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Neville Public Museum, UW-Madison host day of discovery

November 5, 1999

Visitors to the Neville Public Museum on Wednesday, Nov. 17, may find a new experience around every corner, like the chance to extract DNA from a plant, study strange Lake Michigan critters or examine Martian meterorites.

The occasion is a partnership between the Neville Public Museum and UW–Madison to bring an educational “day of discovery” to the people of northeast Wisconsin. The event is free and open to school groups, after-school organizations and the general public.

More than a dozen UW–Madison faculty and staff will give informal talks and interactive presentations throughout the day, many of them on topics of local interest.

“I think it is fun that the two institutions working together can provide a wonderful experience in all these fields of study. It’s a unique opportunity for our region, so I hope many people take advantage of it,” said Museum Director Ann L. Koski.

“We’re excited about this collaboration, especially because the Neville Museum is such a terrific public resource,” added Peyton Smith of the UW–Madison Office of the Chancellor. “This event allows us to share fascinating research and continue to build new relationships in the region.”

Two daytime events, called “Whys and Wows,” will feature UW–Madison presenters stationed throughout the museum’s regular exhibits, showcasing their research and ideas. Talks and displays will relate to current Museum exhibits on fire, extraterrestrial encounters, Native American culture and history, Depression-era art, and others.

Those programs will run throughout the day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and again from 3:30-5 p.m. to accommodate after-school groups. In addition, the Neville will host a special public lecture at 7 p.m. in the Museum’s Learning Center/Auditorium by UW–Madison geologist William Barker called “The Search for Life on Mars.”

Barker will discuss ongoing UW–Madison studies of Martian meteorite ALH84001, the rock that sparked a provocative debate over whether it held evidence of previous life on Mars. He will bring actual pieces of the meteorite and discuss future robotic sampling missions to Mars.

Among other daytime presentations:

  • Joseph Salmons, professor of German and director of the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies, will explore how immigrant languages have influenced Wisconsin culture. Learn to say “hello” in a variety of languages, such as Ho-Chunk, Ojibwe and Hmong.
  • Melody Hasse, educator with the UW–Madison Biotechnology Center, will run the hands-on experiment “Doing DNA: Decode of Life.” Students will learn about DNA – the blueprint for all living things – and extract some from a plant.
  • Zoltan Grossman, a geography lecturer, will present a map’s-eye view of northeast Wisconsin. Grossman, editor of the 1998 book “Wisconsin Past and Present: A Historical Atlas,” will show maps relating to the Peshtigo fire, the state timber and paper industries, the Menominee and Oneida Nations, and other regional topics.
  • Entomology graduate student Kerry Katovich and colleagues will discuss disappearing insect species in Wisconsin, including the American Burying Beetle. Learn about the importance of species diversity and see some live “cousins” of the extinct beetle.
  • Vicky Harris, Green Bay-based water quality specialist for the UW Sea Grant Institute, will have a program on “How to be a Clean Bay Backer.” She will give tips on how families can protect water quality, and offer an up-close look at exotic species harming Lake Michigan.

The Neville event is part of a week of UW–Madison activities in Green Bay called “On The Road.” This statewide series of visits during UW–Madison’s 150th anniversary celebration continues the university’s tradition of contributing to the lives of Wisconsin citizens.

In addition, “On The Road” helps establish a continuing dialogue with state citizens about the future of the university. Speaking engagaements with community service groups and business leaders are also planned.

UW–Madison also plans a series of events in Green Bay schools during the week of Nov. 15, which is American Education Week. Special topics include integrating the Internet into the classroom and shaping successful and positive school cultures. For more information on the school program, contact project assistant Carole Trone at (608) 265-4105.