STEM Saturdays
Science - Technology - Engineering - Math
(For Students in grades 4-8)
Scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians explore and shape the world around us. Their work creates artificial limbs and computer games, green technology and smart phones, DNA tests and the newest vaccines. A new generation of students, researchers, scientists and engineers are needed to fulfill the diversity and potential of the STEM fields.
Taught by UW-L professors, STEM Saturdays are designed to fuel children’s interest in science and math.
Come experience the excitement of STEM!
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Shards of the Past: Experimental Archaeology
Connie Arzigian, Ph.D.
Stones, bones and potsherds: these are often all that archaeologists have to reconstruct past lifeways. We'll examine the artifacts that tell us about 12,000 years of Wisconsin prehistory. Then we'll make and use our own stone tools, cordage, and ceramics, learn how to identify bones and seeds, and explore how ancient people lived and adapted.
November 21
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
La Crosse Campus
$29
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2010 Spring Dates: Jan. 16, Feb. 20, March 20 and April 17
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Movie Production through Computer Programming
Kenny Hunt, Ph.D., Computer Science
Computers are used to power cell phones, assist surgeons and nurses, keep cars running, send email and create movies. In this workshop we will learn the basics of computer programming by writing, directing and filming a movie script. We will construct a virtual 3D world involving dancing figure skaters, singing frogs, and polar penguins and direct these objects by creating a programming script and then record it all using a virtual camera that follows our every instruction.
January 16, 2010
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
La Crosse Campus
$29
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The Wonderful World of Plankton
Eric Strauss, Ph.D., River Studies Center, Biology
Plankton is much more than a regular character on SpongeBob SquarePants. In fact, it is a very abundant and diverse group of organisms living beneath the surface of the water of our oceans, lakes, and rivers. We will explore this amazing diversity of organisms in the laboratory using microscopes to view many different kinds of plant and animal plankton and to learn some basic identification skills. We will also perform a few experiments to examine their behavior to see how they respond to different environmental situations. Finally, we will take some measurements to see how plankton affect their environment and we will gain some real insight on why this group of organisms is important to the health of our planet.
February 20, 2010
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
La Crosse Campus
$29
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Fun with Physics
Robert Ragan, Ph.D., Physics
Explore the fascinating world of physics! Mechanics, electricity and magnetism, engineering design principles are investigated. Included are hands-on experiments and demonstrations involving (1) roller coasters, (2) electric motors and magnets, and (3) computer-assisted bridge design.
March 20, 2010
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
La Crosse Campus
$29
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The Amazing World of Fractals (in 1.33 dimensions!)
Robert Ragan, Ph.D. Physics
The weird, intricate, beautiful shapes called fractals are everywhere. Many natural objects, snowflakes, trees, coastlines, etc. are fractals. Their study is a new and exciting area in mathematical physics. In this session have some fun exploring a few famous geometric fractals with paper and pencil as well as computers, plus learn about some of the properties of fractals that make them so amazing, like self-similarity and fractal dimension. Finally, we will look at some examples of random fractals like forest fire patterns and stock market fluctuations.
April 17, 2010
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
La Crosse Campus
$29
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Offered in Partnership with Space Education Initiatives.
For more Information:Karen Langaard,
608.785.6508 or langaard.kare@uwlax.edu
