UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
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Monday 5 December 2022
Hi Everyone,
December brings the start of winter, the bottoming-out of our six-month stretch of shortening daylength, and the end of the academic semester. On Sunday University Bay hosted migrating arctic swans and coots and, most surprising to me, laggard robins. Some of these travelers may linger several weeks longer, since the median date for ice-over on Mendota is December 20.
Even as we’re wrapping up 2022, you can see below some of the events that many of our colleagues in science outreach are already cranking up for 2023 on campus and across Wisconsin, including:
IceCube Afterschool starting January 12;
Sauk County Wisconsin 4-H Super Saturday on January 28 in Baraboo;
the statewide 4-H Meats Judging Competition on February 4 in the new Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery building;
the 40th year of the Wonders of Physics show on Feb 11, 12, 18 and 19;
the Science Immersion Day on campus with the Southern Lakes Advanced Learning Network on February 14;
the Wisconsin 4-H Fond du Lac County Family Learning Day on February 25; and
participating in the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers meeting in Madison on March 9-11.
At the Science Alliance meetings on Mondays at 10, we’re shifting into a higher gear in planning the communications, venues, publicity, and presenters for the 21st Annual UW Science Expeditions campus open house coming up on April 14-16. If you’d like to add your time & talents to help organize Science Expeditions, the planning committee would be delighted to welcome you to participate in our Monday zoom meetings or to join of any of the four subcommittees.
Lastly, if you have events or notices you’d like to share here, please send me an email and include #Updater as part of the subject line. It’s another way you can contribute to the vibrancy of the science outreach mission here at UW-Madison.
Thanks again!
Tom Zinnen
Reminder: Please Post your science outreach events at http://today.wisc.edu/events/tag/science
==Coming Up This Week and This Coming Month
1. The UW-Madison Science Alliance meets on most Mondays at 10:00 am by Zoom. Our next meeting is Monday, December 5.
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 December 5 at 10 am includes:• Welcome• Updates
• Planning the 21st Annual UW Science Expeditions April 14-16, 2023
Sign up for committees Here
Budget Report
Communications
Publicity
Venues
Presenters
• Other Business
• Meet next on Monday, December 12, 10 am
Proposal to offer
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.
• Saturday Science Workshops at UW Space Place nearly every Saturday, 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 for Badger Talks LIVE and In-Person Badger Talks at https://badgertalks.wisc.edu/events/. Badger Talks LIVE is on hiatus in December & January and will resume in February 2023. Check back here for the schedule to be posted in early January. Meanwhile, check out the current schedule of In-Person Badger Talks occurring in communities across Wisconsin.
• “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. On December 7 Mitchell Ramuta of the Dave O’Connor Lab and Cellular & Molecular Biology will speak on “Pulling Viruses Out of Thin Air.”
3. WISCIENCE is Hiring a Program Coordinator.
Applications Due December 9
https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/516153/wiscience-program-coordinator
The WISCIENCE Program Coordinator works collaboratively with program directors to provide intellectual, programmatic, and organizational support for several WISCIENCE programs and courses. See job description for details.
4. Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers Annual Convention Will Be in Madison on March 9-11, 2023.
See the schedule for submitting proposals for workshops at https://wsst.org/2023-conference.
Deadline: Sessions & Snapshots – December 15, 2022Please remember that it is WSST Policy that:– All presenters must register for the conference.– No products for services can be offered for sale at the workshops or sessions.– Half-day and full-day workshop fees cannot include a stipend for presenters to cover transportation/lodging costs.Please contact WSST Conference Chairs Corinne Michor <corinne.michor@gmail.com> or Patrick Mootz <patrickmootz@gmail.com> with any questions.
5. #MakeClimateAClass Initiative Coming in April for Earth Month
#MakeClimateAClass is part of a larger event the Wisconsin Energy Institute hosts called the Worldwide Teach-In on Climate Justice. #MakeClimateAClass encourages engagement with climate-related issues by having instructional faculty speak on how climate is integrated into their discipline for 10-30 minutes during a class sometime in April.
If you are interested in taking part in this initiative, please provide your contact information and details about your Spring 2023 courses in this Google Form. For more information and resources, visit the UW–Madison Teach-In landing page.
Sent by Marina Kerekes of WEI.
6. IceCube After School January 12 to March 2
Sent by Ellen Bechtol of WIPAC.
7. Schedule of December Premiers of PBS Wisconsin University Place Public Talks
Watch University Place 20+ times a week on the Wisconsin Channel (PBS Wisconsin-2) or anytime, anywhere online.Provided by Tina Hauser Fatke of PBS Wisconsin.
8. UW-Madison Wisconsin 4-H State Meats Judging Contest on Campus on Saturday February 4
Info at https://Tinyurl.com/5d6yfhup
Coordinated by Bernie O’Rourke, Extension Youth Livestock Specialist; and Jeff Sindelar, Extension Meats Specialist, both of the Dept of Animal & Dairy Sciences; and Jill Jorgensen, Extension 4-H Youth Development Agriculture Specialist
9. Inviting Presenters for Sauk County Wisconsin 4-H’s “Super Saturday” January 28 in Baraboo
Super Saturday will welcome ~150 Sauk County 4-H youth to Baraboo. Most members are K-8th grade, plus we’re engaging about 20 youth high school youth to teach sessions. Sessions are all-encompassing from arts, animals, baking, robotics and sciences!
All participants register for the event and rank the sessions they want to attend. They are assigned 4 sessions based on availability.
Each session is an hour long. The draft timetable is as follows:
8:30 Registration
9:00 Welcome
9:20-10:20 1st Session
10:25-11:25 2nd Session
11:30-12:15 Lunch
12:20-1:20 3rd Session
1:25-2:25 4th Session
2:30-2:45 Evaluations & Wrap-up
Sauk County Wisconsin 4-H can reimburse for mileage and supplies.
To register to present, send an email to Sparsons4@wisc.edu
Posted by:
Stacy Parsons
4-H Youth Development Educator
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Extension Sauk County
Office: 608-355-3255
Work Cell: 608-963-1889
10. Check Out the 2022-2023 “Family Science Nights” Opportunities:
https://gasch.genetics.wisc.edu/outreach/family-science-nights/.
Researchers & Outreachers, if you’d like to help with Family Science Nights over the coming months, please sign up here.
Parents & Teachers, if you’d like help in inviting UW researchers & outreachers to participate in your Family Science event, please sign up here.
11. “The Physics of Climate Change” Invites STEM Teachers to Collaborate
Are you a STEM teacher interested in incorporating climate science concepts into your curriculum but don’t know where to start?
The Physics of Climate Change project, a collaboration between the UW–Madison Department of Physics and Wisconsin’s 4-H program sponsored by the Wisconsin Idea Collaboration Grant, has you covered! Adding climate science concepts into your curriculum this school year is made easy with an engaging activity, easy-to-use teacher materials, and in-class support from the project team.
If you are interested in having the project team join your class for a session during the 2022-23 school year, or if you’re simply interested in receiving the activity instructions, please fill out this form.
Please reach out to Mallory Conlon (mallory.conlon@wisc.edu) with any questions.
12. Fond du Lac County 4-H Family Learning Day is Saturday, February 25.
4-H Family Learning Day is February 25 at the Fond du Lac Campus of UW-Oshkosh. We are looking for presenters to teach sessions, including in STEM fields.
Family Learning Day is an opportunity for 4-H members (grades K-12) and the community to learn a new skill. Please help make this day a success by volunteering to teach a session or two. If you need help with your session, invite another person to co-teach with you. The program is held at UW-Oshkosh’s campus at Fond du Lac. 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.
Here’s the 4-H Family Learning Day Presenter form: https://go.wisc.edu/familylearningday2023presenter.
Please let Tina Engelhardt know if you have any questions.
Tina Engelhardt
Program Assistant
UW-Madison Extension Fond du Lac County
Phone: (920) 929-3171
Fax: (920) 929-3181
Hearing Impaired Relay: 711
https://fonddulac.extension.wisc.edu/
13. UW Arboretum Winter 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 Prairie, 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.
UW Arboretum Events
See Arboretum events calendar for details and registration: https://arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/
14. Events from Madison Friends of Urban Nature
Thank You for helping to publicize Madison FUN Bird and Nature Adventures, now entering our 10th Year!
Your support for these volunteer-led year-round weekly outings helps make Madison a welcoming, vibrant and healthy place for both people and nature.
DECEMBER QUICK CALENDAR
“Nature as Classroom” Sat Dec 10, 2:30pm at Owen Conservation Park with Beth Whitaker“Magic of Winter” Sun Dec 11 1:30pm at Turville Point with Andria Blattner“Gifts for the Wild” Wed Dec 21 1:30pm Senior Adventure at Warner Park Center with Kathlean Wolf“Winter Tree ID” Sat Dec 17, 10am along Starkweather Creek with Eva Roos“The Longest Night” Sun Dec 18, 1:30pm at Warner Park Rainbow Shelter with Robin Kling“Natures Gifts” Sat Dec 24, 10am at Aldo Leopold/Edna Taylor with Paul Noeldner“Signs of Life” Sat Dec 24, 1:30pm at Pheasant Branch Conservancy with Alex Singer“Favorite Places” Sun Dec 25, 1:30pm at Picnic Point with Friends of Lakeshore Nature Preserve“New Year’s Family Walk” Sat Dec 31, 6:30pm at Aldo Leopold/Edna Taylor with JoAnn Rieke
WHAT ARE BIRD AND NATURE ADVENTURES?
* Join the FUN with Friends of Urban Nature on Parks and Partners co-sponsored outings!
* Free Naturalist Guided outings are offered in local parks and natural areas year round
* Outings are fun, welcoming, diverse, accessible and family and kid friendly
* Enjoy healthy nature recreation with a bit of fascinating nature education
HOW CAN WE JOIN THE FUN?
* Just show up, no registration unless noted
* Dress for an outdoor walk, outings are rain or shine unless weather is dangerous
* See monthly outing publicity at http://CityofMadison.com/Parks/Events/Bird-Nature.cfm and co-sponsor social media
* Find trail maps, fun facts and activities at http://Tinyurl.com/MadisonFUNAdventures
* Connect with parks, environmental and friends groups for more great activities
* Support natural areas in every yard, park and neighborhood for kids, birds, bees, and wildlife!
THANKS EVERYBODY!
Thanks for helping connect Madison area Communities and Kids with Nearby Nature!
Paul Noeldner
Volunteer Madison FUN Coordinator
Wisconsin Master Naturalist Instructor
136 Kensington Maple Bluff
For more events, see https://cityofmadison.com/parks/events/bird-nature.cfm