UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
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Monday 17 April 2023
Hi Everyone
It was sunny & 81 on Friday morning at 10 when the folks at the Hasler Limnology Lab opened UW Science Expeditions with the first Exploration Station of the day, and it was sleeting and 31 by Sunday afternoon at 4 when the final feather banners & sandwich boards came down at the Arboretum. Since Science Expeditions is in early April, we’re used to swings in the weather. This weekend was more like a bungee cord. But what a ride!
By the numbers, this 21st year of UW Science Expeditions spanned 3 days, with 30 destinations, 90 hands-on Exploration Stations, and over 300 scientists contributing the time & talents to talk with, to listen to, and share science with visitors of all ages. The weather was capricious but the hospitality was splendidly consistent.
In addition to hospitality, Science Expeditions as an open house is also about gratitude. I am grateful for all planners & participants who provided the Exploration Stations and presentations, and who help make the campus a welcoming place for engaging in science and with scientists not only during the three days of Science Expeditions but also throughout the other 362 days of the year. Among the planners are Haddie McLean, Sarah Perdue & Cierra Atkinson with Wonders of Physics, the Physics Fair & the Ingersoll Physics Museum; Richard Slaughter & Brooke Norsted at the Geology Museum; Alexa Ross at Atmospheric Oceanic & Space Sciences; Jordana Lenon at the Primate Center; Val Blair and Wes Marner at the Discovery Building; Adam Hinterthuer at the Hasler Lab; Johanna Oosterwyk at the DC Smith Greenhouse; Ingrid Jordan-Thaden at the Botany Greenhouse; Allison Bender at the Wisconsin Energy Institute; Jim Lattis and Kay Kriewald at the Washburn Observatory; Jaime Martindale at the Robinson Map Library; Carsyn Ames at the Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey; Jim Lacy of the State Cartographer’s office; Ana Garic and Drew Lokuta at the Health Sciences Learning Center; Jennifer Mitchell at the Arboretum; Melissa Zehner at One Alumni Place; Vhejing Xu in Biochemistry; Nimish Pujara at the Water Science & Engineering Building; Calvin Sinclair with the WI DNR Fishmobile; Doris Dubielzig with the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve; Craig Jacobsen and Amy Rosebrough of the Wisconsin Historical Society; Sujata Gautam with the Trash Lab; Chuck Cowie with the Wisconsin Science Museum; Lindsey DeCarlo, Hanna Rose Swan and Bonnie Fingerhut at the School of Pharmacy; Staci Lowe at the School of Nursing; and to Sue Medaris at Media Solutions.
At the Biotech Center and Wisconsin 4-H, I’m especially grateful to Dyllen Brewer for organizing the signage, to Elizabeth Moore for creating the Exhibit Guide, and to Di Francis for purchasing materials.
Finally, my great appreciation goes to Liz Jesse as the lead organizer of volunteers & venues and as the lead orchestrater of communications & promotions.
As I attest from time to time, I know of no fine place for sharing science with the public, and it is the combination of the people, places & programs here that help make this such a remarkable university for science outreach.
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 17.
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 17, 2023 at 10 am includes:• Welcome• Updates
• Reports & Reviews: 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 24, 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 19 Jessica Hua of Forest & Wildlife Ecology speaks on “Pollutants, Parasites, and You.”
• 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 19 Namita Khajanchi of the Morgridge Institute speaks on “CRISPR & CAR-T Cells.”
3. Today at 5:30 PM at the Discovery Building, 330 N. Orchard St, Madison WI
Or zoom at bit.ly/Thorp-at-UW
4. Spring Garden Preview at Allen Centennial Garden April 22 from 1 to 4pm
5. 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
6. 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
7. Support the 34th Annual Juneteenth Celebration!
Greetings from Kujichagulia MCSD!
We are planning the 34th Annual Juneteenth Celebration! We are excited about the event. We have achieved a significant milestone; national holiday status for Juneteenth. We are still bouncing back from COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on our everyday lives. As we deal with record inflation and financial uncertainty, we embrace the essence of Juneteenth, liberation and transformation! We have been here as a community and nation. In the presence of hope and despair, we resiliently choose hope! Let’s pull together again this year to support Kujichagulia Madison Center for Self Determination as it plans this year’s event.
We are reaching out to you to support the Celebration through financially, personally and by sharing information within your networks. We benefit from however you choose to render your support. Please find attached our various packets to help inform your choice(s) of support.
For questions and information please reach out to the Juneteenth Planning Committee at kujijuneteenth@gmail.com or visit our www.kujimcsd.org or https://www.facebook.com/KujichaguliaMadison for additional information.
Harambee,
Annie Weatherby-Flowers and The Juneteenth Implementation Committee
8. 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
9. Wisconsin Landscapes: Art and Science Fusion Workshop at the UW Arboretum April 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 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.
10. 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 21, 2023. All questions about the program or applying can be directed to mallory.conlon@wisc.edu.
11. 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
12. 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!
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Kari Schoenike (she/her)Agriculture Education ManagerWisconsin State Fair ParkP: 414.266.7150 C: 414.640.7661 E: kari.schoenike@wistatefair.com |
13. 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.
14. 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 Services, Badger Precollege
Division of Continuing Studies
21 N. Park Street
University of Wisconsin-Madison
608-265-1045
Christopher.peveyharry@wisc.edu
15. #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.
16. 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
17. “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.
18. 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.
- 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/
19. Events from Madison Friends of Urban Nature
APRIL 2023 ADVENTURE CALENDAR
Sat Apr 22 10am “Earth Week Creek Cleanups” at Starkweather Creek with James Winkelman
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
For more events, see https://cityofmadison.com/parks/events/bird-nature.cfm