Posted 2:37 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Middle school students learned about setting and working toward goals and participated in various scientific workshops.
NASA astronaut Mark Lee spoke to more than 90 middle school students as part of the annual, two-day Girls in Science and Boys’ Science Exploration Camp events Saturday, June 25, at UW-La Crosse.
Lee talked to students about setting and working toward goals. He stressed his Viroqua roots and what he did as a child growing up in a small town in order to reach the goals he set as a third grader. He also gave a history of NASA accomplishments and even explained to the middle school students how bathrooms work in zero gravity. Space education continued in the programs with Brian Ewenson, an aerospace educator for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, who presented a workshop “Living and Working in Space: No Shoes, No Showers…No Problem.”
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Boys design roller coasters and learn about the scientific principles that govern their designs in a workshop taught by Seth King.[/caption]
In addition to these guest speakers, UWL faculty and staff taught hands-on workshops for participants. These faculty and staff were Connie Arzigian (Archaeology), Basudeb Bhattcharyya (Biochemistry), Tanya Cordes (Chemistry), Jennifer Docktor (Physics), Eric Eager (Mathematics), Faye Ellis (Biology), Samantha Foley (Computer Science), Seth King (Physics), Megan Litster (Biololgy), and Kendric Nelson (Chemistry). In addition, Donna Bossman (Engineer from Trane) also taught a workshop. UWL students served as teaching assistants for the workshops and UWL students and alumni served as resident assistants.
This summer marked the 18th year for the girls’ program and the sixth year for the boys’ program. The programs are open to students entering grades 6-8 in the fall. This year the programs had record enrollment.
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“Feelin’ Gassy?” Girls explore various types of gasses and their uses…including making ice cream in Tanya Corde’s workshop.[/caption]
In addition to tuition for the program, Lee’s visit was supported with a grant from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. Additional funds for the program were provided by a grant from the Gundersen Medical Foundation and the UWL College of Science and Health. The programs were organized and directed by Susan Kelly (Mathematics) and Karen McGarvey (Continuing Education and Extension). If you are interested in teaching in the program next year, have suggestions for speakers or would like to contribute to future programs or include the programs in a grant, please contact Susan Kelly.
Boys design roller coasters and learn about the scientific principles that govern their designs in a workshop taught by Seth King.[/caption]
In addition to these guest speakers, UWL faculty and staff taught hands-on workshops for participants. These faculty and staff were Connie Arzigian (Archaeology), Basudeb Bhattcharyya (Biochemistry), Tanya Cordes (Chemistry), Jennifer Docktor (Physics), Eric Eager (Mathematics), Faye Ellis (Biology), Samantha Foley (Computer Science), Seth King (Physics), Megan Litster (Biololgy), and Kendric Nelson (Chemistry). In addition, Donna Bossman (Engineer from Trane) also taught a workshop. UWL students served as teaching assistants for the workshops and UWL students and alumni served as resident assistants.
This summer marked the 18th year for the girls’ program and the sixth year for the boys’ program. The programs are open to students entering grades 6-8 in the fall. This year the programs had record enrollment.
[caption id="attachment_46337" align="aligncenter" width="685"] “Feelin’ Gassy?” Girls explore various types of gasses and their uses…including making ice cream in Tanya Corde’s workshop.[/caption]
In addition to tuition for the program, Lee’s visit was supported with a grant from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. Additional funds for the program were provided by a grant from the Gundersen Medical Foundation and the UWL College of Science and Health. The programs were organized and directed by Susan Kelly (Mathematics) and Karen McGarvey (Continuing Education and Extension). If you are interested in teaching in the program next year, have suggestions for speakers or would like to contribute to future programs or include the programs in a grant, please contact Susan Kelly.