Learn About the Annual UW-Madison Science Expeditions!
April 2024
By Daniel Del Carpio
Edited by Dannah Altiti
Every year, the University of Wisconsin-Madison hosts a science fair called the UW Science Expeditions. This science fair showcases numerous activities for visitors, including Science Spectaculars shows, exploration stations, and tours around all the science buildings on campus. The Science Spectaculars shows provide the audience with informative presentations on topics ranging from astronomy to biology, with a special presentation this year that centered around the solar eclipse. The exploration stations, located at the Engineering and Chamberlain Halls, offer a more hands-on experience, allowing visitors to interact directly with various physics topics. The UW-Madison Science Expeditions have been around since 2000, initially aiming to inspire the next generation of scientists by fostering an appreciation for science and its many fields. The event typically takes place in the spring, this year being held from April 5-7, drawing science enthusiasts from across the country to engage in fun activities right here on campus.
Activities to Enjoy at the Science Expeditions Fair
Over the past few years, one of the fan-favorite events that the Science Expeditions offers is the Wonders of Physics Show at the L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum in Chamberlain Hall. The show is packed with different physics concepts and models to demonstrate their real-life applications. One of these exhibits is the optics and color exhibit. At this exhibit, visitors can see what the effects of convex, plane, and concave mirrors are like. They are also able to see the properties of color and their different wavelengths through Stokes’ Law and the use of lasers.
Visitors can also go to the College of Engineering Makerspace at Wendt Commons. At the Makerspace, attendees are able to observe how innovation takes place. Through the numerous 3D printers, soldering irons, and laser cutters, the workshop offers an environment where anyone can create. Lastly, there is a special event for this year’s show centered around the solar eclipse on April 8. The Astronomy department had set up 5-inch telescopes with a projection device attached to them that allowed for the solar eclipse to be projected onto a piece of paper. Lucy Steffes, from the UW Astronomy Club, was selling solar eclipse glasses: “We have been here since noon and have sold 1300 eclipse glasses…we anticipate on selling another 1000 glasses.” Overall, the event went great, and although a solar eclipse cannot be repeated every year, the Science Expeditions fair always comes up with fun, relevant topics to appeal to many people.
UW-Madison’s Science Expeditions is crucial in instilling the future generation of scientists with the enthusiasm necessary to pursue their dreams of working a career in the STEM field. Through the numerous activities and events detailed, students can directly engage in complex scientific topics with a hands-on approach. From learning about the laws of physics to exploring ecological systems, and even the human genome, the UW-Madison Science Expeditions can help build a strong foundation in STEM that can lead to a lifelong passion for discovery and innovation.
Works Cited:
Eclipse throws shade, delighting campus. News. (2024, April 8). https://news.wisc.edu/eclipse-throws-shade-delighting-campus/
Science expeditions of the past. Science Outreach on Campus. (n.d.). https://science.wisc.edu/archives/science-expeditions-of-the-past/
WUW-Madison – Wisc education https://science.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/291/2022/03/SciExpMapSchedTime2022-4.pdf
