Hi! I'm the student lab manager of UW-Madison's “Sharing in the Discovery” Stem Cell Learning Lab is made possible on campus by the Ira and Ineva Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment. Our campus lab is an outreach partnership among the UW-Madison Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Center, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, UW-Madison Biotechnology Center, and WiCell Research Institute.

 Through this hands-on experience, learners use the same equipment and methods stem cell researchers use to prepare and grow their cells. We use an organic stem cell substitute in our public lab due to biosafety restrictions; but our collaborating scientists tell us our experience is a great simulation of the real thing! In addition, after thawing, rinsing, centrifuging and feeding their cells, participants will have the chance to view real stem cells from stem cell pioneer Dr. James Thomson's lab under the microscope.

 There is plenty of time for questions and related activities as the group's schedule allows. Workshops are available Mondays-Fridays by appointment. This lab can be done alone or done in conjunction with other outreach opportunities available. We have previously had groups as young as 10 and as old as 80. We are hoping to reach out to MMSD, especially, due to our lab's location in the Biotechnology Center at UW-Madison. As you know, WiCell runs a highly successful stem cell outreach program, including summer science camp. This is yet another, newer program on campus to hep bring the lab experience to even more students. We have had positive feedback from high school and middle school teachers and are happy to share this feedback.

Through our growing programs, we hope to increase student and teacher knowledge of stem cells and regenerative medicine, both the science and socio-political issues related to the field. Our UW-Madison and WiCell stem cell outreach labs are among the very few in the country and continue to place Madison at the forefront of stem cell research education and science education overall. We hope schools will be able to take advantage of our many great opportunities and provide more of these unique experience to our area’s students. This is the second year our learning lab has been running but we have already had alot of success and am hoping to reach out to even more schools in the area! 

If you would like more information about the learning lab please visit http://www.biotech.wisc.edu/outreach/sharing.html. 

mrosenkranz@wisc.edu

Phenology
August 9-13, 2010
With Larry Weber

Use this week in August to take a closer look at the natural happenings that are going on in the Northwoods. Observe the local fauna, flora and fungi that are active and growing at this time. Note daily changes and discuss how phenology can be integrated as part of your curriculum.

Fee: $200 (Includes deposit, instruction, food and lodging)  Credits: 2 Graduate Credits optional at an additional $200.

Trees For Tomorrow offers teachers a variety of nature-oriented courses to provide an invigorating way to earn university credit or continuing professional development.

March 12. What’s in the Water? Project WET Educator Workshop. Gathering Waters Room, Nevin Fish Hatchery, Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 8:30a.m.-3:30p.m. Just how does the surface and groundwater of Dane County become contaminated, and how can you illustrate the processes of contamination to students of all ages? This workshop hosted by the DNR and the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey will use Project WET and other teaching tools to explain how Dane County’s surface and groundwater can become contaminated and how we can protect these essential resources. Educators will learn how to use Project WET’s classroom ready activities to get students engaged in learning about our water resources. Project WET is an interdisciplinary K-12 conservation and environmental education program with over 90 activities focused on water. This workshop will offer exciting new teaching ideas for use in science, math, social studies, language arts, and environmental education classes. Each participant will receive the Project WET K-12 Activity Guide and a packet of groundwater-related resource materials specific to Wisconsin. Cost: $20.00. Lunch will not be provided. Please bring a sack lunch. Contact: Amalia Baldwin: amalia.baldwin@wisconsin.gov or (608) 264-8930 by February 26 to register.

Bioenergy Institute for Educators is an 8 day program for teams of educators focused on the process of creating biofuels and evaluating sustainability of different methods.  Run by the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center the Wisconsin Fast Plants program at UW-Madison, it will emphasize inquiry instruction at the secondary level.  Rolling applications and admission until May 3.