Wisconsin Science Festival Call for Participation

Hello!

We are the statewide coordinators for the Wisconsin Science Festival, and we are messaging librarians throughout Wisconsin to grow participation in 2017. Now in its 7^th year, the Festival is a free, statewide event aimed at engaging citizens with the science, engineering, and technology all around them.

To those of you who have already submitted an event this year (or in years past), thank you for your participation! The Festival wouldn’t happen without you.

If you have not participated before, please join us! Each year, the number of participating libraries has grown, and our goal is to extend invitations to as many libraries in Wisconsin as possible:

• Check out the list below of past Festival events organized by Wisconsin libraries
• Learn more about the Festival at our website: http://wiscifest.org
• Consider hosting an event: http://wiscifest.org/host
• Forward this message to anyone else that might be interested...it’s not just for libraries!

If you have any questions, our team is also happy to have a conversation with you at any time about the Festival, how it works, and what we can do for you. Feel free to email or call us directly.

We look forward to working with you!

The Wisconsin Science Festival
Statewide Program Coordinators

Shauna Baranczyk sbaranczyk@warf.org (608) 316-4391

Wes Marner wmarner@morgridge.org (608) 316-4716

Sam Mulrooney smulrooney@warf.org (608) 316-4390

2016 Wisconsin Science Festival Library Events

Creepy Crawly Cuisine: Eating Insects Around the World

Brown County Library

Stinkbug paté, deep-fried tarantula, “pork sausage with crunchy heads”...Enjoy true facts about how people from various cultures eat bugs accidentally and on purpose, and watch a PowerPoint slideshow that may make your skin crawl. This 30-40 minute presentation features a variety of nonfiction books, with connections made to geography, biology and nutrition. A food prep demonstration with live mealworms will be featured. The presentation can be combined with a library tour and/or time to browse and check out library materials. Option: Ask about getting Brown County Library cards for your group before you visit.

Juno and Curiosity: Exploring in Extreme Environments on Jupiter and Mars

Oshkosh Public Library

Using a program learned through training with NASA staff members, we explore the terrain of Mars and Jupiter to learn about extreme atmospheric conditions scientists must contend with when designing spacecraft that will travel to and gather information from Mars or Jupiter. Participants (in groups of 2-4) then use materials given to them to design and construct a rover, space probe, or other spacecraft to explore Mars or Jupiter. Teams also have an opportunity to share their design and its features with other program participants. Finally, projects will then be displayed in the library for several weeks.

Weather Science
Marathon County Public Library

Children in grades K-5 can join us at the library to learn about weather with some wacky and wild experiments! Explore how clouds work, make a hurricane, and more.  This event is geared towards children K-5 and is free and open to the public.

Banana Autopsy

Marathon County Public Library

Join us in learning about how forensic science learns about the time and manner of death by performing a banana autopsy. Teens will autopsy a banana "victim," record and report their findings. Participants will be using cutting and sewing tools.

Hands On Science

Pewaukee Public Library

Catapults, magnets, Keva Planks, slime, and more will be available for kids and their adults to experiment with during Hands On Science at the Pewaukee Public Library. Come prepared to engage your curiosity and discover the world around you!

Radical Reptiles and Amazing Amphibians

Pewaukee Public Library

Come and meet some terrific cold-blooded animals and people who know all about them at the Pewaukee Public Library. Our friends from the Madison Area Herpetological Society will be here with live animals to teach us about their unique qualities. Learn more about the intriguing creatures that share our world!

Stargazing with the Pewaukee Astronomy Club

Pewaukee Public Library

Curious about the night sky? Our friends from the Pewaukee Astronomy Club will set up their telescopes outside the Library so you can take a better look at the wonders of the universe. If the weather doesn't cooperate, they will offer an informative presentation with slides taken by the telescope in the Harken Observatory located in the library building. If you've always wondered what is up there, this is a great chance to learn more! Dress warmly, we will be outside, behind the library. Parking lot lights may be turned off for better visibility.

KidsLab: Imagine, Explore, Create!

Pauline Haass Public Library

Drop in to our library's KidsLab, a maker-style space for curious kids. Science-loving teen volunteers will be on hand to assist with exploring our STEAM-based activities. Try your hand at the following: snap circuits, squishy circuits, rock painting, circle art, CD weaving, cardboard construction totem poles, code-your-name beading, kinetic sand sculpture, stop-motion animation, KEVA plank building, marble run design, and more!