Science Outreach on Campus
Sharing Science With Wisconsin

UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater: Week of January 8, 2024

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UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater 

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For the week of January 8, 2024

 The UW-Madison Science Alliance meets Mondays at 10:00 am by Zoom. We also meet both by Zoom and in person at the Wisconsin Energy Institute, Room 1120, first floor (1552 University Avenue) on the first meeting of the month. Our next meeting is January 22, 2024.

 The Zoom link for the 2023-2024 meetings of Science Alliance will continue to be: https://zoom.us/my/glbrc.weieducation.vmr?pwd=L2Q0L0g0S3lEd2gyazNscjA1d2JYZz09 

The draft agenda for January 8, 2024 at 10 am includes:

  • Welcome
  • Updates
  • Planning for the 22nd Annual UW Science Expeditions April 5, 6 & 7, 2024.
  • Other Business
  • Meet next on Monday, January 22nd, 10 am; we will meet virtually. (no meeting on Monday, January 15th – Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

 

As with the #Updater, the Science Alliance meeting notes are also archived on https://science.wisc.edu/science-alliance/.  

Recurring Programming Events Coming This Week and Soon

  Clean Lakes Alliance Frozen Assets Festival on Saturday, February 3rd

Join Clean Lakes Alliance at this year’s Frozen Assets festival on Saturday, February 3rd from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on frozen Lake Mendota off The Edgewater pier. We’re looking for departments to share their research and outreach activities with attendees during the free, family-friendly festival. Clean Lakes Alliance will provide a tent, table, and lunch. Frozen Assets is a great opportunity to showcase your department’s education and research efforts to thousands of attendees! Email Caitlin McAleavey (caitlin@cleanlakesalliance.org) by mid-January if you are interested in participating.

Super Science Saturday on March 9th

Super Science Saturday is an event aimed at getting K-5th graders engaged and excited about science and technology with fun demonstrations and hands-on experiences. The event will take place at Randall elementary at 1802 Regent St. from 9AM-1 PM on Saturday 3/9/2024. Set-up can occur as early as 8 AM.  Tables can be provided if needed as well as basic supplies such as water and paper towels and if there are questions about other supplies please contact samipkothari@gmail.com. Children and their families will walk through in an open-house style format but we can accommodate larger demonstrations if more space is needed. Please contact Samip Kothari at samipkothari@gmail.com if you would like to participate.

The Necedah Virtual Cardinal After-School Program 

The after school program is currently meeting via Google Meet on Tuesday afternoons (2x a month) this year. The 4:00-4:30 session is for middle/high school students and the 4:30-5:00 session is for 3rd-5th graders. Feel free to claim an entire hour and adapt your activity for the two different age groups. The Necedah students LOVE engineering/design challenges, so we have dedicated one session a month to that type of workshop. Here is a list of websites to get your creativity flowing: Paper Engineering, Design Challenges using Recyclables, 50+ Engineering Projects. Linda Lowery has created a STEM activity planning guide to help you design and implement your activity. The program coordinator, Linda Lowery (llowery@necedahschools.org), can help provide required materials. Sign up using the spreadsheet here.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) Project at Upham Woods this Summer

Freshwater@UW is a mentored summer research program offering a range of research opportunities, including one at Upham Woods! The program’s central aim is to support the growth of our freshwater research enterprise and freshwater workforce through collaborative, cross-system programming designed to train, recruit, retain and diversify the next generation of freshwater professionals.

  • Work closely with research faculty and staff
  • Develop research skills, knowledge and abilities
  • Focus on science communication
  • Present your work at a capstone symposium
  • Learn about applying to graduate school from current graduate students
  • Gain exposure to diverse career paths and other post-graduate opportunities

The project at Upham Woods will focus on Monitoring Aquatic Species Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) in the Wisconsin River!

Apply by Feb 15th for this exciting opportunity! More details including application instructions: https://water.wisc.edu/wateruw-madison-undergraduate-research/

 Check Out the 2023-2024 “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.

 UW Arboretum Winter Events

Saturday work parties, Sunday walks, and night walks
Saturday 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. 

 See Arboretum events calendar for details and registration: https://arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/

 “Madison FUN/Friends of Urban Nature” Announcements 

JANUARY 2024 BIRD AND NATURE ADVENTURE CALENDAR

Thu Jan 11 12:15 “Paint Tiny Houses” Senior Bird and Nature Adventure at Warner Park Center with ReCreate

Sat Jan 13 2:30 “Learn Critter Tracks” at Owen Conservation Park with John Newman

Sun Jan 14 1:30 “Magic of Winter” at Turville Point Conservation Park with Sean Gere and Andria Blattner

Sat Jan 20 10am “We Otter Go Sledding” at Olbrich Park Sled Hill with Paul Noeldner

Sun Jan 21 1:30 “The Art of Winter” at Warner Park Rainbow Shelter with Kathlean Wolf

Sat Jan 27 10am “Learn Critter Tracks” at Aldo Leopold Nature Center/Edna Taylor with John Newman

Sat Jan 27 1:30 “Winter Woody Plant ID” at Pheasant Branch Prairie Encampment with Eva Roos

Sun Jan 28 1:30 “Winter Wonderland” at UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve with Paul Noeldner

APRIL 28 BIRD AND NATURE FESTIVAL

Sunday April 28, 2024 12-4pm is the 11th Annual Madison FUN Bird and Nature Festival at Warner Park featuring an ongoing Live Raptor Show and exhibits and activities.

This is a lot like Science Expeditions with free table space. Bring info about your group, show your educational exhibits, and provide fun hands-on kids science and nature activities!  Share your enthusiasm  and network with other groups! 

Contact paul_noeldner@hotmail.com for more info and a table space. 

 

Please send upcoming science outreach events and activities to Liz Jesse: ejesse2@wisc.edu.