UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater For 6 December 2021 Hi Everyone,We are but 15 days from the summer solstice, if one lives in Perth, Australia rather than in Perth, Scotland. Christmas down under is a holiday of the height of summer rather than the depth of winter. The two Perths remind us that much depends on where one stands on Earth.
This is especially true of one’s celestial view. As one travels south to the equator and beyond, the constellations visible in the night sky shift. Polaris sinks below the northern horizon, while the Southern Cross rises in the austral. The faces of the moon and of the sun rotate. In my experience, the points of the crescent December moon switched their handedness in the dusky skies of Argentina and of Australia.
In the days of sail and steam, when travelers on long voyages along longitudinal lines had many nights to adjust their sights and recalibrate the map in their head of the stars in the firmament, these adjustments may have been easier than for those of us who can fly from Madison to Mendoza in the space of less than one day and night. People who work in planetariums can do such miracles, letting us see the different night skies from different latitudes.
In some ways, we all are trying to do what our planetarium colleagues do: to help people to see the world and the cosmos as they are, and to make as best sense of our experiences as we can, wherever we stand and whatever our points of view, based on the fullest picture possible.Thanks!Tom ZinnenNote: please visit https://science.wisc.edu/science-alliance/ for the Updater archive. ===Coming Up This Week and This Month1. During the fall, Science Alliance meets at 10:00 am Mondays, including today, Monday December 6. Please note the location for our fall meetings of Science Alliance:Room 1120 Wisconsin Energy Institute, 1552 University AvenuePlease note the Zoom link for the fall: https://zoom.us/my/glbrc.weieducation.vmr?pwd=L2Q0L0g0S3lEd2gyazNscjA1d2JYZz09 The draft agenda includes:• Welcome• Updates• Aphra Mednick, Office of Youth Protections & Compliance• Next Meeting: Dec 13 at 10am As with the #Updater, the meeting notes are also archived on https://science.wisc.edu/science-alliance/.
2. Crossroads of Ideas presents “Soil: The Past, Present & Future of a Precious Resource”7pm CT Tuesday December 7 at the Discovery Building and online. See warf.org/crossroads
3. Recurring Programming Events coming this week and soon.• Remember to Post your science outreach events and to Check for other events presented online and available to all at http://today.wisc.edu/events/tag/science• Badger Talks Live: – https://www.facebook.com/UWConnects/live & https://badgertalks.wisc.edu/events/ Tuesday, December 7, noon, “Gardening with Native Plants” with Susan Carpenter, Senior Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Arboretum. Badger Talks Live will resume after the holidays on Tuesday, January 25 • 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 8, Trina McMahon of Civil & Environmental Engineering speaks on “The Big Blue-Green Algae Monster of Lake Mendota: Will It Eat You?”
3. Recurring Programming Events coming this week and soon.• Remember to Post your science outreach events and to Check for other events presented online and available to all at http://today.wisc.edu/events/tag/science• Badger Talks Live: – https://www.facebook.com/UWConnects/live & https://badgertalks.wisc.edu/events/ Tuesday, December 7, noon, “Gardening with Native Plants” with Susan Carpenter, Senior Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Arboretum. Badger Talks Live will resume after the holidays on Tuesday, January 25 • 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 8, Trina McMahon of Civil & Environmental Engineering speaks on “The Big Blue-Green Algae Monster of Lake Mendota: Will It Eat You?”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
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.edu608-262-29275. Getting Started in Outreach: Opportunities for Early-Career TraineesDecember 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, WISCIENCEMallory Conlon, Quantum Science Outreach Program Coordinator, UW-Madison Department of PhysicsDr. Anne Lynn Gillian-Daniel, Education Director, Materials Science and Engineering Research CenterDr. Laura Heisler, Director of Outreach, Morgridge Institute for Research, Director of Programming, Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationHaddie McLean, Wonders of Physics Coordinator, UW-Madison Department of Physics
6. 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.Morgridge Institute for ResearchEducational Programs Managermorgridge.org/community608.316.4716wmarner@morgridge.org 7. Due Today Dec 6: Fond du Lac County UW-Madison Extension Family Learning Day is Saturday, February 19, 2022.Family Learning Day is an opportunity for 4-H members (grades 5K-12) and the community to learn a new skill. We are looking to have 2022 Family Learning Day back in person on the Fond du Lac campus of UW-OshkoshPlease help make this day a success by volunteering to teach a session or two. Sessions 2 and 3 are 90 minutes, while sessions 1 and 4 are 60 minutes. Indicate the length and time of day that fits your needs. You may repeat your session if you wish.Please consider this opportunity and pass along to anyone who would be interested as well. Here is a Google Form to sign up. Please complete the form by December 6. Thanks for considering this invitation!Tracy Keifenheim4-H Program EducatorUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Fond du Lac County227 Administration/Extension Blg400 University DriveFond du Lac, WI 54935Office Phone: (920)-929-3177
8. Share Your Science with Necedah’s “Cardinal After School” by Zoom on Tuesdays throughout the coming spring semester. 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 here9. Events from the Wisconsin Energy InstituteKidWind Coaches’ Happy Hours
Preparing 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 HEREAllison BenderOutreach CoordinatorWisconsin Energy Institute | Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center608.890.0946 agbender@wisc.edu1552 University Ave, Madison WI, Room 2160University of Wisconsin–Madison
10. UW Arboretum Fall EventsClassesEcopoetry – 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 walksSaturday 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/11. Events from Madison Friends of Urban Nature
12. STEM Week at Farm Wisconsin December 28-30, 2021, in ManitowocWe 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!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 Manager920-726-6009 7001 Gass Lake Road | Manitowoc, WI 54220farmwisconsin.orgabigail@farmwisconsin.org13. A Mid-Winter’s Day Garden Series Starts January 22 with Friends of Allen Centennial Gardens
Allen Centennial Garden, in partnership with the Friends of Allen Centennial Gardens, 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. There is a $10/session fee, but they are free for the Friends and volunteers. To register go to allencentenialgarden.wisc.edu.Jane CramerFriends of Allen Centennial Gardens14. 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, and New Sewing with Nancy Store.They expect 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 Assistant Director of Outreach ProgramsUW ConnectsUniversity of Wisconsin-Madisonfran.puleo@wisc.edu | 920.296.05461308 W. Dayton St. Madison, WI 53715uwconnects.wisc.edu
12. STEM Week at Farm Wisconsin December 28-30, 2021, in ManitowocWe 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!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 Manager920-726-6009 7001 Gass Lake Road | Manitowoc, WI 54220farmwisconsin.orgabigail@farmwisconsin.org13. A Mid-Winter’s Day Garden Series Starts January 22 with Friends of Allen Centennial GardensAllen Centennial Garden, in partnership with the Friends of Allen Centennial Gardens, 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. There is a $10/session fee, but they are free for the Friends and volunteers. To register go to allencentenialgarden.wisc.edu.Jane CramerFriends of Allen Centennial Gardens14. 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, and New Sewing with Nancy Store.They expect 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 Assistant Director of Outreach ProgramsUW ConnectsUniversity of Wisconsin-Madisonfran.puleo@wisc.edu | 920.296.05461308 W. Dayton St. Madison, WI 53715uwconnects.wisc.edu