Sarah Kaatz, Aquaculture Outreach Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Extension, UWSP-Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility
Learn about the exciting career opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture (fish farming). Tour an aquaculture facility and see rainbow trout. We’ll also be making the very popular "Aquaculture Bracelet"!
Jamee Hubbard, Assistant Professor of Biology, UWSP Biology Department
In this workshop, participants will learn about the UWSP Natural History Museum insect collections, including the different types of collections that are a part of the museum and the many uses of those collections. Participants will also learn how various types of insects are obtained for the collection and once we have them, how they are preserved and presented.
Justin Sipiorski, Lecturer in Ichthyology and Curator of Fishes, UWSP Biology Department
We will discuss the varied career options available to students who study fish biology in college. These careers will be related to (but not exclusive to) the broader fields of Fisheries Biology, Ichthyology, and Aquaculture. We will tour UWSP facilities designed to support activities surround Ichthyology and Aquarium Science (a specialized form of aquaculture). These demonstrations will include hands-on activities involving fish specimens kept in dilute rubbing alcohol. Gloves and tools will be provided.
Tim Wright, Senior Lecturer in Health Education, UWSP Health, Exercise Science & Athletics Department
A hands-on look at the fun, exciting, and rewarding field of health. Descriptions of the fields of health, exercise, and nutrition will be explored in this interactive and entertaining presentation.
Sue Kissinger, Coordinator of Advising and Recruitment, and Bobbi Kubish, Coordinator of Recruitment and International Programs, UWSP College of Natural Resources
Learn about the myriad of career opportunities available in the natural resources. Careers in Forestry, Fisheries, Water Resources, Paper Science, Wildlife, Soils and Environmental Education will be discussed. Hands-on activities, games and prizes awarded.
Professor Jed Herman and Professor Nathan Wodarz, UWSP Department of Mathematical Sciences
Students will explore the relationship between a predator species (coyotes) and a prey species (bunnies) using mathematical models, then gather data themselves using a board game in which two teams (coyotes, bunnies) compete for survival.
Dr. Ray Reser, Director, UWSP Museum of Natural History
Participants will examine Native American stone, bone and ceramic artifacts from the UWSP collections and learn how to identify the material, age, source and use. Artifacts will be examined under various magnifications (hand lens, microscope and magnifying lights) offering clues to how these tools and weapons were produced and where they originated. Specimens will be weighed, measured, photographed or drawn for inclusion in the UWSP Archaeological Collections database. Learn how to recognize and identify prehistoric stone tools and pottery from your own backyard in central WI!
Professor Mike Simmers, UWSP Department of Mathematical Sciences
Students will be constructing (origami paper folding) paper frogs out of different sizes and weights of paper. They will then test jump their frogs and analyze the factors involved in “engineering” the best frog.
Sara Windjue, Energy Education Specialist, Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP)
Hands-on experimentation with electrical circuits and experience using a watt meter will provide you with information and skills to pursue further investigations on the topic of energy. Energy careers will also be discussed including careers in the exciting and growing field of renewable energy.
Dr. Jason D’Acchioli, Dr. Jim Brummer, Dr. Robin Tanke, UWSP Chemistry Department
Students will be introduced to materials that absorb light then reemitting
light of a different color. Students will examine how heat and different
metal ions are responsible for the colors observed in fireworks. In
addition, student will prepare a blueprint using 19th century
techniques that involve a chemical reaction and UV light.
Dr. Jim Lawrence, Dr. Laura Cole, Dr. Paul Hladky, UWSP Chemistry Department
Students will consider why some materials mix and other do not. They will examine the properties of water and soap. They will observe that some chemical reactions make things hot and other cool things off. In addition, they will investigate the absorbent properties of a superabsorbent powder.
Professor Dale Rohm, UWSP Department of Mathematical Sciences
Students will be able to discuss the meaning of “biological diversity,” using the concepts of “variety” and “relative abundance”. Given abundance and distribution data of species in two communities, students will be able to calculate appropriate numeric indicators that describe the biological diversity of these communities.
Shelley Jansky, Research Geneticist and Associate Professor, USDA-ARS and UW-Madison
Just about everything we eat is a product of research efforts by dozens of scientists, including geneticists, breeders, physiologists, pathologists, and statisticians. French fries are popular in the U.S. and provide a good model to understand how foods are produced. In this workshop, we will explore what goes on behind the scenes as scientists work to develop the perfect French fry.
Debbie Palmer, Associate Professor, UWSP Psychology Department
Participants will learn firsthand how Psychologist use scientific methods to gain information and knowledge about human thinking and behavior. This will be accomplished through the completion of a series of hands-on activities, which will allow participants to learn more, and possibly appreciate better, their own impressive abilities and skills. The completion of these activities will provide participants with a greater understanding of what it means to think like a Psychologist.
Douglas Miskowiak, GIS Education Specialist, UWSP GIS Center
What do Angelina Jolie, the ‘crazy turtle woman,’ and citizen-scientists from Moose Lake have in common? They are passionate about something that is tied to a geographic place. Participants will engage in hands-on activities that use computerized mapping tools called geographic information systems or GIS to map and analyze the places, objects, and events they’re passionate about.
Dr. Susan Talarico, UWSP Department of Mathematical Sciences
This workshop will explore a beautiful connection between art and mathematics. We will explore the art of making tessellations! We will be making tessellations from pictures or tiles, commonly in the form of animals and other life forms, to cover a surface of paper.
Sue Becker, Joyce Bulgrin, Jodi Olmsted, UWSP School of Health Care Professionals
Become a highly sought after medical detective. Work your way through a medical case with lots of hands on activities. Ultimately, students will be able to solve the medical mystery using clues given and lab results obtained from hands-on exercises.
Jessica Tomaszewski, Environmental Education Outreach Specialist, UWSP Continuing Education Department
Learn the basics of tree identification and come away from this workshop with the tools to identify your favorite trees.
Pat Zellmer, Biology Instructor, Biology Advising Coordinator, UWSP Biology Department
How does your body work? What keeps all the levels normal? We’ll explore some simple concepts like heart (running an EKG), blood pressure (using an electronic sphygmomanometer and finger pulse recorders), and blood typing.
John Gaffney, Advistor, UWSP School of Education Department
Dr. Perry Cook, Professor, UWSP School of Education Department
Maggie Beeber, Advisor & Teacher Certification Officer, UWSP School of
Education
Have you ever considered becoming a teacher? This workshop will help you learn more about a career in education and what the Professional Education Program at UWSP can offer you. What classes should you take in high school? What is required at the college level? What kind of job market exists? Do you have what it takes to be a high-quality educator? We will discuss all of these topics and more during this informational session.
Kevin Hefferan, UWSP Professor of Geology
Workshop participants will explore rocks from throughout the world and discover the geologic processes by which these Earth materials formed. Students will investigate the composition, resource value and geohazard potential of rocks. This hands-on exercise will focus on the significance of Earth materials to our society and demonstrate the importance of Geoscience careers.
Jess Sherman, Associate Faculty, UWSP Soils and Waste Resources, College of Natural Resources
Students will learn how soil is integrally connected to many other areas of the natural world as well as how it impacts land management decisions. Activities will include looking at soil stability, erodibility, and filtering capabilities.
Dr. Robert Kreczner, UWSP Department of Mathematical Sciences
Solving certain well-known puzzles on the plane or sphere might already be challenging and interesting enough, but what about solving these puzzles on the other surfaces, for example, the doughnut and Mbius strip. The shapes considered in these examples, despite being very familiar, making our discussion very accessible, will allow us to muse about certain deep intrinsic properties of surfaces in general.
Assistant Professor Adriana Durbala, UWSP Department of Physics & Astronomy
The workshop will emphasize the following aspects: 1) Lenses: convergent, divergent, focal length; 2) Constructing a telescopes using lenses (hands-on); 3) Properties of telescopes (students will use applets on the computer); 4) Want to buy a telescope? How to get the most out of your money; 5) Why do we put telescopes in space?; 6) Why are telescopes called ``time machines’’?
Dr. Ken Menningen, Professor, UWSP Department of Physics & Astronomy
Students will learn the basic science behind engines used for transportation, and build their own alternative to the internal combustion engine.
Jim Carr, Adjunct Faculty and Lab Manager, UWSP Paper Science and Engineering Department
Participants will learn that modern papermakers apply chemistry, physics and nanotechnology to develop and manufacture paper products that continue to be an essential element of everyday life. Participants will also learn that modern papermaking requires the skills of an engineer to ensure that the highly complex machinery of the paper industry is run safely and efficiently twenty-four hours a day.
Dr. Randy Olson, Professor, UWSP Physics & Astronomy Department
Narrated by Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura from Star Trek) and Dr. James Kaler (noted stellar astronomer) we take a more personal look at astronomy. Using principles of gravity, the properties of light, and the spectrum; this program explores the very nature of the stars and stellar life cycles.
Associate Professor-Forestry Paul Doruska, UWSP College of Natural Resources Department
Trigonometry is used to measure trees – we’ll examine how. Also, mathematical equations can be used to estimate different aspects of forest growth over time. When combined they are called growth and yield models. We will examine a growth and yield model for red pine, and get a chance to "grow" a forest into the future. What kind of forest will you grow?
Assistant Professor Dr. Trudi Miller, UWSP Computer Information Systems
Learn how to program your own animation or video game in this hands-on opportunity to learn about the computing field.
UWSP Herpetology Society
Hands-on educational show with various live reptiles and amphibians with focus on careers in herpetology.
Andrea Knapp, UWSP Department of Mathematical Sciences
Dive into the world of a forensic scientist to solve a crime. Some sources of evidence are more reliable than others. Fingerprinting and eye-witness testimony along with mathematical connections will be explored.