Workshops
A page within Hands-On Science
"My daughter loved the sessions! They are more sophisticated than her school science classes—it increased her interest in science a great deal."
Parent of past participant
Workshop Groups
Group 1
Making Bones Speak
Connie Arzigian, Ph.D. – Archaeology and Antropology
Ever wondered how scientists identify someone just from their bones? In this workshop, we’ll look at some (replica) human bones that were found in the woods. You’ll figure out the sex, age, height, and ancestry of the person, to help identify the remains for the police, and see how forensic scientists work.
Learning with Nature
Heidi Masters, Ph.D. – Educational Studies
Plants, animals, humans, oh my! Come and engage in the outdoors to explore relationships between plants, animals, humans, and the environment.
Creepy and Crawly Adaptations
Drew Lysaker & Bug Hartsock, Graduate Students – Biology
What makes insects so successful? What sorts of adaptations do they have that have allowed them to be spread across the globe? We will explore insect adaptations and get to see insects from across the world! We’ll also get to meet some of the insects in our lab as well as go out and catch (and release) insects on campus!”
Going Green
Charlotte Roberts, Ed.M. – Educational Studies
Come learn about sustainability today for a better tomorrow. We will explore, implement, and develop ways to reduce our carbon footprints in hopes of creating a better world for future generations.
Group 2
Learning with Nature
Heidi Masters, Ph.D. – Educational Studies
Plants, animals, humans, oh my! Come and engage in the outdoors to explore relationships between plants, animals, humans, and the environment.
Making Bones Speak
Connie Arzigian, Ph.D. – Archaeology and Anthropology
Ever wondered how scientists identify someone just from their bones? In this workshop, we’ll look at some (replica) human bones that were found in the woods. You’ll figure out the sex, age, height, and ancestry of the person, to help identify the remains for the police, and see how forensic scientists work.
Understanding Human Rehabilitation
Hanni Cowley, M.P.T., ABPTS, D.P.T. – Physical Therapy
Interested in the human body and healing? This session will explore a case of a middle school student that has knee pain. Explore the anatomy of the knee, basic injury assessment, treatment following knee injury (crutches, taping, and bandaging), and rehabilitation ideas to gain motion and strength.
Become a Scientific Communicator
Bug Hartsock & Drew Lysaker, Graduate Students – Biology
Scientists often struggle to inform the general public about their research but there are lots of ways to do it—art, videos, articles, and more can help teach people about science. In this creative workshop, you'll learn all about some incredible animals, and then make a zine that others can read to learn, too! Zines are self-published miniature magazines that creators of all kinds can use to communicate new ideas. Make your very own with us!
Group 3
Recording Human Movement
Hanni Cowley, M.P.T., ABPTS, D.P.T. – Physical Therapy
The human body is AMAZING! The brain sends electrical signals to contract muscles, and muscles pull on bones to create movements like jumping, running, and balance. Learn how technology can be used to view and measure muscle activity and capture human motion, as well as how this information can be used to improve health, prevent injuries, and even create realistic character movements in movies and video games!
Investigating the Why? Behind Eating and Breathing
Marisa Barbknecht, M.S. – Microbiology
We must eat and breathe to stay alive–but WHY? We'll investigate what our bodies do with food and oxygen by using life-sized models of a human body and performing an experiment to learn what another living organism, the bread yeast, does when given plenty of these two basic necessities. We'll even learn WHY a yeast 'exhales' carbon dioxide just like we do!
The Case of the Kidnapped Eagle
Basudeb Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., B.S. – Chemistry/BioChemistry
Stryker the Eagle, UWL’s beloved mascot, has been kidnapped! We need your help! Several suspects have been identified. Put your detective skills to use by obtaining clues and performing hands-on chemistry to decipher the mystery behind this kidnapping, rescue Stryker, and put the culprit behind bars.
Occupational Therapy: Hold onto What's Important!
Polly Berra, M.S. – Occupational Therapy
Do you like helping people? Come and explore the health profession of Occupational Therapy! In this workshop, you will learn to test and treat hand weakness then explore your environment using tools that help people with disabilities do the things that are important to them.
Group 4
Investigating the Why? Behind Eating and Breathing
Marisa Barbknecht, M.S. – Microbiology
We must eat and breathe to stay alive–but WHY? We'll investigate what our bodies do with food and oxygen by using life-sized models of a human body and performing an experiment to learn what another living organism, the bread yeast, does when given plenty of these two basic necessities. We'll even learn WHY a yeast 'exhales' carbon dioxide just like we do!
Become a Scientific Communicator
Bug Hartsock & Drew Lysaker, Graduate Students – Biology
Scientists often struggle to inform the general public about their research but there are lots of ways to do it—art, videos, articles, and more can help teach people about science. In this creative workshop, you'll learn all about some incredible animals, and then make a zine that others can read to learn, too! Zines are self-published miniature magazines that creators of all kinds can use to communicate new ideas. Make your very own with us!
Going Green
Charlotte Roberts, Ed.M. – Educational Studies
Come learn about sustainability today for a better tomorrow. We will explore, implement, and develop ways to reduce our carbon footprints in hopes of creating a better world for future generations.
Understanding Human Rehabilitation
Hanni Cowley, M.P.T., ABPTS, D.P.T. – Physical Therapy
Interested in the human body and healing? This session will explore a case of a middle school student that has knee pain. Explore the anatomy of the knee, basic injury assessment, treatment following knee injury (crutches, taping, and bandaging), and rehabilitation ideas to gain motion and strength.
Group 5
Creepy and Crawly Adaptations
Drew Lysaker & Bug Hartsock, UWL Graduate Students – Biology
What makes insects so successful? What sorts of adaptations do they have that have allowed them to be spread across the globe? We will explore insect adaptations and get to see insects from across the world! We’ll also get to meet some of the insects in our lab as well as go out and catch (and release) insects on campus!”
Recording Human Movement
Hanni Cowley, M.P.T., ABPTS, D.P.T. – Physical Therapy
The human body is AMAZING! The brain sends electrical signals to contract muscles, and muscles pull on bones to create movements like jumping, running, and balance. Learn how technology can be used to view and measure muscle activity and capture human motion, as well as how this information can be used to improve health, prevent injuries, and even create realistic character movements in movies and video games!
Occupational Therapy: Hold onto What's Important!
Polly Berra, M.S. – Occupational Therapy
Do you like helping people? Come and explore the health profession of Occupational Therapy! In this workshop, you will learn to test and treat hand weakness then explore your environment using tools that help people with disabilities do the things that are important to them.
The Case of the Kidnapped Eagle
Basudeb Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., B.S. – Chemistry/BioChemistry
Stryker the Eagle, UWL’s beloved mascot, has been kidnapped! We need your help! Several suspects have been identified. Put your detective skills to use by obtaining clues and performing hands-on chemistry to decipher the mystery behind this kidnapping, rescue Stryker, and put the culprit behind bars.
Program support and need-based scholarships provided by:
Ingersoll Rand
Xcel Energy
Trane