UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
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For the week of February 5, 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 February 5th. We will meet both virtually and in person at the Wisconsin Energy Institute, Room 1120, first floor (1552 University Avenue)
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 February 5th 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, February 12, 10 am; we will meet virtually.
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
- 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. You can like/follow the BadgerTalks Facebook page here.
- Saturday Science Workshops at UW Space Place” every Saturday at 10am at UW Space Place, in the lower level of the Village on Park, 2300 S. Park Street. Free. For children ages 6-10 and their caregivers.
Sign Up for Science Expeditions (April 5th – 7th)
Dear Science Researchers & Outreachers,
On behalf of the UW–Madison Science Alliance, we are delighted to invite you to participate in the 22nd Annual UW-Madison Science Expeditions on April 5-7, 2024.
UW Science Expeditions is our annual campus-wide science open house: it’s an opportunity for all of us to welcome everyone to their public university, and it’s a splendid chance to share your research & outreach with visitors of all ages. This year we have the special opportunity to co-host Science Expeditions with UW’s 175 Open House event.
As a campus-wide open house, UW Science Expeditions features multiple options for involvement:
- Exploration Stations: hands-on exhibits where you share insights into your research;
- Science Spectaculars: presentations that engage a larger audience, usually in an auditorium; and
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Destinations for Exploration: tours or Open Houses of venues across campus.
To sign up, please register by March 24 at: https://forms.gle/iYWzDJfbRdkaWUGMA . All are welcome and encouraged to participate. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Val Blair (vblair@morgridge.org).
Please help us spread the word: if you know others on campus who may be interested in sharing their research or outreach at UW Science Expeditions, please forward this information to them.
Thank you for considering this invitation to participate in the 2024 UW-Madison Science Expeditions!
-Science Expeditions Planning Team
Interested in Being a LEAP Forward 2024 Internship Site?
Darwin Day is on February 16th – We Need Your Help!
The Darwin Day event will take place on February 16th in the Mesozoic garden area of the Discovery building (flier attached). There is an outreach event from 2:30-5:00 with science exploration stations and games for K-12 students. Please contact Myron Child (mbchild@wisc.edu) if you are interested in sharing a science activity.
Wisconsin’s “Remake Learning Days” Festival is back! (4/20 – 4/28, 2024)
Join fellow organizations, educators and community leaders across south central Wisconsin as we showcase and celebrate the wonder and joy of learning!
Check it out at https://remakelearningdays.org/badgerland/ (flier attached)
Submit your program & events on the submission portal: https://remakelearningdays.org/event-submission/
Early Bird submission deadline is February 14, 2024, however entries and changes can be made any time.
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 guideto 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
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.