UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
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Monday 8 May 2023
Hi Everyone,
This is Finals Week and this weekend is Graduation which, in a stroke of academic humor, is officially called Commencement. I live close to Camp Randall and I can attest that graduation is the happiest weekend every year.
This week also signals the start of something splendid. Later this month as the campus moves into the summer semester, many of us in the outreach mission will shift into summer camp mode, a period of multi-day programming for youth in music and theater, athletics, the fine arts, languages and other humanities, and science. Daycamps take planning, but overnight camps take a Promethean effort of forethought and foreaction reaching back half a year or more.
Some of these include the 4-H Summer Academy, Atmospheric-Satellite-Earth Science Camp, the WAA’s Grandparents University. The range of youth programming year-round is astonishing, but it is in summer, when the ratio of visitors-to-undergrads on campus rises, that the visibility of youth programming emerges more clearly.
The history and the breadth of this mission and its accompanying vision, as well as the statewide Beneficient Influence of welcoming to campus youth from all over Wisconsin, are what cause me to remember a fated statement I heard on a zoom in April three years ago in the throes of the covid shutdown: “Youth programming is not a core enterprise of the university.” Not a ‘core enterprise’?? You can tell a lot about someone in what they say and what they do when the ship is sinking and the souls on board outnumber the spaces in lifeboats at hand.
Both in repudiation and in celebration, let me offer this affirmation: Youth programming is a core mission of UW-Madison. Furthermore, as a Morrill Landgrant university, for over a century UW-Madison has embraced the happy obligation of providing youth programming on campus and all across Wisconsin.
This summer will be a testament of the vibrant and vital roles that youth programming plays in the outreach & public service mission this university proclaims, defends, and cherishes.
Thanks!
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, May 8 by zoom.
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 May 8, 2023 at 10 am includes:• Welcome• Updates
• Recap of UW Family Gardening Day May 6
• Recap of Expanding Your Horizons on May 6
• Mark your calendars for 22nd Annual UW Science Expeditions April 5, 6 & 7, 2024
• Other Business
• Meet next on Monday, May 15, 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. The Saturday Workshops season closes in mid-May. See the website for details.
These family-friendly events are always free and open to the public every Saturday morning during the UW’s 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.
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• “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 May 10 Ahna Skop of Genetics will speak on “One Cell Divides into Three Things? The Curious Story of the Midbody Remnant.”
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3. Astrobiology Talk at UW Space Place, Tuesday May 9 at 7pm, 2300 S. Park St, Madison
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4. News from Edgewood College: Teacher Workshop May 20
Edgewood College, in collaboration with GearBox Labs, Inc, is hosting a free workshop for educators on May 20. Find more information at: https://store.gearboxlabs.org/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=263
Thank you so much!
Sarah Stoehr, MA
ROSE Project Coordinator, Edgewood College
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5. Juneteenth Celebration on June 17 & Healing Labs Celebrations Throughout the Summer
UW Science Alliance has been invited again this year to participate at Madison’s 2023 Kujichagulia Juneteenth and Healing Labs Celebrations.
On June 17, we would like to have between 15-20 Exploration Stations at the main Juneteenth event (just like last year) at Penn Park located at 2101 Fisher St, Madison, WI 5371, from 12 – 4 pm for the UW-Madison Science Celebration Tent.
In addition, the organizing committee invites UW Science Alliance to be present even more! They are hoping for additional “Science Demo Celebrations” during the summer months of June – August.
These additional June/July/August opportunities are through Parks Alive and Neighborhood Resource Teams. Our shared goal with partners is to bring/share science where lay publics can meet scientists/have scientific experiences! The idea is to have smaller science hands-on events on different dates.
The sign-up sheet with dates in ascending order is listed below. We are looking for 3-4 science hands-on stations on each of these dates (like mini science open houses) in Madison’s underserved communities:
- Leopold Park (2906 Traceway Dr, Madison, WI 53713) on Tuesdays from 5pm -7pm on:
- June 20
- July 18
- August 1
- August 15
- Penn Park (2101 Fisher St, Madison, WI 53713) on Thursdays from 5pm – 7pm on:
- June 29
- July 13
- July 27
- August 10
- Parks Alive/Allied Drive (2370 Revival Ridge, Madison, WI 53711) on Mondays from 5pm – 7pm. The Allied Park Community is also inviting the UW Science Alliance to participate at their other monthly neighborhood community gatherings on:
- July 10
- July 24
- August 7
Our Goal: We would like to have ~5 Exploration Stations at each of these events at Allied Drive.
To sign up for one or more events this summer to participate with a hands-on station or to volunteer go to:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SlRI-HIDkHikAC2XJPfJ36pIdxo5QTR4H5DJpNvmdLg/edit#gid=0
For more information please contact Ana Garic (ana.garic@wisc.edu)
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6. 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
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7. Check Out the 2022-2023 “Family Science Nights” Opportunities:
https://gasch.genetics.wisc.edu/outreach/family-science-nights/
The Calendar of upcoming science outreach at schools is at https://teamup.com/ks37f37f6a8028e6d0
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.
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8. 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/
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9. 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.
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 again 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