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Science events explore UW’s wild side

August 17, 1999 By Brian Mattmiller

It’s not every day someone can journey through the human eye, pluck some gooey DNA from a test tube, plant a garden in a 35mm film can, or search for critters in a scoop of Lake Mendota muck – all in one leisurely trek through campus.

See also:
Sesquicentennial Celebration parking tips

But for one day on Aug. 22, UW–Madison will be pulling out all the stops with more than a dozen events showcasing the sights, sounds and sensations of university science.

“This campus is a great place for people of all ages to come to explore and develop their science savvy,” says Tom Zinnen, a biotechnology outreach specialist with UW–Madison Extension. “We’re delighted to offer this opportunity for parents and grandparents to share the excitement of science with their children.”

Part of the Aug. 21-22 Sesquicentennial Weekend, all of the events are free and family-oriented. Virtually the entire campus will open its doors with tours, concerts, special events and freebies. Parking in university lots will be free all Sunday, and buses will shuttle visitors between the major event sites along special routes. Information booths will have complete schedules and they are available at many locations in the Madison area.

More than just a good time, the events will show off some of the leading-edge research from campus labs. Visitors can indulge their sense of adventure with the following:

  • A Journey Inside the Eye: Learn more about eye research from the UW Medical School’s department of ophthalmology and visual sciences. Stop by to have a color photograph taken of your retina, and really look into your own eyes. Tent area off University Bay Drive behind the UW Hospital and Clinics, 9 a.m.-noon.
  • Concrete Canoes, Steel Bridges and Future Cars: See a concrete canoe and steel bridge, both recent winners of 1999 regional student competitions, and find out how they fared in the national competition. And get a look at UW–Madison’s national champion FutureCar, a hybrid electric vehicle that gets more than 70 miles per gallon. Library Mall, noon-5 p.m.
  • Freshwater Research — Discover the Science of Limnology: The study of inland lakes, or limnology, began right here at UW–Madison. Use some of the cool tools of the trade to explore the teeming world beneath the surface of Lake Mendota. Alumni Pier behind the Memorial Union Terrace on Lake Mendota, 1-5 p.m.
  • Behind the Scenes at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital: Tour the school’s teaching hospital, discover exciting new technologies and see veterinary services for all species of animals, from labradors to lizards. Participants will be able to hear a dog’s heart beat, make get-well cards for pets in the school’s critical care unit and learn from veterinary students how to bandage a pretend fracture. Entrance to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, 2015 Linden Drive West, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
  • Med Flight Tours: Tour the hospital’s critical care helicopter and learn about the advanced technology that speeds emergency care to accident victims and critically ill patients. Talk to pilots and medical staff about the special training behind their life-saving work. Tent area off University Bay Drive behind hospital, 9 a.m.-noon.
  • Carillon Tour: Ever wondered what it would be like to be in the carillon bell tower during a concert? Today is your day. Climb the stairs of this 85-foot tower to see the 56-bell camber with its arched openings. Ten-minute concerts are planned on the hour and half-hour, 1160 Observatory Drive, 1-5 p.m.
  • The Wonders of Physics: This program is designed to spark interest in physics for people of all ages and backgrounds. The 16-year-old program, run by physics professor Clint Sprott, features wild and flashy technology such as a million-volt Tesla coil, a powerful laser and a bowling-ball pendulum. Great Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., 3-4 p.m.
  • From Cows to Wows! A Menu of Discovery: Explore an agricultural and life sciences fair throughout the central campus from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. At the Stock Pavilion, check out research displays, pet a calf, get free Babcock Hall ice cream and enjoy a picnic lunch.
  • Dairy Barn: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 1915 Linden Drive. Peer inside the 101-year-old UW Dairy Barn, featuring one of the world’s oldest round silos. Here in 1907, scientists started research that led to the discovery of vitamins. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 1915 Linden Drive.
  • Science House: Learn how to grow Wisconsin Fast Plants, miniature cabbages that complete their life cycle in roughly a month. And make your own miniature gardens of mosses and ferns using 35mm film canisters. 1645 Linden Drive, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
  • Cows, Wow! And How? Check out displays on genomics and try your hand at extracting DNA from plants. The first 500 participants receive a free DNA sample. Genetics/Biotechnology Building, 425 Henry Mall, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.