UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
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For 29 August 2022
Hi Everyone,
As August draws to a close the sunrise comes later, making it easier to get a longer night’s sleep. The students have moved back into the neighborhood around Adams & Garfield, and we’re all gearing up for the first Badger game of the fall at the Camp this Saturday. Classes start on September 7, and the UW Student Organization Fair runs September 13 and 14 from 5pm to 8pm at the Kohl Center.
Among other things, Universities are regenerative institutions. The Student Org Fair reminds us of our opportunities to cultivate the coming generation of scientists by inviting them to contribute their time and talents to the outreach mission of the university. Undergrads, whether at volunteers or as student hourlies, give outreach programs a built-in link to the students’ communities and schools back home. These connections can lead to what hockey folks call a home-and-home series: UW folks work with and visit a community venue, and then the community comes to visit and explore some of the spaces and places here on campus.
Even more splendidly, our undergrads get attuned to the happy expectation that public universities, and especially public land-grant research & extension universities such as UW-Madison, help speed the lifelong learning of folks of all ages wherever they live and whatever their aspirations. The fall is a season for harvesting, but it’s also a season of beginnings for inviting and engaging undergrads to be a part of the outreach work in the coming year.
Thanks again!
Tom Zinnen
===Coming Up This Week and This Coming Month
1. During the summer, Science Alliance meets episodically. We will resume meeting weekly starting on September 12 at 10am by zoom.
The Zoom link for the fall meetings of Science Alliance will continue to be: https://zoom.us/my/glbrc.weieducation.vmr?pwd=L2Q0L0g0S3lEd2gyazNscjA1d2JYZz09
The draft agenda for September 12 at 10 am includes:• Welcome• Updates
• Discussion of resuming in hybrid mode
• Wisconsin Science Festival Oct 10-16 Statewide
• Dane County 4-H STEAM Team’s “Science Fright Night” Thursday October 20 at UW Space Place
• Other Business
• Next Meeting: Monday, September 12, 10 am
As with the #Updater, the Science Alliance meeting notes are also archived on https://science.wisc.edu/science-alliance/.
2. Recurring Programming Events coming this week and soon.
• 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
• Saturday Science Workshops at UW Space Place Resume on September 10, from 10 am to 11 am.
These family-friendly events are always free and open to the public every Saturday morning during the school year. This program is held in person only at UW Space Place, 2300 S. Park St, Madison. The workshop starts promptly at 10:00 and is typically over by 11:00.
• Badger Talks Live: – Watch live and in archive at https://www.facebook.com/BadgerTalks/live_videos/ and check the schedule at https://badgertalks.wisc.edu/events/ . September’s theme is “The Latest on Cancer Research” and the next talk is September 13 at 12 noon with Dustin Deming, Associate Professor Medicine, Hematology-Oncology
• “Wednesday Nite @ The Lab” series of public science talks 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 (August 31) James Edward Mills of the Nelson Institute and of the Joy Trip Project speaks on “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors.”
3. Seeking Hands on Science Presenters AND Campus locations for the Wisconsin Science Festival!
a. Indoor/Outdoor In-Person hands-on science at the Festival:
Join us at the Discovery Expo in the Discovery Building on October 12 and October 15 from 10am-1pm and outside on State St as part of the Science On the Square event from 4-8pm on Friday, October 14. To submit your station details, here is the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1i9GoR9nxz2sBFwb3KzerrDDz6XYCPVHt5uZi-V7IjWwfYA/viewform
Deadline for station details is mid August.
b. Want to have groups of students/teachers come to your building/space in small groups on Wednesday October 12?
During the Discovery Expo, we will have many students on campus with their teachers. Sometimes they are interested in seeing another part of campus after/before their time at the Discovery Expo. In the past, we have helped to coordinate options for them – like stopping at the learning lobby of the Primate Center or visiting Allen Gardens. If you would like to open your doors to groups of youth during the Festival, email Sam Mulrooney (Mulrooney, Samantha SMulrooney@warf.org) with the following information:
Location address
Size of group you have at one time
Age/grades that would be the best fit
Length of time you’d want the group on site
4. The “Resources and Opportunities for Science Education” ( The ROSE Project) will be starting up for the 2022/23 school year on Wednesday September 7th at Edgewood College just west of the UW Campus on Monroe Street.
Edgewood Science Outreach ROSE Project
5. The Madison Public Library is launching its new Naturalist in Residence Program with events at libraries throughout the city in September and October. Join naturalist John C. Newman on Saturday September 3 from 11 to noon at Lakeview Library. More information at
https://m.facebook.com/MadisonPublicLibrary/photos/a.10150905263578160/10159236837143160/?type=3
6. Interested in getting involved in Collegiate 4-H? Want to continue to lead & learn, to share & grow? Stop by the UW Collegiate 4-H booth at the UW-Madison Student Organization Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 13th, and Wednesday, Sept. 14th from 5 to 8 pm! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
7. Calumet County “Festival of Fun” on Saturday October 1 in Chilton at the Calumet County Courthouse.
UW-Madison’s Calumet County 4-H invites 50-minute hands-on science presentations, with sessions available at 9:00, 10:00 or 11:00 for 4-H Cloverbuds (grades K-2) and then also sessions at 1:00, 2:00 or 3:00 for older 4-H members (grades 3-8).
To register, please contact Carlea Liermann.
Carlea Liermann
4-H Program Educator
UW-Madison | Extension Calumet County
206 Court Street | Chilton, WI 53014-1127
8. Wisconsin 4-H Fall Forum Runs November 4-6 at the Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids.
Wisconsin 4-H’s Fall Forum is an opportunity for science outreachers to connect with youth and adult volunteers from all overs Wisconsin.
Register to offer a Friday Interactive Learning Activity Submission Friday Evening November 4.
Carlea Liermann
4-H Program Educator
UW-Madison | Extension Calumet County
206 Court Street | Chilton, WI 53014-1127
9. UW Arboretum Fall Events
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/
Taking a self-guided stroll is one way to explore the Arboretum on your own terms. Some of the most popular routes include the Grady Tract Loop, the Curtis Prarie, or a five mile loop through the whole arboretum. Always remember to stay on the paths to preserve wild plants + wear appropriate shoes.
You can also take one of the free guided nature walks offered for different skill levels and ages on a weekly basis. Most meet at the Visitor’s Center, located right in the heart of the arboretum.
- Nature Walks — Every Sunday at 1 p.m., learn about the land, plants, and animals from local naturalists.
- Nature Hikes — On the first and third Sundays of the month, adults are invited on these longer walks.
- Family Nature Walks — On the second Sunday of the month, families can explore the arboretum with a guide.
- Garden Strolls — On the fourth Sunday of the month, gently-paced strolls are offered with wheelchair-accessible routes.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Check out the calendar for monthly night walks, seasonal birding hikes + more family-friendly events.
The arboretum is open daily from 4 a.m.-10 p.m. and is always free.
10. Events from Madison Friends of Urban Nature
More events at https://cityofmadison.com/parks/events/bird-nature.cfm
SEPTEMBER BIRD AND NATURE ADVENTURE CALENDAR
“Pontoon Nature Tour” Sat Sep 03, 1pm at Tenney Park Pontoon Pier with Master Naturalist Robin Kling and Dane Gallaghe
“Summer Feasting” Sun Sep 04, 1:30pm at Cherokee Marsh North Unit with Master Naturalist Kathlean Wolf
“Monarchs and More” Sat Sep 10, 2:30pm at Owen Conservation Park with Arboretum Naturalist Sylvia Marek
“Early Fall Migration” Sun Sep 11 1:30pm at Turville Point Conservation Park with Birders Melissa Kesling and Chuck Henrikson
“What’s In the Pond” Wed Sep 21 1:30pm Senior Bird and Nature Adventure with School Naturalist Nancy Fonzen, register 608-222-3415
“Bike the Rain Gardens” Sat Sep 17, 10-4 from Goodman along Starkweather Creek with Master Naturalist James Winkelman
“Summer Feasting” Sun Sep 18, 1:30pm at Warner Park Rainbow Shelter with Master Naturalist Kathlean Wolf
“Walk Like a Crane” Sat Sep 24, 10am at Edna Taylor/Aldo Leopold Nature Center with International Crane Fundation’s Stephanie Schmidt
“Insect Superpowers” Sat Sep 24, 1:30pm at Pheasant Branch Prairie with UW Professor Marjorie Rhine
“Fascinating Fungi” Sun Sep 25, 1:30pm at UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve with UW Botany Instructor Marie Trest
HOW CAN I JOIN THE Friends of Urban Nature?
* Join the FUN with Friends of Urban Nature Parks and Partner Groups co-sponsored nature outings!
* Outings are FREE, healthy, welcoming, diverse and family and kid friendly
* Just show up, no registration required unless noted, rain or shine unless weather is dangerous; no pets
* See guided outing details below and at http://CityofMadison.com/Parks/Events/Bird-Nature.cfm
* Find maps, fun facts and activities for self-guided walks at http://Tinyurl.com/MadisonFUNAdventures
* Connect with outing co-sponsor parks, environmental and friends groups for more great nature activities!
September 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Ebling Symposium Center, Microbial Sciences
12. Dane County 4-H STEAM Team Invites Your Exploration Stations for the “Science Fright Night” Thursday, October 20 at UW Space Place
Fire up your carbon-dioxide cauldron, break out your luciferase light-sticks, or invent a new schtick with light, sound, color, smell or touch to add some shivers to your hands-on Exploration Station.
Contact Tom Zinnen at the Biotech Center, or Lisa Curley at Dane County UW-Madison Extension 4-H to register your interest and reserve a space. We’ll be outside in the dusk and dark, weather permitting, at 2300 S. Park Street. Hosted by UW Space Place and the Wisconsin Science Museum, both located in lower level of The Atrium at the Village on Park, 2300 S. Park St, Madison.