UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
For 14 February 2022
Hi Everyone,
If Yogi Berra were still here, he might be reminding us that the pandemic ain’t over til it’s over, whether we’re over it or not.
Or as the longer version of the aphorism goes, it ain’t over til the fat lady sings. I
read that this is Wagnerian reference, invoking one of my favorite German words, Gotterdammerung, an opera having to do with the end of the world as we know it,
whether we feel fine or not.
Happily, we are coming up on the end of winter: meteorological spring begins in 15 days. Our daylight hours bottomed out on December 21 at just a few seconds under 9 hours; today we’ll get just over 10.5 hours. It’s a great time to be a phenologist, looking for hints among the snow of sap flowing, of buds swelling, and of birds migrating.
Many of us are also seeing signs of resurgent interest in groups of visitors scheduling visits to campus in the coming weeks and months. It’ll likely be a lighter schedule than in April and May of 2019, but it’ll be far livelier than the springs of 2020 and 2021, the field-trip years the locusts have eaten.
Spring, the bungee-cord season, is everywhere a fickle thing, including in Wisconsin examples of February thaws followed by
Fathers’ Day frosts. But with booster shots in the arm, N95s on the face, and eyes open to the future, I’m looking forward to where we might be in a month or three.
Thanks!
Tom Zinnen
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Coming Up This Week and This Month
1. During the spring semester, Science Alliance meets at 10:00 am Mondays, including today, Monday February 14. Please Note: We will be
meeting by Zoom on February 14 and for the coming few weeks.
• Science Expeditions 2022 Planning
Publicity
Communications
Venues
Presenters in Person
Virtual/Hybrid Options
• Other Business
• Next Meeting: February 21 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.
• 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.
• Weekly Reminder: Please Post your science outreach events and Check for Other Science Events presented online and available to all at http://today.wisc.edu/events/tag/science
Tuesday, February 15, noon, “Investing 101” with Linda Lepe, Certified Financial Planner, Director of Consumer Finance & Financial Planning
Tuesday February 22, 3pm. “Supporting the Growth of Wisconsin’s Maple Syrup Industry” with Jeremy Solin, Maple Syrup Project Manager for the Division ofExtension
• The UW Now on YouTube February 15: “Inflation, the Federal Reserve’s Dilemma, and the Stock Market” featuring Kim Ruhl, Economics; Mike Stohler, chief investment officer of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association; and Brad Tank, chief investment officer, Neuberger Berman
• Saturday February 19 LEGO Build with Dane County 4-H hosted by UW Space Place, 2300 S. Park Street. Please register at danecounty4H.org.
• 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. This week Bob Schneiker drills into the issue of Protecting Groundwater from Leaching Soil Contamination.
3. Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) Offers an NSF-funded “Research Experience for Teachers (RET)” This Summer
Dear Science Alliance Outreachers,
I am hoping you can help spread the word about the MSREC Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program that will be in-person and on the UW-Madison campus this summer.
4. Science Immersion Day is tomorrow, February 15, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm at the Biotech Center and the Discovery Building. Thanks to Liz Jesse, Maxine Yu, Anne Lynn Gillian-Daniel, John Yin and Julia Nepper for leading hands-on explorations in biology, chemistry, and engineering with 70 5th/6th grade students and 17 accompanying teachers from 17 school districts that are part of the Southern Lakes Advanced Learners Network. Tom Browne of CALS will welcome the group, and students from Women in Science and Engineering and from Biological Systems Engineering, among others, will chat with the visitors over lunchtime.
5. ROSE Community STEM Fellows at Edgewood College
Hi Everyone!
My name is Sarah Stoehr and I coordinate the Resources & Opportunities in Science Education (ROSE) Project for the Office of Science Outreach at Edgewood College. We are looking for science experts for two of our
ROSE Community STEM Fellows sessions this semester. We had a virtual session for January and will have a virtual session in February, due to Covid. However, we are hoping (and planning) to have in-person sessions in March, April, and May. If you are interested in being a science expert for the March or May session, please email Sarah @
sstoehr@edgewood.edu with the date and any activity ideas you have. Science experts are paid a $100 honorarium for their instruction and planning time. The available dates are:
Thurs, March 17th from 6-8 p.m. in Sonderegger Science Building (1st hour: adult activity & 2nd hour: children activity (can be similar activities))
Thurs, May 19th from 6~7:30 p.m. in Sonderegger Science Building (1st hour: adults & 2nd hour: children (can be similar activities) then CAKE!! for our end of year celebration)
Thank you in advance for your consideration, and please let me know if you have any questions!
Sarah Stoehr, ROSE Project Coordinator
(608) 663-4150
6. Share Your Science at the Family Science Night Wednesday March 16 at CH Bird Elementary School in Sun Prairie 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Hello UW Science Alliance,
I am a parent at Sun Prairie CH Bird Elementary School PTO group. We are organizing our annual Family Science Night on March 16 from 5:30-7pm. Researchers & outreachers, please email me a note at adreakwong@gmail.com to register your Exploration Station geared for Elementary students and their families. Please include a title and a short description of the activity.
Also, please share this invitation with your colleagues and across your networks. We’re looking forward to welcoming many of you to Bird Elementary for an evening of sharing and exploring science!
Thank you,
Andrea Kwong
CH Bird Elementary School PTO
7. Data Science Research Bazaar Running Online through February 23. Register Today!
UW–Madison’s Data Science Hub is hosting its third annual
Data Science Research Bazaar, focused on the theme of
Data and Communities: Sharing and Protecting Data. This event will be held virtually throughout February.
The Research Bazaar will include lightning talks and interactive discussions on a variety of topics relating to how communities use and are impacted by data, and workshops focused on tools and resources including RStudio Connect, Jupyter Notebooks, and the Hathi Trust Digital Library. In addition, it will feature a career panel and an exhibit of art relating to science and technology.
The Data Science Research Bazaar is an inclusive, community-building event at UW–Madison for researchers, data scientists, entrepreneurs, and community members, including students. While there is no cost to attend, pre-registration is required. View the full
schedule and
register here.
UW-Madison’s Data Science Research Bazaar is modeled off the international Research Bazaar, a worldwide festival that promotes digital literacy in research and aims to equip researchers with digital skills and tools to do their work more efficiently.
For more information:
8. Leigh Kohlmann of Waupun Wins Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics And Science Teaching
The White House announced last week that Leigh Kohlmann, a teacher at Rock River Intermediate School in Waupun, is the Wisconsin Awardee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching! Leigh is also a National Board Certified Teacher who will be presenting a session on National Board Certification at the 2022 WSST (Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers) conference in Wausau.
9. Explore Pharmacy Careers at UW-Madison School of Pharmacy
The Doctor of Pharmacy program is hosting several events that will help attendees learn more about pharmacy careers and the renowned PharmD program at UW–Madison. Many of these are virtual, allowing greater access to interested students around the world. However, there’s nothing like an in-person experience. If you’d like a face-to-face conversation, we’d love to have you visit us at the School of Pharmacy.
February 17:
Mock Interview Session (virtual) — Intended for students interested in applying to our PharmD program this cycle or next, these sessions give applicants the opportunity to prepare for their interview with current PharmD students. This is thelast mock interview session of the academic year.
REGISTER March 5:
Pharmacist Career Exploration Day (in-person) — This session is in-person event is a great opportunity to hear directly from practicing pharmacists, faculty, and students about the wide variety of exciting pharmacy career paths.
REGISTER
If you have any questions about the above events please contact Lindsey DeCarlo,
lindsey.decarlo@wisc.edu Lindsey DeCarlo
Pronouns: she, her, hers
PharmD Recruitment and Event Coordinator | Student & Academic Affairs
School of Pharmacy | University of Wisconsin – Madison
2220 Rennebohm Hall | 777 Highland Avenue | Madison, WI 53705
P: (608) 263-4860 | F: (608) 262-3943 |
www.pharmacy.wisc.edu
10. A Mid-Winter’s Day Garden Series Runs Weekly Through February 26 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
11. UniverCity Alliance (UCA) is partnering with the American Geophysical Union through its “Thriving Earth Exchange” program to launch in April 2022 the next cohort of community science projects in Wisconsin.
#1: Help us find projects in Wisconsin communities. We need local or regional governments, tribal governments, community-based organizations, grassroots organizations and other advocacy or non-profit groups to let us know what geotechnical projects keep them up at night. We will share these projects with local and national experts who can help formulate solutions with your community. Encourage your community to apply by March 1 to join the April 2022 community science project cohort!
#2: Help us find people who can manage the projects: We need volunteer Community Science Fellows to be the glue that holds the project team together by serving as project managers, facilitators and connectors. They represent cohort of people from all backgrounds and career stages interested in growing their practice of community science while guiding project from idea to impact. Apply by March 1 to be a Community Science Fellow!
In addition to projects from Wisconsin communities, we’re looking for people who may be interested in volunteering to manage the projects. These Community Science Fellows don’t necessarily have to have a background in science and could be folks with great project management, facilitator and connector skills.
There’s more information on our website
here, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. If you’re able to share this with anyone who might be interested, that would be great!
Thanks!
Best,
Abby Becker
It’s official! The Wonders of Physics shows will be performed during Science Expeditions this year. The risks are just too high right now (when we need to be rehearsing) to be able to put on the show in February. We will be sending out an email to our list of 6500+ subscribers this week announcing the change as well as highlighting Science Expeditions taking place on the same weekend. Another email will be sent to the same list in late February or early March alerting people that tickets sales are open.
We will do four shows inside Chamberlin, in room 2103, but also hope to livestream them as well. The shows will be 1pm and 4pm on 4/9 & 4/10. The Physics Fair is moving to 4/9 from 11am-4pm as well.
Thanks!
Haddie
Haddie McLean (she/her)
Outreach Specialist-Wonders of Physics
UW-Madison Physics Department
608-262-2927
Free tickets for the Wonders of Physics are recommended and are available after January 1st using the
On-Line Ticket Form.
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 now re-scheduled from February 12 to Saturday, April 9 from 11am – 4pm in Chamberlin Hall as part of UW Science Expeditions.
13. 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) for questions or suggestions. Sign up at the spreadsheet
here.
14. The 2022 WI KidWind Challenge Comes to UW-Madison February 26!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 is co-organized by the Wisconsin Energy Institute and will take place on
Saturday, February 26 at the Discovery Building at the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus. Learn more
here.
Allison Bender
Outreach Coordinator
Wisconsin Energy Institute | Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center
608.890.0946
agbender@wisc.edu1552 University Ave, Madison WI, Room 2160University of Wisconsin–Madison
Saturday, February 19. Ecological Restoration Work Party: Grady Tract.
Meet at Grady Tract parking lot (SE corner, Seminole Highway &West Beltline Frontage Rd).
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Sunday, February 20. Nature Hike. 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 26. Ecological Restoration Work Party: Core Area and Curtis Prairie.
Meet at the Visitor Center. 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Sunday, February 27. Garden Stroll. 1 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
16. Events from Madison Friends of Urban NatureSpecifics: “Nature in Winter” Wed Feb 16, 10am Senior Bird and Nature Adventure with School Naturalist Nancy Fonzen (
Note: cancelled)
“Maple Syruping” Sat Feb 19, 10am along Starkweather Creek with Master Naturalist Alex Singer
“A New Kind of Winter” Sun Feb 20, 1:30pm at Warner Park Rainbow Shelter with Master Naturalist Kathlean Wolf
“Architecture of Trees” Sat Feb 26, 10am at Edna Taylor/Aldo Leopold Nature Center with Master Naturalist JoAnn Riecke
“Pheasant Branch Ecosystems” Sat Feb 26, 1:30pm at Pheasant Branch Prairie with Master Naturalist Eva Roos
“Winter Birds” Sun Feb 27, 1:30pm at UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve with Enthused Birder Chuck Henrikson
17. 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.eduFran 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
18. More from Madison FUN Friends of Urban Nature
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