‘Science Expeditions’ offers public a fun spin on university science

Science is fun and that’s no April fools.

On April 1, during the UW–Madison Science Expeditions, people can discover for themselves just how fundamental science can be at the free annual open house, which takes place from 1-4 p.m. at the Engineering Centers Building and Engineering Hall.

“We’re hoping our visitors experience both amazement and eagerness to get more involved in the sciences,” says UW–Madison biotechnology policy and outreach specialist Tom Zinnen. “This event is a way for individuals and families to connect to the wide range of science outreach resources at the university.”

Organized by UW–Madison’s Science Alliance, the fourth annual Science Expeditions event welcomes people of all ages to experience science as discovery. Four “Science Spectaculars” will be offered at the event and each show will be offered three times throughout the day.

Among the offerings: Civil and environmental engineer David Noyce will navigate a trip through “The Wonders of Transportation;” bacteriologist Cathy Vrentas will lead a “Microbial Safari;” members of the Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy will present “Science is Fun;” and physics outreach coordinator Jim Reardon will lead “The Wonders of Physics.”

“The science spectaculars give a lot of people a chance to see some amazing things in physics, chemistry, life science or engineering in a half-hour show,” says Zinnen.

The event also features 40 hands-on exploration stations in the Engineering Centers Building, including the Zero Gravity Team, Hybrid Vehicle, What Makes Feathers Tick, Bugs Go Marching On, Achy Breaky Chicken Heart and much more. At each station, Zinnen says visitors will get to talk with a scientist and be guided through different experiments.

Two science museums on campus will also be holding special hours on April 1. The Geology Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum features rocks, minerals, meteorites and more. The Ingersoll Physics Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring hands-on exhibits. And don’t forget the Allen Centennial Gardens, open daily from dawn to dusk.

For more information, including times and locations of shows, check out www.science.wisc.edu or call (608) 263-2400. All Science Expeditions events on April 1 are free, along with free parking in Lot 17 at 1549 Engineering Drive. The Engineering Centers building and Engineering Hall are at 1550 and 1415 Engineering Drive, respectively.