UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater – April 3, 2023

UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater

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Monday 3 April 2023

 Hi Everyone,

This past Thursday was one of the best days every year:  it was the date of the release of the Timetables and Maps and of the Exhibit Guide for UW Science Expeditions April 14-16.   Three days, two dozen venues, four score or more of Exploration Stations, and several hundred volunteers come together to invite and welcome the public to come visit many of the science places & programs here on the campus of Wisconsin’s public land-grant university.

Science Expeditions is an act of hospitality, in part because hospitality is reciprocal:  If we as university scholars hope to be invited into communities around Wisconsin, then in turn we have the happy work of welcoming the public to campus.

But Science Expeditions is also a “trellis event” upon which we help grow the vine that is the community of science outreachers at UW-Madison.  The planning and production of the three days of Science Expeditions is way to build connections and to cultivate relationships all year round, and thereby help grow our capacity for fulfilling the public service mission of the university.

I’d be grateful if you would please share with your friends and networks the links to the Timetables & Maps and to the Exhibit Guide, and in your own way extend a welcoming invitation to come experience science as exploring the unknown here at UW Science Expeditions on April 14-16.

Thanks again for sharing your insights & experience with our visitors to UW-Madison.

Tom Zinnen

 

Coming Up This Week and This Coming Month

1.  The UW-Madison Science Alliance meets Mondays at 10:00 am by Zoom.  Our next meeting is today, Monday, April 3.

 The Zoom link for the spring meetings of Science Alliance will continue to be: https://zoom.us/my/glbrc.weieducation.vmr?pwd=L2Q0L0g0S3lEd2gyazNscjA1d2JYZz09

The draft agenda for April 3, 2023 at 10 am includes:•  Welcome•  Updates 

•  Planning the 21st Annual UW Science Expeditions April 14-16, 2023

         Budget Report:  Tom Zinnen

Communications:  Lindsey DeCarlo, Wes Marner

         Publicity: Liz Jesse, Haddie McLean 

         Venues:  Ana Garic, Drew Lakuta, Jennifer Mitchell

         Presenters:  Allison Bender, Val Blair, Liz Jesse 

•  Other Business

•  Meet next on Monday, April 10, 2023, 10 am, by zoom.

 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:  Watch in-person, or online live or in archive at  https://www.facebook.com/BadgerTalks/live_videos/  and check the schedule for Badger Talks LIVE and In-Person Badger Talks live or online are listed at  https://badgertalks.wisc.edu/events/.  Also, check out the current schedule of In-Person Badger Talks occurring in communities across Wisconsin.   And you can join the new BadgerTalks Facebook page here.  

• “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 April 5 Maia Persche of Forest & Wildlife Ecology speaks on “Cascading Effects of Open Oak Woodland Restoration on Forest Arthropods & Songbirds.”

• PLATO Frontiers in Life Sciences takes place at UW Space Place, 2300 S. Park St,  on Wednesdays at 1pm.  Zoom at https://go.wisc.edu/27448v .  On April 5 Samantha Bath of the Institute for Clinical & Translational Research speaks on “Becoming One in A Million with ‘All of Us’

3.  Researchers & Outreachers:  Please Spread the Word to Invite Your Friends, Neighbors & Networks to the 

21st Annual   #UWScienceExpeditions Campus Open House April 14-16

https://science.wisc.edu/science-expeditions

5. Spring Garden Preview at Allen Centennial Garden April 22 from 1 to 4pm

6. Open House April 14 to Celebrate the Expansion & Renovations at Babcock Hall

Campus and community members are invited to visit Babcock Hall’s new and improved facilities – which include a renovated Babcock Hall Dairy Plant and a three-story addition for the Center for Dairy Research – during a public open house 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14 at Babcock Hall on the UW–Madison campus.

The event features an interactive self-guided tour highlighting the building’s new state-of-the-art spaces. During the tour, participants will get to explore the largest dairy research center in the United States, and learn about the products manufactured in the UW Dairy Plant. The tour’s seven stations will feature an array of samples, including Babcock ice cream, along with tastings of various dairy products the CDR has been involved in developing.

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7. MADISON BIRD AND NATURE FESTIVAL on Sunday April 23 from Noon to 4pm

UW Science Alliance and other groups are invited to have free outdoor table space at the 11th Annual Madison Bird and Nature Festival at the Warner Park Rainbow Shelter on Sunday April 23, noon-4.  This is a free city wide inclusive fun educational community event celebrating Earth Week, Arbor Day, International Bird Day and All Things Nature. Last year 700 people including lots of families and kids enjoyed the ongoing Open Door Bird Sanctuary Live Raptor Show and visiting about 25 parks, community, education and nature group table exhibits, short guided-nature-walks, food cart, music and lots of fun kids nature games and hands-on activities.

This event is a lot like UW Science Expeditions so bring your ready-to-go Exploration Station or activity and use it again!  Come for all or part of the afternoon.  Some tables are provided, but please bring a table if you can and paper weights if it’s windy.  Canopies are ok if not windy.  Student volunteers are welcome.  Email Paul_Noeldner@hotmail.com or call 608-698-0104 to let him know who can come and your contact info to send additional details. Last minute is ok.

Please share this invitation.

Thanks for Helping Connect Madison area Communities and Kids with Learning About Nature!

Paul Noeldner

Volunteer Madison FUN Coordinator

Wisconsin Master Naturalist Instructor

136 Kensington Maple Bluff

paul_noeldner@hotmail.com

608 698 0104

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8. Opportunities to Share Science with the Public in May at the Discovery Building, 330 N. Orchard St

Hello!  We have some exciting opportunities to share science with the public coming up that we’d love to have you be a part of. Read on for all the details. ?

May 3 EXPO (hands-on science activities) 

Audience: 500 elementary aged students from MMSD in grades 1, 4, 6

Location: Discovery Building

Timing: 2 shifts (you can sign up for 1 shift or both!)

Shifts: 10:00-11:30am AND/OR 12:00-1:30pm

May 3 JUNIOR SCIENCE CAFÉ (informal conversations about your science career, led by student questions)

Audience: small groups of 6th graders

Location: Discovery Building

Timing: 4 shifts (you can sign up for 1, 2, 3 or all shifts!)

Shifts: 10:15-10:45am, 10:45-11:15am, 12:15-12:45pm, 12:45-1:15pm

To sign up for either opportunity, click here, or reply to this email to let me know.

https://warf.wufoo.com/forms/z1bvrk8b15i7rtl/

Questions? Reach out to Val Blair at vblair@morgridge.org

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9. Inviting Volunteers to Serve as Judges for Midwest GLOBE Symposium April 22 at Union South

Would you be willing to serve as a judge for the Midwest GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment, www.globe.gov) Student Research Symposium (SRS) on Saturday April 22 during 9-11:30AM in the Agriculture and Industry rooms of Union South at UW-Madison?

Middle and high school students from Midwest US schools will be presenting posters on their GLOBE citizen science work, usually focused on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, pedosphere, and/or biosphere.  The judging work would largely consist of viewing students’ posters, offering encouraging feedback and suggestions to the students, and then a reviewer deliberation.

Thank you for considering this invitation!

Michael Notaro

Director

Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Phone: (608) 261-1503

Email: mnotaro@wisc.edu

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10. Wisconsin Landscapes:  Art and Science Fusion Workshop at the UW Arboretum April 8, 15 or 22

Interested in insects? plants? water? Wisconsin landscapes? If so, come to a Wisconsin Landscapes: Art and Science Fusion Workshop at the Arboretum on April 8, 15, or 22 from 1-3 PM. The workshop will combine an educational nature hike where we will discuss the reciprocal relationship between water, plants, and insects/animals, followed by an art project where participants will construct a visual art piece. The events are free, but require registration.

These events are hosted by the Arboretum and Kohler Fellows at WID, and will be led by Anna Gregory and Praveen Maripelly. Anna Gregory, a graduate student in the Hryckowian Lab at UW–Madison, studies the gut microbiome. Praveen Maripelly, is a first-generation college student pursuing his second graduate degree MFA-4D at UW-Madison with performance-based interdisciplinary social projects. Through these events, Anna and Praveen hope to demonstrate the interconnectedness of science and art by highlighting how both are present in nature.

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11. Sauk Trail Elementary School in Middleton Is Hosting a STEM Fair on Thursday, April 13 from 5:00-7:00 PM.

The organizers would be delighted to welcome your hands-on Exploration Station for kids & families.To sign up, please contact Kathleen Franzen at kefranzen@gmail.com

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12. Opportunities in Quantum Science

Apply to Participate in TeachQuantum

The Department of Physics is excited to start accepting applications for TeachQuantum, an NSF-funded 6-week summer program that immerses middle and high school STEM teachers in real quantum science and supports quantum curriculum development. Applications are available on the TeachQuantum website and are due on April 21st, 2023. All questions about the program or applying can be directed to mallory.conlon@wisc.edu.

Celebrate World Quantum Day 2023 with QuanTime!

Interested in adding quantum science to your classroom but unsure where to begin? Join the National Q-12 Education Partnership for QuanTime, an international event dedicated to celebrating quantum science and making it accessible to all. Registration to receive free activity kits is now open on the QuanTime website! Any questions can be directed to mallory.conlon@wisc.edu.

Quantum-to-Go

Quantum information science is a booming field, but what is it and what are possible career paths? We invite you to join the Quantum To-Go program, where you’ll be matched with quantum professionals that will introduce the importance of quantum science and technologies and share their experiences and career paths in quantum. All visits will be virtual and take place during the month of April 2023 to celebrate World Quantum Day on April 14, 2023. You and your matched scientist will work out specific dates, times, and details for your visit. Sign up here: https://quantum2go.org

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13. BioCore Outreach Ambassadors “Summer Science Camp” at Wisconsin Heights School June 12-16

The BioCore Outreach Ambassadors are seeking presenters for their annual “Summer Science Camp” the week of June 12-16 at the Wisconsin Heights School.  Camp runs from 8:30 noon each day, except on Thursday it runs 8:30 to 3:00.  They can provide travel, and lunch will be provided.  They can also provide 2-3 BOA volunteers to any science outreacher who wants to participate but needs a few extra hands.  For more information, contact Daniel Parrell at  dparrell@wisc.edu

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14. Ag Discovery Day May 2 at State Fair Park

Kari Schoenike is the Agriculture Education Manager at Wisconsin State Fair Park planning the first Ag Discovery Day at the Fair Park, scheduled for May 2, 2023. They’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response from area schools and have about 1000 students plus their teachers and chaperones scheduled to attend. The goal of the day is for students to immerse themselves in agriculture and experience hands-on learning.  If your program would have staff or volunteers available to host 2 learning stations focused on ag-related topics at this event (the same station content, just delivered in two locations; because of the large response, we are running 2 concurrent locations of the same stations), please contact Kari Schoenike.  Thanks for your consideration!

Kari Schoenike (she/her)Agriculture Education ManagerWisconsin State Fair ParkP: 414.266.7150  C: 414.640.7661  E: kari.schoenike@wistatefair.com

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15. Mark Your Calendars for April 17 at 5:30 PM at the Discovery Building, 330 N. Orchard St, Madison WI

Or zoom at bit.ly/Thorp-at-UW

 

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16?. Rediscover the Joy and Fun of Learning Together at Remake Learning Badgerland Days April 21-29

Explore hands-on educational experiences for youth and families across southern Wisconsin!

From Greater Madison to Stateline and beyond, a community of arts, education, libraries and cultural organizations are coming together to provide exciting in-person, hands-on and virtual learning experiences for youth and families.

Find out more here and sign up your event here.

 

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17. The Badger Precollege K-12 Program for DCS is recruiting instructors for 2023 summer programs.

We hire UW Madison instructors, staff and graduate students to teach in our program and provide stipends according to the Badger Precollege compensation rates. Please find a list of roles and links to apply here. There are separate links for graduate students (student jobs) and staff/instructors (wisc.jobs); however, the student jobs postings have additional course details. Do let me know if you have any questions, and thanks for passing this information along to your contacts. 

Best wishes,

Chris 

Christopher Pevey Harry, Assistant Dean

Director of Precollege ServicesBadger Precollege

Division of Continuing Studies

21 N. Park Street

University of Wisconsin-Madison

608-265-1045

Christopher.peveyharry@wisc.edu

https://precollege.wisc.edu/

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18. Edgewood College Summer Camps have a few spaces remaining:  see https://www.edgewood.edu/outreach/science/summer-camps

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19. #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.

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20. 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.

The calendar of upcoming science outreach at schools is at https://teamup.com/ks37f37f6a8028e6d0

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21. “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.

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22.  UW Arboretum Spring 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.

  1. Nature Walks — Every Sunday at 1 p.m., learn about the land, plants, and animals from local naturalists.
  2. Nature Hikes — On the first and third Sundays of the month, adults are invited on these longer walks.
  3. Family Nature Walks — On the second Sunday of the month, families can explore the arboretum with a guide.
  4. 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/

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23. Events from Madison Friends of Urban Nature

APRIL 2023 ADVENTURE CALENDAR

Sat Apr 08 2:30     “Pasture to Prairie” at Owen Park with Beth Whitaker/Si Widstrand/Eva Roos

Sun Apr 09 1:30    “Looking for Ephemerals” at Turville Point with Alex Singer

Wed Apr 19 1:30   “Signs of Spring” Senior Adventure at ALNC/Edna Taylor with JoAnn Riecke

Sat Apr 15 10am   “Earth Week Creek Cleanups” at Starkweather Creek with James Winkelman

Sat Apr 22 10am   “Earth Week Creek Cleanups” at Starkweather Creek with James Winkelman

Sun Apr 16 1:30    “Spring Ephemerals” at Warner Park with Alex Singer

Sat Apr 22 10am   “Do You Hear a Frog” at ALNC/Edna Taylor with Doug Davis

Sat Apr 22 1:30     “Signs of Spring” at Pheasant Branch Prairie with JoAnn Riecke

Sun Apr 23 1:30    “Wildflower Wander” at Lakeshore Nature Preserve with Glenda Denniston/Eve Emshwiller

Sun Apr 23 12-4    “Madison Bird and Nature Festival” at Warner Park with Open Door Bird Sanctuary

  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.

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

paul_noeldner@hotmail.com

608 698 0104

For more events, see https://cityofmadison.com/parks/events/bird-nature.cfm

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