policy listed on the Campus Visit Agreement-MOU from Daniel Karamanski, Risk Mgmt, and Keri Robbins. 

 I updated the attached CVA-MOU template in case other campus programs and departments want to use it for their youth visits.  Feel free to share with others.”

6.  Thanks to all who provided materials to be included in the Wisconsin Science Festival’s  “Science in a Bag” Kits this year. 
 
We received so much positive feedback from libraries and participants. Here are a few:
 

• “Thanks so much for putting this together! We had a tremendous community response – all of our bags were claimed within about 4 hours!”
• “Patrons were very excited about the kits. We had other giveaways at our booth and ran out of Science in a Bag kits first. We gave out all 50 kits in the first 2 hours or so of the event. We had several calls the day before the event from patrons asking if we would have Science in a Bag kits available, as other locations had already run out of kits.”
• “Please tell the people who put the bags together, thank you, we are going to have so much fun!” A little girl who was thrilled to get the bag and go home to have STEM fun.

 Your materials were included in 1,950 “Science in a Bag” kits with other science activities. Your materials were distributed to libraries in the following WI cities: Walworth, Genoa City, Park Falls, Hammond, New Richmond, North Fond du Lac, Pine River, Kenosha, Salem, Richland Center, Holmen, Three Lakes, Wausau, Merrill, Edgerton, Evansville, Milton, Plainfield, Franklin, Oak Creek, and Cudahy, Oconto, Algoma, Hayward, Spooner, Superior, Manitowoc, Chilton, New Glarus, Monroe, Fitchburg, Lancaster, Blanchardville, Independence, Mauston Thank you again for your participation in making this pilot program a success. We couldn’t have pulled it together without you and we are deeply grateful for your efforts. THANK YOU! If you have any questions, please let me know!

Val Blair
Morgridge Institute for Research
and Wisconsin Science Festival
 
 
7. Getting Started in Outreach: Opportunities for Early-Career Trainees

December 6 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CSTYou’re passionate about your work, so share your passion with others!

 
Please share this announcement widely with campus graduate students and postdocs! 

To register, visit https://morgridge.org/event/getting-started-in-outreach/UW-Madison is rich with opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to engage with the public. In this panel discussion, you’ll learn how to find opportunities to do outreach in rewarding ways and how to share your research most effectively with others. You’ll also hear from experts who lead public engagement programs and receive a list of outreach programs in the university community.This hybrid event is intended for early-career trainees, especially graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Registration is requested and includes in-person and virtual options.This event is hosted by UW-Madison Postdoctoral Association and the Morgridge Institute for Research.Panelists Include:·         Dr. Jeri Bryant, BioCommons Program Director, WISCIENCE·         Mallory Conlon, Quantum Science Outreach Program Coordinator, UW-Madison Department of Physics·         Dr. Anne Lynn Gillian-Daniel, Education Director, Materials Science and Engineering Research Center·         Dr. Laura Heisler, Director of Outreach, Morgridge Institute for Research, Director of Programming, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation·         Haddie McLean, Wonders of Physics Coordinator, UW-Madison Department of Physics

 
 
8.  In preparation for our upcoming panel aimed at graduate student and postdoc participation in outreach (see above), we would like to collect information on as many programs as possible. Please share your program information via this form: https://morgridge.org/event/getting-started-in-outreach/

 Your responses will be gathered into a single PDF that will be distributed to everyone who registered for the event. If you have questions, reach out to Wes Marner, wmarner@morgridge.org.  Thank you!

 
Wesley D. Marner II, Ph.D.he/him/hisMorgridge Institute for ResearchEducational Programs Managermorgridge.org/community608.316.4716wmarner@morgridge.org

 
 
9. Madison FUN (Friends of Urban Nature) Bird and Nature Adventure Supporters, Topic Leaders, Co-Sponsors and Publicity Contacts 

Thank you for helping Madison area neighborhoods, families and kids enjoy this fantastic fall outdoors in nearby parks!  
Our trustworthy team of naturalist volunteers will help them feel welcome, have fun, and learn about migrating birds, prairie seeds, oak masting, Ice Age geology and more!
How can folks participate?*Check out the Quick Calendar below and online at http://CityofMadison.com/Parks/Events/Bird-Nature.cfm
*Learn about Fascinating Monthly Nature Topics with Maps, Fun Facts and Activities at http://Tinyurl.com/MadisonFUNAdventures 
 
Here is a calendar of upcoming Volunteer Naturalist Guided Outings:
 
“Fall Trees and Oak Masting” Sat Nov 27, 10am at Edna Taylor/Aldo Leopold Nature Center with Master Naturalist Alex Singer

“Creekside Nature Hike” Sat Nov 27, 1:30pm at Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor with Master Naturalist Paul Noeldner“Fun Fall Birding” Sun Nov 28, 1:30pm at UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve with Chuck Henrikson and Paul Noeldner See you outdoors! 🙂Paul NoeldnerMaster Naturalist InstructorVolunteer Coordinator, Madison FUN Friends of Urban Nature608-698-0104paul_noeldner@hotmail.comethicalguidebook.com

 
10.  Data Science Research Bazaar Coming in February
 

 
11.  Opportunities to Share Your Science with Necedah’s “Cardinal After School” by Zoom on Tuesdays throughout the fall.  4:00-4:30pm for grades 3-5.  4:30 to 5:00 for middle school and high school.  It’s a good way to share existing activities, as well as to invite the students to help you prototype & hone new activities you’re developing.  Contact Liz Jesse (ejesse2@wisc.edu) or Tom Zinnen (zinnen@biotech.wisc.edu) for questions or suggestions.  Sign up at the spreadsheet here.
12.  Events from the Wisconsin Energy Institute
For Educators:
KidWind Coaches’ Happy HoursPreparing for the 2022 KidWind Challenge or looking to learn more? Join us for a happy hour to chat with other coaches and share ideas. KidWind advisors and organizers will be on hand to answer your questions – from engineering and design tips and tricks, to FAQ about the registration process and what to expect on Challenge Day. Come for the whole hour or just a portion and BYO beverage of choice.January 13, 2022, 4:00 – 5:00 pm Central. REGISTER HERE
Allison Bender Outreach CoordinatorWisconsin Energy Institute | Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center608.890.0946  agbender@wisc.edu1552 University Ave, Madison WI, Room 2160University of Wisconsin–MadisonPronouns: she, her, hers

 
 
13.  UW Arboretum Fall Events, provided by Susan Day
Virtual and in-person classes:
Ecopoetry – Following W.S. Merwin (in-person)
Wednesdays, December 1 and 8, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Information, registration, and more classes: https://arboretum.wisc.edu/learn/adult-education/classes/
Saturday work parties, Sunday walks, and night walks
Saturday restoration work parties, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.: https://arboretum.wisc.edu/get-involved/volunteer/work-parties/
See the full list of Sunday walks (nature hikes, family walks, and garden strolls), plus monthly night walks, on the Arboretum events calendar:https://arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/
 
 
14.  Schedule of Events for Madison FUN Partners

15.  STEM Week at Farm Wisconsin December 28-30, 2021 
 
We invite you to participate in our annual event: STEM Week at Farm Wisconsin, this December 28-30, 2021.

STEM Week at Farm Wisconsin is designed to engage visitors of all ages with hands-on activities in the areas of agriculture science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This year’s event will run for three days – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – while students are on winter break.

 

At this time, we are seeking businesses, organizations, community groups, and individuals to coordinate an interactive station highlighting STEM in agriculture. Stations may include a demonstration, experiment, craft or activity – the more hands-on, the better!

 

Potential station ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
  • Using Virtual Reality goggles to explore an agriculture industry
  • Dissecting a fruit, vegetable, or animal organ
  • Demonstrating how to make sausage, jam/jelly, or the perfect loaf of bread
  • Using a water testing kit to analyze water samples
  • Showcasing how a goat is milked
  • Fixing a gear on a piece of agriculture equipment

 

Participants will be expected to staff their station for the whole day (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) and may plan to attend one, two, or all three days.

 

Please let me know if you would be interested in participating in our event and/or if you would like to brainstorm possible ideas for a station. Feel free to also spread the word to others you think may be interested in joining us this winter. I have attached a PDF with event details to this email for easy distribution.

 

Thank you,
Abigail Martin | Program Manager
16.  A Mid-Winter’s Day Garden Series Starts January 22
 
Allen Centennial Garden, in partnership with the Friends of Allen Centennial Garden, offers an annual Saturday morning winter program series during January and February on garden-related topics for ACG Friends and volunteers as well as the general public. Last year’s programs were virtual, and we will be using that format again in early 2022. They are free for the Friends and volunteers but there is a fee for other attendees.  Hold the date:  the first session will be held January 22, 2022.   More information on registering is forthcoming.

Jane CramerFriends of Allen Centennial Garden

 
 
17.  Beaver Dam Arts & Peony Festival on June 4, 10am to 5pm is looking for youth activities.
 Location: Ovan’s Peony Farm, Beaver DamPartners include Mill House Quilts, New Sewing with Nancy StoreThey expect/hope for about 500 people to come through.
 
If interested in providing an Exploration Station in science or the arts, please reach out to Fran Puleo fpuleo@wisc.eduFran Puleo Moyer (she,her)Assistant Director of Outreach Programs UW Connects University of Wisconsin-Madisonfran.puleo@wisc.edu | 920.296.05461308 W. Dayton St. Madison, WI 53715uwconnects.wisc.edu