Program Overview

The first-ever Wisconsin Science Festival will be an evocative, fun-filled, multiday event packed with activities for thinkers, learners, and knowledge lovers of all ages. On the online program you can peruse each day's events or search for events that suit your tastes based on your interests and the ages of the people you’ll be learning with. The festival has something for everyone, including football fans, ice cream aficionados, film and radio buffs, and practicing and aspiring musicians and artists. If you love learning, you’re going to fit right in.

Thursday Events

Opening Ceremony: Arts Night Out

Thursday 7:30 - 9:00 P.M. Union Theater

Evening "Arts Night Out" kickoff event at the Wisconsin Union Theater featuring collaborative dance, music, and scientific performances with choreography by Chris Walker, Kate Corby and Li Chiao-Ping.

The opening ceremony event will mark a transition from the Year of the Arts to the Year of the Wisconsin Idea. It will also be the first designated "Arts Night Out" event of the 2011-12 academic year. In the spirit of the Year of the Arts opening parade, former UW-Madison chancellor John Wiley will emcee a program that celebrates the Science of making Art and the Art of making Science. The program features collaborative dance, music, and scientific performances, with choreography by Chris Walker, and set design by Carolyn Kallenborn. The evening also includes performances by Li Chao-Ping and the Pro Arte Quartet, celebrating its centennial as well as appearances by Bassam Shakashiri, Pupa Gilbert, and Steve Ackerman.

Friday Events

UW Geology Museum

Friday 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. 1215 West Dayton St.

Explore the Geology Museum and take a peek into Wisconsin's deep history!

On your visit you can touch rocks from a time when there were volcanoes in Wisconsin; see corals, jellyfish, and other sea creatures that used to live and swim where we now walk; and stand under the tusks of a mastodon while imagining yourself in the Ice Age. Also on display at the Geology Museum are rocks and minerals that glow, a model of a Wisconsin cave, dinosaurs and meteorites.

Our mineral, rock, and fossil collections have the power to educate and inspire visitors of all ages. Come see for yourself!

Tiny: Art from Microscopes

Friday Exhibit on display throughout the Festival Town Center

Tiny is an exhibition of artistic scientific photographs by UW-Madison researchers, curated by Tandem Press. Originally displayed at the Dane County Regional Airport in 2009, this incredible exhibition makes a special encore appearance in Madison before traveling around the country.

L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum

Friday 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. 1150 University Ave.

The L.R. Ingersoll Museum is a free public venue and runs on donations. Our exhibits give you a hands-on experience of physical concepts ranging from mechanics to modern physics in a demonstrational kid-friendly environment. In conjunction to our museum, you will find historical instruments and photos of the Nobel Prize Winners in Physics from 1901-1993 on display along the corridors.

Science Festival Street Fair

Friday 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Town Center

Exciting hands-on science activities, demonstrations, displays, performances, tours, games (e.g., iPhone orchestra, exploration stations, digital scavenger hunts) and more take over the entire ground floor Town Center of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery all day. Click here to see a full list of activities.

UW Scientists at the Microscopy Niche

Friday 3D Niche, Town Center

Interact with UW-Madison scientists and researchers! See how a high-resolution microscope helps scientists with their observations and research. There will be hands-on science activities and live demonstrations for all ages. Plus, you will have the chance to ask the scientists questions and expand your scientific knowledge.

Cell & Molecular Biology Demo (9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.)

Headed by Professor Kate O'Connor-Giles, this laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular regulation of synapse formation, growth, and plasticity using fruit flies.

Cancer Research Demo (1:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.)

Headed by Professor William Dove, this laboratory focuses on the genetic, cellular, and molecular interactions involved in cancer of the self-renewing mammalian intestinal epithelium. Mice and rat colon are used as models for their cancer research.

K-12 School Field Trips

Friday 9:00 A.M. - Noon: grades K-5; Noon - 3:00 P.M.: grades 7-12 Town Center

Hands-on labs and activities ranging for children of all ages including stem cell labs, nanotechnology and video games in state-of-the-art laboratories. There will also be campus museum tours, science theater, and a cavalcade of engaging street fair activities.

Town Center Tour

Friday 10:00 A.M., 2:00 P.M. & 6:00 P.M. Town Center

The guided tour lasts approximately 30-40 minutes and covers the Town Center.

Fusion Science Theater (FST)

Friday 10:00 A.M. Town Center

THREE Fusion Science Theater Shows in ONE Performance

Show #1: "That's the Way the Ball Bounces"

Two balls—they look alike. Will one will bounce higher and, if so, which one? Join the Scientist and the mysterious CDI as they investigate the relationship between molecular basis of "bouncibility."
Run time: 20 minutes
FST elements included: Interactive Inquiry, “Act-It-Out” (physical dramatization), Embedded Assessment, Demonstrations.
Audience: children 5-11 years

Show #2: "If I Were an Atom in a Solid"

How does a solid move (by itself)? That’s the riddle posed in this short, musical, participatory demonstration of one application of the Kinetic Molecular Theory.
Run time: 6 minutes
FST elements included: Interactive Investigation, "Act-It-Out" (physical dramatization), Song.
Audience: children 4-11 years

Show #3: "The Burning Question"

Scientist Ms. KaBOOM joins host Mark Question on this very special episode of the make believe TV series "The Question Show." The studio audience joins their investigation of the question of the day, "What makes the loudest BOOM?"
Run time: 30 minutes
FST Elements included: Investigative Inquiry, “Act-It-Out” (physical dramatization), Embedded Assessment, Demonstrations, Song.
Audience: children 6-11 years

So You Think You Can Do Science? (Cancelled Due to Illness)

Friday 11:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M. (TENTATIVE) Town Center

Combining education and entertainment through exciting chemistry demonstrations and Hip Hop dancing, this show was most recently performed by Jeffrey Vinokur, the Dancing Scientist at the World Science Festival in New York City and the Maryland Science Center. The 20 min program presents topics such as Acids & Bases in the Kitchen, Energy, Alternative Fuels, and Polymers.

Glass Blowing

Friday 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Town Center

Tracy Drier is the research glassblower for the Chemistry Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tracy will demonstrate some of the techniques used in building devices for chemistry research.

Biophilia

Friday 12:00 P.M. Town Center

This session will incorporate Bjork’s new Biophilia venture involving innovative iPad applications to explore some of our relationships within the cosmos as we integrate sound, visuals, and interactive technology in a co-creative context. Presented by Stefan Brueck, PhD candidate, School of Education. Download the free Biophilia app for your iPhone or iPad at http://music.wisc.edu/biophilia. A limited number of iPads will be available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis as part of the demonstration.

Download the free Biophilia app on your iPhone or iPad to participate!

Learn to Solder

Friday 12:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. Town Center

Founder of Madison's Sector 67 will lead a workshop that lasts from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M. Want to learn how to fix electronics? Let's start today with a simple introduction to soldering and electronics kit building. We’ll have kits available for purchase that you'll assemble in this session. Sick of mindless TVs? How about a dead cell phone battery? Ever wondered what a drawing might sound like? How about spelling words in the air? We've got a kit for that! We'll have many Adafruit kits available to teach you how to solder, including a TV-B-Gone, Minty Boost, Drawdio, Breadboard Power Supply, MiniPOV, SpokePOV, and a few Arduino kits.

Woven Lives Film and Discussion

Friday 1:00 P.M. Town Center

Drawing upon the richness of sights, sounds, and beauty of the people and landscape of Oaxaca, Mexico, Woven Lives provides a fascinating look at contemporary Zapotec weavers from six different villages. This documentary celebrates their extraordinary textiles and illustrates how the art of weaving cloth has helped the Zapotecs retain their culture and identity for thousands of years. The story traces the history of weaving in Oaxaca including the use of plants, minerals, and insects to create colorful yarns, as well as exploring how the artisans are now looking to the past to help them move forward into an economically and environmentally sustainable future. Presented by Carolyn Kallenborn.

The Essence of Creativity

Friday 3:00 - 4:30 P.M. Town Center

Channel 3's Neil Heinen moderates as we hear from UW–Madison scientists John Yin, Rock Mackie and Ahna Skop; art faculty Stephen Hilyard, Meg Mitchell and Norma Saldivar; the Institute for Biology Education’s Dolly Ledin; bioethicist Pilar Ossorio; and humanities fellows Ellery Foutch and Trevor Pearce. These scholars and experts, all of whom transcend traditional boundaries in their work, will have about 5 minutes to present their work in a fast paced, dynamic format.

Killer Clues: The Art and Science of Murder

Friday 4:30 - 6:00 P.M. Town Center

Pulitzer prize-winning science journalist Deborah Blum, professor of journalism and author of the New York Times bestseller The Poisoner's Handbook, hosts a panel discussion with Stoughton-based murder mystery novelist Beth Amos, author of an acclaimed series of forensics-focused mysteries under the name Annelise Ryan, and Dr. Michael Stier, forensic pathologist, former Virginia assistant medical examiner, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Investigator Melanie Hampton, a law enforcement officer for more than 12 years, is a crime scene investigator in the Forensic Services Unit of the City of Madison Police Department. Prior to her career in law enforcement, Melanie was a National Science Foundation Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She possesses Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil & Environmental Engineering from UW and Northwestern University. This presentation looks at the fascinating subject of forensics and the way we use science to help solve and explain murders and other crimes. The speakers offer a behind the scenes look at the science of murder investigations and crime scene investigation (CSI), from its tangled and sometimes deadly history to scientists today who solve real-life mysteries, to murder mystery writers that put it all together into their compelling tales.

Audience members may enter a free drawing to win autographed copies of books by the presenters.

Steenbock's on Orchard: Molecular Gastronomy Dinner

Friday 6:00 P.M. Town Center

Join Chef Michael Pruett and food science experts as the chef deconstructs dishes from the Steenbock's on Orchard menu and explores the science of food during a very special dinner at Steenbock's on Orchard.

Cocktails at 5:30 P.M.and Dinner at 6:00 P.M.

$90 with wine pairings / $60 without wine pairings

Call (608) 204.2733 to make a reservation.

Washburn Observatory

Friday 6:30 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. 1401 Observatory Dr.

Starry Transit: Exhibit and Star Gazing

Friday 6:30 - 10:00 P.M. Washburn Observatory

Starry Transit: an Installation by Martha Glowacki is a collaborative project between the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and the UW-Madison Department of Astronomy. For the exhibition, Glowacki created several artworks, including a working planisphere and a freestanding cabinet with a tableau of migrating birds perched on fanciful models of constellations. During the Wisconsin Science Festival, several of the artworks that were in Starry Transit will be re-installed in the observatory. A set of prints from UW's Tandem press edition of Natural Philosophies, one of the original pieces in the installation, will also be on view.

The observatory opens at 6:30 P.M. for the exhibit. The public is invited for stargazing from 7:45 - 10:00 P.M.

Nicholas Ray Centennial - Bigger Than Life

Friday 7:00 - 10:00 P.M. Cinematheque at Vilas Hall

US, 1956, 35mm, 95 min.
Directed by Nicholas Ray, with James Mason, Barbara Rush, and Walter Matthau. Film screening, program notes will be distributed. In one of the best films of the 1950s, the subtle and powerful James Mason plays a middle-class schoolteacher who undergoes Cortisone treatment after contracting a mysterious disease. The drug gives him a miraculous recovery, but it also causes delusions of grandeur and slowly eats away at his sanity, eventually threatening the safety of his family. Using a speculative fiction premise, Director (and Wisconsin native) Nicholas Ray (Rebel Without a Cause) depicts the often-menacing pressures of suburban life, emerging with a vision of America unlike any other depicted before in movies. Presented by Cinematheque.

The Present Moment: Explorations from Music and Neuroscience

Friday 7:30 - 9:00 P.M. Town Center

Executive Producer Steve Paulson from Wisconsin Public Radio's To the Best of Our Knowledge moderates an evening discussion and performance, "The Present Moment: Explorations from Music and Neuroscience," featuring two legendary Wisconsin Academy Fellows: UW–Madison neuroscientist Richard Davidson , and musician, author, and journalist Ben Sidran. Ben will be joined by his multi-instrumentalist virtuoso son, Leo Sidran.

Saturday Events

L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum

Saturday 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 1150 University Ave.

UW Geology Museum

Saturday 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 1215 West Dayton St.

Explore the Geology Museum and take a peek into Wisconsin's deep history!

Our mineral, rock, and fossil collections have the power to educate and inspire visitors of all ages. Come see for yourself!

Tiny: Art from Microscopes

Saturday Exhibit on display throughout the Festival Town Center

Science Festival Street Fair

Saturday 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Town Center

Exciting hands-on science activities, demonstrations, displays, performances, tours, games, and more take over the entire ground floor Town Center of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery all day. Click here to see a full list of activities.

The Science of Football and Everything That Goes With It

Saturday

We explore multiple facets of football, including not just the sport itself—though we do explore the physics of football and concussions—but also beer, brats, and the connections between injuries that football players and pianists both struggle with. Adult football fans can take the opportunity to learn more about beers, while everyone can enjoy the opportunity to know more about—and taste!—ice cream.

Beer: Civilization and Science

Saturday 9:00 A.M. Town Center

Beer has had a huge influence on many facets of human civilization and history, including the biological sciences. Microbiologist Jon T. Roll shares fun facts on how beer has influenced human civilization and the basics of how beer is brewed.

The Science and Art of Sausage: Bratwursts!

Saturday 9:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. Town Center

Have you ever wanted to know how your favorite bratwurst is made? What it is made of? How healthy (or not healthy) it really is? And what is the science behind it all? This is your chance to learn the answers to these questions (and more) in this hands-on and interactive sausage making session. We will walk you through the science behind sausage making, the healthfulness of sausages and how exactly they are made. You’ll even have a chance to try your hand at the art of sausage linking. Presented by Jeff Sindelar.

For more information about the Animal Sciences UW-Extension Department, visit http://www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/meats/index.cfm

Electrodes and Expression: What does sEMG biofeedback have to do with playing the piano?

Saturday 9:00 - 10:00 A.M. Town Center

Like athletes, pianists undergo hours of training to improve efficiency, speed, and agility. Many pianists struggle with chronic physical problems that inhibit their ability to express themselves fully. Injuries continue to plague pianists because much of the playing mechanism is invisible and mental perceptions of muscle usage can be misleading. Within the past few years, physiological monitoring became available to the music industry through the ProformaVision™ technology, a surface electromyography (sEMG) device that measures muscle tension through electronic activity. Emphasizing artistry as an essential goal, we have utilized this cutting-edge technology to monitor the biomechanical components of an injury-free piano technique.

Drawing from our experience as performers, teachers, and researchers, as well as the latest research in biomechanics and arts medicine, we will investigate how optimal body alignment and an increased awareness of cycles of activity and rest while playing may reduce the risk of playing-related pain and musculoskeletal disorders in pianists. Using aural, kinesthetic, and visual cues through the use of biofeedback from the ProForma Vision sEMG system, we will demonstrate how a heightened kinesthetic awareness can lead to enhanced musical expressivity and help unlock artistic potential in a healthful, vital way. This session is presented by Jessica Johnson, Associate Professor of Piano Performance and Pedagogy at UW-Madison and Amanda Horn, Doctoral of Musical Arts Candidate in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at UW-Madison.

Town Center Tour

Saturday 11:00 A.M. & 6:00 P.M. Town Center

The guided tour lasts approximately 30-40 minutes and covers the Town Center.

Fusion Science Theater (FST)

Saturday 10:00 A.M. and 11:30 A.M. Madison Children's Museum

Fusion Science Theatre is presented in collaboration with the Wisconsin Science Festival.

That’s the Way the Ball Bounces

Two balls—they look alike. Will one will bounce higher and, if so, which one? Join the Scientist and the mysterious CDI as they investigate the relationship between molecular basis of "bouncibility."
Run time: 30 minutes
FST elements included: Interactive Inquiry, "Act-It-Out" (physical dramatization), Embedded Assessment, Demonstrations.
Audience: children 5-11 years

Sampling Beer Styles

Saturday 11:00 - 11:45 A.M. Town Center

Microbiologist Jon T. Roll and brewing industry expert Joe Pulizzano explain the basics of sensory analysis and then dive into how and why styles of beer differ. The $10 cover charge includes 5 beer samples and bar snacks.

Please register for this event at https://warf.wufoo.com/forms/sampling-beer-styles/.

Concussion: Is College Football Worth the Risk?

Saturday 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Town Center

Professor Lyn Turkstra, Department of Communicative Disorders, talks about concussion, the mildest form of traumatic brain injury. About 2 million people have a concussion every year, and although it’s mostly guys, the incidence is on the rise in girls. A concussion is brain damage and though it’s reversible in most people, there can be long-term effects like learning problems or a greater chance of getting Alzheimer’s Disease later in life. The only "cure" for concussion is prevention, and the best treatment is to recognize the signs and take care of your brain. For more info, visit http://www.comdis.wisc.edu/staff/turkstra/index.php.

UW Scientists at the Microscopy Niche

Saturday 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. 3D Niche, Town Center

Interact with UW-Madison scientists and researchers! See how a high-resolution microscope helps scientists with their observations and research. There will be hands-on science activities and live demonstrations for all ages. Plus, you will have the chance to ask questions to the scientists and expand your scientific knowledge.

Plant Imaging Center Demo (12:00 - 2:00 P.M.)

Join UW Plant Imaging Center Director Sarah Swanson in a botany demonstration.

Fall Harvest Festival

Saturday Noon - 3:00 P.M. Madison Children's Museum

Celebrate the fall harvest season and investigate the science, history, and culture of the food we eat, with activities throughout the museum:

Take a close-up view of food by doing plant dissections in the Wildernest.
Use fruits and vegetables to make natural dyes and prints in the Art Studio.
Help make "glowing pickles" and a "mega-battery" out of roots and fruits in Possible-opolis.
Visit our historic 1830s Log Cabin to learn about harvesting, and explore herbal remedies using plants grown in the pioneer garden.
Come up to the Rooftop Ramble for cooking demonstrations and tastings using the vegetables, fruits, eggs and herbs grown right here on the rooftop of Madison Children's Museum.

The Physics of Football

Saturday Event Time TBD Town Center

Before the game at Badgerville and after the game at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery Town Center.

Watching football is a great way to learn some basic physics - it's present in the flight of the ball, the motion of the players and the force of the tackles. But why just watch? On Saturday, Sept. 24th, visit the Physics of Football exhibits at Badgerville (North of Randall Stadium) for the two hours before the game:

Shoot mini foam footballs out of a cannon to learn projectile motion;
Test drop football helmets to see how well they protect players’ heads;
Whack a board to see why it’s easier to tackle someone if you hit them below their center of mass;
Measure your reaction time and learn why good hand-to-eye coordination is important for catching footballs;
and more

After the game, walk over to the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery Town Center, play with the exhibits, and see "The Physics of Football" presentation:

Witness the THUD of a 220 pound "player" hitting an object at top speed;
Watch how a football deforms, as captured with a high speed video camera;
and more

Washburn Observatory

Saturday 1:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. 1401 Observatory Dr.

Starry Transit: Exhibit and Star Gazing

Saturday 1:00 - 5:00 P.M. and 6:30 - 10:00 P.M. Washburn Observatory

Starry Transit: an Installation by Martha Glowacki is a collaborative project between the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and the UW-Madison Department of Astronomy. For the exhibition, Glowacki created several artworks, including a working planisphere and a freestanding cabinet with a tableau of migrating birds perched on fanciful models of constellations. During the Wisconsin Science Festival, several of the artworks that were in Starry Transit will be re-installed in the observatory. A set of prints from UW's Tandem press edition of Natural Philosophies, one of the original pieces in the installation, will also be on view. The public is invited for star gazing between 7:45-10:00 P.M.

Starry Transit Revisited

Saturday 6:30 - 7:30 P.M. Washburn Observatory

Join artist Martha Glowacki, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art curator of education Sheri Castelnuovo, and Jim Lattis, historian of science and director of UW-Madison's Space Place, for a talk in the Washburn Observatory about their collaborative art/science exhibition Starry Transit. Artworks from Starry Transit will be on view, and, weather permitting, public stargazing will be held after the talk.

Orbit

Saturday 7:00 - 8:30 P.M. Cinematheque at Vilas Hall

US, 2011, HD projection, 80 min.
This collection of 13 short works by American independent and avant-garde filmmakers explores the planets in our solar system, demonstrating a love for science through art. The styles range from melancholic essay film to uproarious comedy from a number of talented directors, including Deborah Stratman, Mike Plante, Kelly Sears, Travis Wilkerson, Jim Healy, and UW-Madison Film Professor Bill Brown.

Broadcast Pioneers: Illustrations from the Archive of Wisconsin Center for Film & Theater Research

Saturday 7:00 - 10:00 P.M. Town Center

In conjunction with The Farnsworth Invention performance and the broadcast of WPR's Old Time Radio Drama, the Wisconsin Center for Film & Theater Research will bring a sampling of archival materials related to early television and radio to the Town Center. The exhibit will include a gallery of photographs capturing early experiments in radio at Madison's own WHA, and a video installation featuring episodes of Science Fiction Theatre, one of the first syndicated series to run on TV. WCFTR archivists will also bring a select set of original artifacts for Town Center visitors to view, including production stills, scripts, and historical documents.

An Evening of Invention and Imagination

Saturday 7:00 - 9:30 P.M. Town Center

"An Evening of Invention and Imagination" is a free but ticketed event which starts at 7 p.m. and includes both "The Farnsworth Invention," with a lecture on the history of the television and scenes from the upcoming production, and "The Time Machine," a live radio broadcast of the H.G. Wells classic. Tickets, which must be picked up in person in advance, are available at both UW-Madison Campus Arts Box Offices (WI Union Theater and Vilas Hall) with a limit of two per person. (No phone or web orders.) All guests must arrive no later than 7 p.m. for admittance for the evening.

Forward Theater Company and UW-Madison Theatre and Drama Department will present a lecture and selected scences from Aaron Sorkin’s award-winning 2005 play The Farnsworth Invention, about the race to invent a device called "television." It focuses on the dramatic legal battle between Philo Farnsworth, inventor of the television, and David Sarnoff, president of Radio Corporation of America, who stole his design.

Wisconsin Public Radio's Old Time Radio Drama brings the best of 1930s, 40s, and 50s entertainment to Wisconsin every Saturday and Sunday night. This special performance features a live broadcast of H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, produced by Norman Gilliland and adapted by Patricia Boyette, who will direct student actors from the UW-Madison Department of Theatre and Drama.

Producing partners for the evening are: Wisconsin Public Radio, UW-Madison Department of Theatre and Drama/University Theatre, Forward Theater Company.

Sunday Events

L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum

Sunday 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. 1150 University Ave.

UW Geology Museum

Sunday 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. 1215 West Dayton St.

Explore the Geology Museum and take a peek into Wisconsin's deep history!

Our mineral, rock, and fossil collections have the power to educate and inspire visitors of all ages. Come see for yourself!

Tiny: Art from Microscopes

Sunday Exhibit on display throughout the Festival Town Center

Workshops for Educators, Students and Parents

Sunday 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Town Center

Workshops on stem cells, digital learning, teaching chemistry, and nanotechnology through theater, urban art in the classroom, and more. Click here for a complete listing of events and to sign up for the workshops.

Agar on the Go (1 hour)

This workshop demonstrates how to use preassembled agar kits for culturing bacteria with your students. Teachers will have the opportunity to make agar and will then be able to leave with their very own kit to take back to school on Monday.
Elementary/Middle School

Biotechnilights Bioluminescence: How bacteria talk to each other

Learn how Vibrio harveyi bacteria use a type of bacterial chemical conversation known as quorum sensing. Vibrio harveyi release diffusible chemical signals called autoinducers to coordinate group behaviors. Participate in a hands-on workshop of autoinducer-coordinated bioluminescence using three mutant strains of Vibrio harveyi.
High School

The Blues

The Blues is a workshop that will introduce participants to the magic and history of indigo dye. We will explore simple dye techniques to produce beautifully patterned cloth. Indigo is a fascinating dyeing process used around the world. It requires the careful balancing of chemicals to create an oxygen free environment under the surface of the dye bath. When cloth is removed from the dye vat a remarkable transformation occurs. As the indigo oxidizes the cloth turns from yellow to green to deep blue. It’s exciting and easy!
High School

The BTC Institute – Biotechnology Opportunities (1 hour)

The BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute, located in Madison, Wisconsin, offers a variety of programs to help students and teachers learn about and utilize biotechnology. This workshop will emphasize fundamental biotechnology concepts and techniques in a hands-on way. In addition, we will share tips and resources to help implement biotechnology in the classroom. Come join the fun and:

Model DNA structure and electrophoresis in a variety of ways
Practice using micropipettes
Perform agarose gel electrophoresis of dyes and DNA in order to learn more about charge and size of molecules
Discuss resources available to help implement these techniques in the classroom

High School

Learn to Use Arduino Microcontrollers - It's Easy! (1 hour and 30 min)

 We'll have you up and running with Arduino microcontrollers in no time flat. Arduinos are an open source computer controller that will serve as a great set of brains for your next mad-scientist creation. These controllers are programmed using a standard desktop computer and can do everything from unlock your door to autonomously fly a RC helicopter. We'll be taking a journey covering basic electronics and programming, no experience necessary. You'll learn how to couple an Arduino to a LED light, switch, potentiometer, servo motor, and speaker to create a variety of interactive circuits. Participants may buy arduino circuit boards at the event. Costs range from $30-$100. 
All Ages

Molecular Modeling: Synergy between Physical Models and Computer Visualization Tools

We believe that the invisible world of molecules becomes real when students have an opportunity to hold physical models in their hands. This is true for flexible models made from Toobers, or accurate models made by rapid prototyping technologies. In both cases, the physical models function as thinking tools that stimulate questions that are then addressed using computer visualization tools. In this session, educators will do some hands on experiments using toobers to talk about molecular modeling. Tim Herman from the Center for Bimolecular Modeling will lead this hands-on workshop.
Middle/High School

Nanotechnology

The science of the small, for the very small. In this workshop you will get a NANO 101 overview of the basics of the nanoscale through hands-on activities that you may bring back to your classroom to use on Monday. Presented by researchers from the UW-Madison Materials Research Science and Engineering Center.
Middle/High School

The Next Generation Science Standards Are Coming

With the release of the Framework for K-12 Science Education by the National Academies of Science, the science standards are now being designed by Achieve, Inc. The framework provides the architecture and is the guiding document that Achieve is using to develop the new national science standards. Shelley Lee of the Department of Public Instruction will talk about the framework design, the standards development process, and the impact these documents will have on K-16 science education in Wisconsin.
Elementary/Middle/High School

Science Is Fun: A Workshop for Teachers and Families (at Vilas Hall)

Join Prof. Bassam Shakhashiri and Dr. Rodney Schreiner as they examine the properties of a multitude of substances. See liquids that change color and others that glow in the dark. Analyze the true colors of lights, from candles to LEDs. Investigate some extraordinary properties of some everyday materials. Come and experience the fun of science!

Stem Cells

In Stem Cells 101, Dr. Rupa Shevde will give a 30 minute presentation introducing participants to the work of human pluripotent stem cells. Participants will observe pluripotent stem cell cultures under a microscope and explore pluripotent stem cell maintenance and propagation. Educational materials will be given to all participants.
High School

Synthetic or Natural Dyes-A Hands-on Workshop (1 hour and 15 min)

There is a big debate about synthetic fibers and dyes in comparison to the natural ones. This presentation will discuss the limitations, advantages, and disadvantages of these fibers and dyes. It will also provide information about their sustainability. Production of Nylon fibers and dye-ability of natural and synthetic fibers will be demonstrated.
High School

Taking the Matter Lightly (1 hour)

Why is a rose red and how can I use a hot wire to tell me about the structure of molecules? This workshop will cover how light interacts with matter to provide insights into the molecule’s form. You will use infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy to measure chemical properties of common materials, including paints, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. These simple and relevant examples will assist you in teaching basic principles and practical applications of chemistry and physics.
Middle/High School

Teaching with NOVA-Iron Science Teacher meets Making Stuff

In this workshop, teachers are invited to engage in a variety of interactive science experiments based on the NOVA series Making Stuff. Robots will be built, mystery materials will be created (it could get messy!), and some friendly competition will be had. By the end of the session, teachers will leave with Making Stuff activity guides and many ideas to share with their students.
Elementary/Middle/High School

Teaching Science through Drama and Dance

How can science, which strives to be objective and data-driven, be presented with creativity and imagination? How can an educator break through the fear or anxiety some students feel toward science? Fusion Science Theater (FST) has combined best practices from science teaching with theater techniques to produce shows that are investigative, interactive, multi-modal, and verifiably educational. This workshop will explore the Act-It-Out, an FST technique of modeling science processes through kinesthetic participation. Educators will learn how to use Act-It-Outs to explain basic science concepts from a particulate level.
Elementary

Virulent

Researchers at the new Morgridge Institute for Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have released the biomedical research organization's first digital learning game created through collaborations among scientists and education researchers. Now you get to see them in action as you take on the role of a virus. "We fight off host and cellular immune responses with armies of our virions, RNA genomes, and viral proteins. We steal energy and manipulate cell resources to spread our infection. We are infectious, we are disease, we are the Raven Virus. We have numbers and speed on our side, use us wisely and recklessly."
Middle/High School

Science Festival Street Fair

Sunday 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Town Center

The Science and Politics of Coffee

Sunday 10:00 - 11:30 A.M. Aldo's Cafe, Town Center

Ever wonder how to make a perfect espresso? What’s the ideal temperature for a French press pot? And what’s the deal with "Fair Trade" anyway? Find out the answers to these questions and more! Geek out with the science of coffee and get informed on the current politics and challenges of global coffee markets with passionate experts from Just Coffee Cooperative and Aldo’s Café. Join us for a cup and what is sure to be a fun and intriguing look at the world's most popular beverage. Please consider pre-registering. This event is free.

Bioethics Trek: Star Trek

Sunday 10:00 A.M. Marquee Theater, Union South

This guided exploration of Star Trek begins with the original series and continues through Voyager, offering a unique opportunity to examine pressing questions in ethics and human behavior. Renowned bioethicist Alta Charo presides over a viewing and discussion of selected episodes. Bioethics debates surrounding sensitive or controversial subjects, including sex, abortion, genetic selection or modification, animal rights, and euthanasia can be difficult to discuss for fear of giving offense. Through the vehicle of science fiction, analogs of these subjects can be explored within the context of alien cultures and norms, such as those found in Star Trek.

Sounds, Movements, and Minds: Science and Technology Meet Music and Dance

Sunday 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Learn how technology can make you sing better or understand how sound impacts health and learn how physics, biomechanics, and the great horned owl can come together to help teach dance. With hands-on activities, lectures, and demonstrations for people of all ages, explore how science and technologies impact our experience of creating and responding to music.

Visual Feedback for Singing Instruction

Sunday 10:00 A.M., 11:00 A.M., & 12:00 P.M. Town Center

James Doing shows how the software program VoceVista, which displays real time spectrum analysis, can be used in vocal instruction. The first 30 minutes of this program will be informational followed by 30 minutes of Q&A and participation. In this demonstration, you will see how visualization of acoustics can help students understand and identify strategies for negotiating passaggio/register transitions. Come warmed up!

Sound Health: Bringing Music to Medicine

Sunday 10:30 A.M. Town Center

Sound Health is a community service program offered by the School of Music and UW Hospital and Clinics. An overview and sample performances will be presented, and stories of the impact of Sound Health will be shared by the participants. For more information, visit http://music.wisc.edu/soundhealth.

A Catalyst for Scientific Learning: DANCE is the "Element" that works!

Sunday 10:00 A.M., 11:00 A.M., & 12:00 P.M. Town Center

Karen McShane Hellenbrand, Faculty Associate, MFA, discusses her three-week residency—using dance as an instructional methodology for integrating curriculum. The residency involved nearly 500 students who worked with the artist in their individual classes three times, and then together as full grades, and finally as an entire school to perform together in two public presentations. Students learned about the great horned owl through dance, applied mapping skills to create a dance study, explored balance and motion, investigated airplanes and lift, thrust, drag, and weight, as well as dynamic forces affecting airplane flight. Movement foci, such as biomechanics for elevation and landing, acceleration and deceleration, qualities of movement (force), and other elements of dance, were simultaneously taught.

NOVA in Madison

Sunday 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

What's Coming Up This Fall on NOVA?

Sunday 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Town Center

Get a behind the scenes peek of what is coming up this fall from NOVA! We will be showcasing footage from both "Finding Life Beyond Earth" and our four hour mini-series "The Fabric of the Cosmos," based on Brian Greene's national bestselling book.

Teaching with NOVA-Iron Science Teacher meets Making Stuff

Sunday 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Town Center

In this workshop, teachers are invited to engage in a variety of interactive science experiments based on the NOVA series "Making Stuff." Robots will be built, mystery materials will be created (it could get messy!), and some friendly competition will be had. By the end of the session, teachers will leave with "Making Stuff" activity guides and many ideas to share with their students!

CAVE Tour

Sunday 11:00 and 11:30 A.M. Town Center

Tour the virtual reality laboratory "CAVE".

Town Center Tour

Sunday 12:00 P.M. & 2:00 P.M. Town Center

The guided tour lasts approximately 30-40 minutes and covers the Town Center.

Washburn Observatory

Sunday 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. 1401 Observatory Dr.

Curing Cancer and Self-Replicating Robots: Emerging Technologies and Public Perception

Sunday 1:00 P.M. Town Center

The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters presents Professor Dietram Scheufele's nanotech discussion.

Connect and Disconnect with Nature and Technology: Mixing up Tech and Nature with New Ideas

Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 P.M.

A collection of artists and scientists use a combination of materials from nature and modern technologies to explore the ways in which new and old come together in both clashes and harmonies through their art, inventions, and developing ideas. Attend these sessions and you just might be able to say what current work with beeswax, color experiments, gardens, and steampunk have in common. Does that sound crazy? That’s all the more reason to attend. Nature lovers, technology gurus, and everyone in-between are welcome to attend these all ages sessions.

Creature Comforts, Insect Art Exhibition

Sunday All day Town Center

Jenny Angus primarily works with insects but recently began to incorporate beeswax. She creates dioramas in which vintage style dollhouses and furniture are covered in wax. Insects appear to live in and carry out activities in these spaces. Typically, a diorama creates a realistic scene; however, in hers the insects inhabit a monochromatic brown world of beeswax. The subdued landscape is both surreal and provocative.

Transformative Sculpture: Natural Detritus

Sunday 1:30, 2:30 & 3:15 P.M. Town Center

Beverly Gordon presents "Tierra" sculptures, a series of figures incorporating fiber with natural materials such as bones, shells, and other plant and animal parts. Inspired and informed by the ways native peoples have worked with natural materials of the earth, the work marks a return to Gordon’s roots as a studio artist and has brought her into a closer relationship with the natural world, ecological cycles, environments, and plants and animals.

Steampunk: Retooling 21^st Century Technology to Fit 18^th Century Values

Sunday Every 30 minutes from 1:00 P.M. Town Center

Blending future technology with Victorian culture, Steampunk is a fairly prevalent contemporary subculture that retools and re-engineers technology such as computers to reflect the cultural values of the 19^th Century. It is an intersection of the DIY movement, postmodern design, and a cultural desire to change the relationship between technology and daily life. Imagine an iPad that looks and feels like an antique typewriter. Mark Nelson will present this combination of lecture and discussion.

DIY Smart Garden

Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. Town Center

The DIY Smart Garden is a sustainable, Internet enabled, indoor vegetable garden fabricated from recycled materials and open source hardware and software. The environmental conditions of the garden can be controlled remotely via a web app or through text messages. During the presentation, Meg Mitchell will discuss the artistic tradition of controlling and shaping the biological and contemporary trends in creative horticulture. She will also provide viewers with written literature and web resources on simple technologies that can be applied in the home garden.

Science Is Fun: A Workshop for Teachers and Families

Sunday 1:15 P.M. Mitchell Theater, Vilas Hall

Startup Cinema: Conversation and The Social Network

Sunday 2:00 P.M. Town Center

The Entrepreneurs' Resource Clinic adds to the excitement of the Wisconsin Science Festival by hosting a "startup social." Meet UW entrepreneurs from all fields, hear about their successes and failures, and learn what’s next on the horizon for them. The discussion will be moderated by John Roach, President and Founder of John Roach Projects, an Emmy-award winning video and film production company based in Madison.

The Social Network

Sunday Following Startup Cinema Town Center

Building on the discussion about entrepreneurial practice and startups from the Startup Cinema: Conversation and The Social Network session, we will show a free screening of the critically acclaimed film The Social Network, featuring the rise and fall of Facebook founder and CEO Marcus Zuckerberg. The popcorn is on us!