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The Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers was founded in 1958. Today it is the largest Wisconsin organization of individuals
interested in the advancement of science education.
Field Trips
1---The Children’s Museum of La Crosse
Thursday 9:45-12:15
Limit: 30 Free
http://www.funmuseum.org/
The Children's Museum of La Crosse is our region's first and only hands-on learning environment for children ages 1 to 12 years and their adult companions. Open since February 28, 1999, the Children's Museum of La Crosse celebrates the value of play via three floors of hands-on exhibits plus related programming and more.
2---Xcel Energy -- Refuse Derived Fuel Plant
Thursday 9:30-11:30
Limit: 40 $5
http://xcelenergy.com/
Xcel Energy is the fourth-largest combination electricity and natural gas company in the United States and provides services to eight midwestern and western states offering energy related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers. The RDF plant on French Island is one of three operated by this company. Xcel Energy has a contract with La Crosse county to collect all of its garbage so that it can be burned as an energy source for its customers. This unique fuel source not only lessens our reliance on fossil fuels, but also helps to extend the life of the landfill. The tour will begin with an 8-10 minute video overview of the RDF process. After a question and answer session, participants will tour the processing facility and the power plant where the garbage is burned for fuel.
3---City Brewery
Thursday 12:45-2:45
Limit: None $5
http://www.citybrewery.com/
The art of brewing has been in existence since...Well, just about forever! It is an interesting lesson in chemistry. What gives each beer its own unique flavor? Why are there different colors? A 15 minute video will introduce the brewing process. After the video, you’ll have a chance to see the making of one of Wisconsin’s more popular beverages. Starting in the mash room, where four 2-story kettles hold the initial liquid, then moving onto the lauter tubs where solids and liquids are separated, and finally, to the four 3-story high brew kettles where the hops are added -- you will see it all! After the tour, you will return to the hospitality center where you can “whet your whistle” with some of City Brewing Company’s most popular brews.
4---Gundersen Lutheran Hospital Microbiology Lab
Thursday 12:50-2:00
Limit: 15 $5
www.gundluth.org/
5---U.S. Army Corps of Engineers--Lock and Dam 7
Thursday 1:00-3:00
Limit: None $5
6---Gundersen Lutheran Hospital Pathology Lab
Thursday 1:50-3:00
Limit: 15 $5
www.gundluth.org/
In addition to primary care, Gundersen Lutheran Hospital has specialty healthcare services including a state-of-the-art Pathology Lab. This tour will take you on a simulation of the steps to diagnose a disease. You will see first hand from looking at biopsies to discussing treatment options.
7---Mathew’s Incorporated AND McPherson Guitars
Thursday 2:00-4:45
Limit: 40 $10
http://mathewsinc.com/ http://mcphersonguitars.com/
This is a tour of both Mathew’s Incorporated and McPherson Guitars in Sparta, WI.
Think about the wheel and how you would reinvent it. In essence that is what Matt McPherson did to the compound bow, turning a relatively small but highly competitive industry upside down. In fishing, it was the graphite rod; in golf, the over-sized driver. In archery, it was McPherson’s invention of the single cam bow that changed the direction of the industry and set off a wave of innovation. You’ll get to see how these high tech bows are made as you walk through the actual production room at Mathew’s. Then you will get to visit their showroom next door to see how McPherson Guitars are made. McPherson Guitars combine exquisite craftsmanship and cutting edge design. Their revolutionary Offset Soundhole Technology™, state-of-the-art bracing and “no touch” cantilevered neck design collectively allow the instrument to vibrate and resound to its fullest potential.
8---U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service La Crosse Fish Health Center Lab
Thursday 2:15-4:00
Limit: 40 $5
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/lacrossefishhealthcenter/
The Fish Health Center provides specialized fish health evaluation and diagnostic services to federal, state, tribal and private hatcheries in the region; conducts extensive monitoring and evaluation of wild fish health throughout the region; examines and certifies the health of captive hatchery stocks; and, performs a wide range of special services helping to coordinate fishery program offices and partner organizations.
9---National Weather Service - La Crosse Station
Thursday 2:30-4:00
Limit: None $5
We all listen to weather reports on the television and radio daily and sometimes hourly, but do we really know how all that information is collected and disseminated? The National Weather Service office is located near Granddad’s Bluff, overlooking the city of La Crosse. This facility serves 20 counties in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Participants will learn how a weather station works and what services it provides. Find out about the opportunities for your students to volunteer as precipitation spotters, river observers, and storm spotters for the National Weather Service.
10---West Salem Outdoor Education Center
Friday 8:30-12:15
Limit: 20 $10
Are you looking for ways to use your school forest or outdoor teaching area? The West Salem School District has been taking students to their Outdoor Education Center for more than 35 years. Learn how they acquired the land, who you can turn to for help in developing programming for you site, how your students can work with resource professionals on real life research projects, and how West Salem uses their site with all students in kindergarten through tenth grade. You’ll participate in a sampling of activities, leave with lots of ideas, and know where to go to get the help you’ll need to implement those ideas.
11---Mississippi Valley Archaeology Dig
Friday 8:30-12:30
Limit: 25 (minimum 10) $30
http://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/
Visit an ongoing archaeological dig. Perrot State Park has a rich cultural past, with artifacts dating back 6000 years found at several areas of the park. Burial mounds, campsites, and historic trading posts have been excavated at the park, and the remains of a CCC camp are still visible today. Exhibits of past excavations can be found in the Nature Center, and the tour will continue with the mounds and “Perrot’s Post”.
12---Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bike Museum
Friday 9:30-12:00
Limit: 40 $10
www.dekeslayton.com
Delve into a tour of our facility for a presentation that will enhance your understanding and encourage an interest and appreciation in the career of Donald Kent "Deke" Slayton, the History of Bicycling, Wisconsin Astronauts, and aviation in Monroe County.
13---Cal/West Seeds
Friday 9:30-12:15
Limit: 25 $10
http://www.calwestseeds.com/
Cal/West Seeds research program is focused on developing Value Through Innovation. Aggressive cutting-edge breeding programs are focused on developing varieties that have the genetic potential to maximize farm profitability. Cal/West was the first private alfalfa breeding program to develop its own in-house biotech lab devoted to forages. Our current investment in biotechnology is focused on developing innovative varieties with enhancements in yield, quality, pest resistance, and stress tolerance.
14---Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Friday 10:00-12:45
Limit: 30 $5
http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was the first national refuge established for both wildlife and fish in the United States. Today there are over 20 refuge offices in Wisconsin, so there is sure to be one near your school. Enjoy a tour of the Center, view resource materials available to teachers statewide, and learn how the U.S. Geological Survey can help in your classroom curricula.
15---City Brewery
Friday 11:45-1:45
Limit: None $5
http://www.citybrewery.com/
The art of brewing has been in existence since...Well, just about forever! It is an interesting lesson in chemistry. What gives each beer its own unique flavor? Why are there different colors? A 15 minute video will introduce the brewing process. After the video, you’ll have a chance to see the making of one of Wisconsin’s more popular beverages. Starting in the mash room, where four 2-story kettles hold the initial liquid, then moving onto the lauter tubs where solids and liquids are separated, and finally, to the four 3-story high brew kettles where the hops are added -- you will see it all! After the tour, you will return to the hospitality center where you can “whet your whistle” with some of City Brewing Company’s most popular brews.
16---La Crosse Queen
Friday 12:45-3:00
Limit: 80 (minimum 30) $35
http://www.greatriver.com/laxqueen/
Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the La Crosse Queen. Travel up the Mississippi River on this split stern wheel paddleboat. Enjoy the beautiful bluffs and outdoor scenery as you listen to tales of the river and learn about the history of the river and the La Crosse area. You may have a chance to see a barge lock through*Note: This fieldtrip will be cancelled if the river is in flood stage, if there is inclement weather, or if fewer than 30 participants sign up.
17---Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center
Friday 12:50- 2:00
Limit: 25 (minimum 10) $10
Visit the Archaeology Center and Laboratories located on the UW-La Crosse campus. Exhibits focus on regional archaeology and include 3-D replicas of area rock art, a painted mural depicting the lifestyles of the four earliest cultures of Wisconsin, pottery points, and exhibits of recent excavations. The tour will also discuss the processing of artifacts.
18---Gundersen Lutheran Hospital Microbiology Lab
Friday 12:50-2:00
Limit: 15 $5
www.gundluth.org/
19---Gundersen Lutheran Hospital Pathology Lab
Friday 1:50-3:00
Limit: 15 $5
www.gundluth.org/
In addition to primary care, Gundersen Lutheran Hospital has specialty healthcare services including a state-of-the-art Pathology Lab. This tour will take you on a simulation of the steps to diagnose a disease. You will see first hand from looking at biopsies to discussing treatment options.
20---UW-La Crosse Planetarium
Friday 2:00-4:00
Limit: 30 $10
http://www.uwlax.edu/planetarium/
21---La Crosse Wastewater Treatment Plant
Friday 2:00-3:15
Limit: None No cost
La Crosse’s main wastewater treatment facility has a design capacity of 20 million gallons per day. The Sanitary Sewer Utility operates and maintains 32 lift stations, 182 miles of sanitary sewers, 116 miles of storm sewers, and two wastewater treatment plants that comprise the wastewater collection, conveyance, and treatment system of the City of La Crosse.
The City of La Crosse accepts and treats sanitary wastes from the Cities of La Crosse and Onalaska, from the Town of Campbell (French Island and Hiawatha Island) and from much of the Town of Shelby. The main wastewater treatment facility has a design capacity of 20 million gallons per day (MGD).