Science Outreach on Campus
Sharing Science With Wisconsin

UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater – Week of March 11, 2024

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UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater 

To subscribe to this group, send an email to allianceall+subscribe@g-groups.wisc.edu

 For the week of March 11, 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 March 11th; we will meet via Zoom.

 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 March 11th 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, March 18, 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

  • 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
    • 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

 

  • Promote Your Environmental Science Work at the April 3 meeting of Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve

I’m delighted to invite you to connect your environmental organization or research projects with the members of the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve by providing an Exhibit or Exploration Station at the Friends’ 23rd Annual Meeting on Wednesday April 3 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at the Visitor Center of the UW-Madison Arboretum.

This special evening starts with refreshments & conversations with members & exhibitors from 6:30 to 7:00.  Our annual meetings generally draw 75-100 members.

I will be happy to provide you with a six-foot table for display space for your organization’s Exhibit or Exploration Station.   

Our main event begins at 7:00 with a presentation by Professor Jessica Hua entitled “Dilution is NOT the Solution to Pollution: How Amphibians, Parasites and You Can Help Us Understand the Complex Effects of Pollutants on Wildlife.”

Thank you for considering this invitation. I would be happy to respond to any questions or suggestions.  My cell is 571 294 5689 and my email is tmzinnen@gmail.com.  Please let me know by return email if you would like to reserve an Exhibit/Exploration Station space for your organization.

Tom Zinnen

Member, Board of Directors FLNP

 

 

  • 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.

 

  • 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. 

 

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