Wisconsin Science Festival
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Science, it’s everywhere — as anyone who has ever dropped a glass knows. During this statewide fest, 300 events in 40-plus counties (some with livestreaming) take place. Demos, performances, films and more will deepen everyone’s knowledge of the physical world. Here in Madison one of the biggest events of the fest is Science on the Square, which combines hands-on, all-ages science activities and demonstrations with the Madison Night Market (5-9 p.m., Oct. 19, State Street area). For a searchable guide of all the events, see wisconsinsciencefest.org.
media release: Ready, set, science! The annual Wisconsin Science Festival, a statewide celebration with an array of activities and events happening October 16-22, is fast approaching.
Taking place during what Gov. Evers has once again proclaimed as Wisconsin Science Week, the weeklong festival boasts more than 300 events in 40-plus counties throughout the state. All are welcome to join the festivities through hands-on science exhibitions, performances, tours, pub nights, talks with scientists and authors, film screenings and so much more.
Each year, the Wisconsin Science Festival highlights a specific aspect of the world around us. In celebration of the many milestone anniversaries happening in Wisconsin, this year’s official festival feature is time and its influence on science, art and technology.
Sam Mulrooney, director of the Wisconsin Science Festival, says, "Time is one of our most precious resources and one of the most mysterious forces in our universe. It's all around us, but many of us take it for granted. From Norwalk to Belleville, Marinette to Madison, we’re holding a number of events around the state that highlight the importance of time."
One of those events is a special screening of “The End is Nye: Midnight at Noon,” part of a new series starring Bill Nye, who uses science to demystify our planet’s disasters and phenomena. Show director Brannon Braga and producer Rachel Hargreaves-Heald will host a Q&A session after the screening for both the in-person audience and viewers online.
A new addition to the festival is How it’s Made in Wisconsin. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and held in partnership with Wisconsin Tech Month, the initiative highlights unique products made in our state and the manufacturing processes that use science and technology to bring them to life.
“Each year it is so wonderful to see all of the amazing opportunities Wisconsinites have to explore the world around them and just be curious,” says Mulrooney. “We have a vast amount of expertise, creativity and innovation in Wisconsin, and the festival is a fantastic way to help connect these networks to inspire further engagement year-round.”
More than 60 Wisconsin libraries are among the dozens of event sites across the state. For the third year in a row, select library locations will distribute more than 2,000 Science in a Bag STEM Kits, which are free for local families to take home. Inside the kits are hands-on science and art activities that connect to research conducted throughout Wisconsin.
As one of the participating locations, New Berlin Public Library will also open up its Maker Studio for in-person craft projects available to community members of all ages. Activities include making your own fossils, duct tape watches and sundials.
“I really like this whole program with the Wisconsin Science Festival because it gives people of all ages and all demographics a chance to learn something new,” says Christine Weichart, a youth services librarian at the New Berlin Public Library. “It opens the world a little bit more.”
The weeklong Wisconsin Science Festival is a great time to unleash your curiosity and discover how science connects to our everyday lives. Explore nature at our BioBlitz. Take in a book talk with an award-winning author. Or celebrate Wisconsin’s tech industry with Wisconsin Tech Month. With hundreds of events throughout the state, there’s something for everyone!
For the full festival schedule, visit the Wisconsin Science Festival website.
Highlighted Madison area events Include:
Big Ideas for Busy People: Am AI Art Too? October 17, 2023, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Union South Marquee Theater | 1308 W Dayton St. Join us for a captivating exploration of the dynamic interplay between arts and artificial intelligence at Big Ideas for Busy people — a quick-paced flash talk event, guided by the expertise of Chris Walker, distinguished professor and visionary director of the UW-Madison Division of the Arts, joined by Aaron Greer, associate professor, UW-Madison Communication Arts; Dionne Nichole Champion, research associate professor, University of Florida College of the Arts; and Mary Simoni, acting provost, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
This is a free event but registration is required as seats are limited.
Following the panel, join UW-Madison Division of the Arts for an Arts Together reception and continued discussion following the event in the Marquee Lounge (6-7p) Register here. This event will also be livestreamed. If you would like to attend virtually =
The End Is Nye: Midnight at Noon October 17, 2023, from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Union South Marquee Theater | 1308 W Dayton St. Join us for a captivating evening of scientific exploration as we present a special screening of “The End is Nye,” a thought-provoking television series featuring Bill Nye that delves into the complex existential threats facing our planet. Following the screening, engage in an enlightening discussion with acclaimed creator Brannon Braga, director and showrunner behind numerous science fiction classics, and Rachel Hargreaves-Heald, vice president at Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions.
This is a free event but registration is required as seats at the Union South Marquee Theater are limited. This event will also be livestreamed. Prior to this event there will be an informal reception in the Marquee lounge area (6-7p.m.) presented by UW-Madison Division of the Arts, Arts Together.
Science on the Square/Madison Night Market Fusion October 19, 2023, from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Downtown Madison
Join us for one fantastic night that blends science with downtown Madison businesses! Back for its sixth year, the ever-popular Science on the Square event is again fusing with the Madison Night Market to create a unique way to explore hands-on science activities while also supporting local businesses and vendors. This year, in celebration of the many milestone anniversaries happening around our state, we are proud to focus on time and its influence on science, art and technology.
At Science on the Square, outdoor STEM-themed activities will mix with Madison Night Market vendor tents throughout State Street. Indoor locations will showcase interesting exhibits, talks, or menu/product specials for you to check out as well. Learn more about the science that surrounds us every day while exploring downtown Madison. Be sure to stop by the top of State Street (near the capitol) to see physics demonstrations, rock out with iHeart Radio/Madison Z104 Host Jena, and create a fun glowing design on a giant Science Brite. Then make your way down to Lisa Link Peace Park (400 block) for live music with Kat and the Hurricane (5p.m.) and Elements (7p.m.)!
The Wisconsin Science Festival and Madison’s Central Business Improvement District are proud to bring you an event you won’t want to miss. Join us in downtown Madison between 5 and 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, for fun for all ages!
SoundWaves: Celebrations of Time, Part 1 October 20, 2023, from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Discovery Building | 330 N Orchard St, Madison. This year, SoundWaves will be looking back to milestones from the past as a springboard to learn about our world today. At this opening event of the year, held at the Discovery Building, learn about beer and wine, museums, radio, DNA, and the flute at our first Celebrations of Time event.
Featuring: Victor Ujor, food science; Amy Weeks, biochemistry; Tom Dale, art history; Jim Reardon, physics; Conor Nelson, music; Daniel Grabois, SoundWaves Curator.
Event is free of charge but registration is requested as space is limited.
Crossroads of Ideas: Comparing the Creative Process in Science and Art October 22, 2023, from 10:30 am - 11:30 am, Central Library, Community Room 302 | 201 W Mifflin St. There is more overlap between scientific research and creative writing than you may think! Both involve a process of research, creative thought and storytelling, and in this panel we will discuss what these disciplines have in common and what each can take from the other. Acclaimed novelist Chloe Benjamin (THE IMMORTALISTS) uses science to inform her fiction, while data scientist and statistician Claudia Solis-Lemus writes fiction and memoir when she isn’t researching evolutionary biology and microbiome. Moderated by novelist and WID writer in residence Michelle Wildgen.
In partnership with Wisconsin Book Festival. Registration is requested as space is limited.
Nature Explorers: Join the Wisconsin BioBlitz! October 16-22, 2023, statewide. During the Wisconsin Science Festival BioBlitz, join with people from all across the state from sunrise on Monday, October 16, until sunset on Sunday, October 22. Download the iNaturalist app on your device (optional but encouraged), find at least 10 species in the environment around you and add your observations to the Wisconsin Science Festival BioBlitz project on iNaturalist.
Here is some more info about iNaturalist to help you get started: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/getting+started