Welcome to the new year! If 2020 was the Year of Visual Acuity, it seems 2021 went by in a blur, a historic astigmatism. January’s namesake Janus was the god for retrospection and prospection, for looking back and looking forward, for pondering the past and planning the future. As we enter into the third year of covid time, the epic becomes an epoch. We wonder what to make of 2021, with the insurrection, the politicization of vaccines and masks, the stunning toll of death and disease, the numbing of it all.
So to retrospection and prospection, let us add perspective. While we wonder what 2022 will do to us, let us consider what we can do with 2022. We can hone our principles and our priorities, support our colleagues, extend our networks, strengthen our collaborations, welcome new partners, connect with new audiences, and nurture the coming generation of researchers and outreachers. What will we make out of 2022? I don’t know; let’s find out. It could be something great—and good.
• Next Meeting: January 10 at 10:00 am
As with the #Updater, the meeting notes are also archived on https://science.wisc.edu/science-alliance/.
2. 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/ 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. WN@TL resumes on January 5 with Jenyne Loarca of Horticulture speaking on “Genetic Diversity Matters: A Field Exploration of 696 Carrot Varieties.”
*UW Science Expeditions April 8-10. I hope you’ll join us again this year for the 20th Annual UW-Madison Science Expeditions on April 8-10. Please mark your calendars, and consider presenting an Exploration Station on your research or outreach, or hosting an Open House or Tour at your facility, or organizing a public presentation. You’ll be able to find out more in the coming weeks at
science.wisc.edu/science-expeditions.
If you’d like to contribute your talents as part of a Science Expeditions 2022 Planning Subcommittee, please sign up here. 🎉
3. Job Opening at MRSEC, the Materials Research Science & Engineering Center: Education Outreach Coordinator.
Please share with your network and colleagues.
Applications are due Tuesday, January 11.
4. 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 Cramer
Friends of Allen Centennial Gardens
The Wonders of Physics lights up the stage at UW-Madison’s Chamberlin Hall every February.
Free tickets for the Wonders of Physics are recommended and are available after January 1st using the
On-Line Ticket Form.
Come to the next public presentations of The Wonders of Physics on
Saturday February 12, 2022 1 and 4 pm
Sunday February 13, 2022 1 and 4 pm
Saturday February 19, 2022 1 and 4 pm
Sunday February 20, 2022 1 and 4 pm
Come to 2103 Chamberlin Hall, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, WI.
The Wonders of Physics Shows last a bit over an hour and are suitable for all ages.
The Physics Fair is an annual Department of Physics open house that includes laboratory tours, hands-on demonstrations, activities for kids and families, and informal conversations with scientists. It is presented alongside the Wonders of Physics annual show, and is held in Chamberlin Hall. No tickets or RSVP is required for the Physics Fair.
The 2022 Physics Fair is scheduled for Saturday, February 12 from 11am – 4pm in Chamberlin Hall. Please refer back to this page for any updates.
6. Share Your Science with Necedah’s “Cardinal After School” by Zoom on Tuesdays throughout the coming spring semester. Starting on Tuesday February 1 and weekly thereafter,
choose a Tuesday to share your science by zoom from 4:00-4:30pm for grades for middle school and high school; 4:30 to 5:00 for grades 3-5. 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.
7. Events from the Wisconsin Energy InstituteRegister Now for the 2022 WI KidWind Challenge!The KidWind Challenge is a hands-on wind turbine design competition that engages middle and high school students from across Wisconsin in STEM through the lens of wind energy. Student teams bring small-scale wind turbines to the challenge, test them in a wind tunnel, meet with a panel of expert judges to present their design process, tackle instant challenge activities, and explore green careers.
The 2022 WI KidWind Challenge will take place on
Saturday, February 26th at the Discovery Building at the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus. Learn more and register your teams by January 14th
here.
KidWind 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 for the January 13 Happy Hour
HERE.
Allison Bender
Outreach CoordinatorWisconsin Energy Institute | Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center
608.890.0946
agbender@wisc.edu1552 University Ave, Madison WI, Room 2160University of Wisconsin–Madison
Sunday, January 9. Family Nature Walk. 1 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 15. Full Moon Night Walk. 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 16. Nature Hike. 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 23. Garden Stroll. 1 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 30. Nature Hike. 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 5. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Ecological Restoration Work Party: Wingra Oak Savanna. Meet at Arbor Drive parking lot, off Monroe Street
Sunday, February 6. Nature Hike. 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 12. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Ecological Restoration Work Party: Core Area and Curtis Prairie. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Saturday, February 12. Full Moon Night Walk. 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 13. Family Nature Walk. 1 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 19. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Ecological Restoration Work Party: Grady Tract.
Meet at Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Highway and West Beltline Frontage Road.
Sunday, February 20. Nature Hike. 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 26. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Ecological Restoration Work Party: Core Area and Curtis Prairie. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Sunday, February 27. Garden Stroll. 1 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
9. Events from Madison Friends of Urban Nature
Quick Calendar of January Naturalist-guided Madison FUN Outings. See above for details.
“Learn Critter Tracks” Sat Jan 08, 2:30pm at Owen Conservation Park with Master Naturalist Paul Noeldner
“The Magic of Snow” Sun Jan 09:30pm at Turville Point Conservation Park with Friends of Olin Turville’s Andria Blattner
“Favorite Bird Stories” Wed Jan 19, 10am Senior Bird and Nature Adventure with Master Naturalist Paul Noeldner, register 608-222-3415
“Otter Sledding Party” Sat Jan 15, 10am at Olbrich Park Sled Hill with Master Naturalist Alex Singer
“The Art of Winter” Sun Jan 16, 1:30pm at Warner Park Rainbow Shelter with Master Naturalist Kathlean Wolf
“What Critters Do” Sat Jan 22, 10am at Edna Taylor/Aldo Leopold Nature Center with ALNC Naturalist Melissa Kesling
“Winter Woody Plant ID” Sat Jan 22, 1:30pm at Pheasant Branch Creek with Master Naturalist Eva Roos
“Winter Wonderland” Sun Jan 23, 1:30pm at UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve with Master Naturalist Paul Noeldner
10. Edgewood College to Host Science Olympiad Madison Regional Tournament on Saturday February 5
The 2021-22 TENTATIVE Science Olympiad Regional Tournament Date is 2/05/22 for the Madison Regional Competition.
Edgewood College hosts the Madison Regional Science Olympiad competition each year in February. In 2022, the event will be held on Saturday, February 5th, if it is deemed safe to do so by the College, given where the country will stand at that time in regards to Covid.
Teams from South Central Wisconsin compete at Edgewood for seats at the Wisconsin State Tournament. About 150 gifted, talented, and enthusiastic high school students converge on the Sonderegger Science Center to showcase their accomplishments in science, engineering, and technology. The competition is intense yet friendly and everyone leaves a winner.
If you are interested in joining Science Olympiad or volunteering at the Edgewood Regional, please contact Jeanne Benink, Edgewood College Program Coordinator for Science Outreach, at
jbenink@edgewood.edu
11. Beaver Dam Arts & Peony Festival on June 4, 10am to 5pm is looking for youth activities.
Location: Ovan’s Peony Farm, Beaver Dam
Partners 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.edu
Fran Puleo Moyer
Assistant Director of Outreach ProgramsUW Connects
University of Wisconsin-Madisonfran.puleo@wisc.edu | 920.296.0546
1308 W. Dayton St. Madison, WI 53715uwconnects.wisc.edu
12. Teaching & Learning with Wisconsin Fast Plants!
Happy New Year! We’re here to help support teaching & learning in schools, after schools & youth groups!
Could you use help finding Open Source resources for teaching with Fast Plants?
Would you like to talk about lighting options for growing healthy Fast Plants in your classroom situation? We are here to help!
Our purpose at the Wisconsin Fast Plants Program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison is providing outreach support to teachers and researchers who use Fast Plants as a model organism.
Here are just a few examples of 2021 outreach that was part of our daily work in the Fast Plants Program:
• Shared one-on-one consultation with a community college professor who is designing a new botany course for non-biology majors.
• Prepared and facilitated mini-workshops for teaching with and about models using Fast Plants, given during AP Biology Institutes.
• Shared and discussed via email with many teachers ways to interpret their Fast Plants’ growth and development.
• Offered webinars to support data management, statistical analyses and Open Source lesson plans.
• Worked with teachers to convert classroom Fast Plants investigations to remote-learning investigations.
So remember, if you:
• would like a second opinion about how your Fast Plants are growing,
• need assistance finding resources (e.g. lesson plans, handouts, research papers, etc.) or
• want help preparing materials for growing healthy Fast Plants,
• would like feedback about when to harvest seed for successful selection investigations,
• have any question about Fast Plants:
just send us an email.
Please include in your email information about your investigation, growing conditions, learning goals, and a photo of your plants (if relevant).
We hope to hear from you!
13. More from Madison FUN Friends of Urban Nature
UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater 