(Waukesha, WI) – Waukesha County invites residents of all ages to unleash their curiosity and participate in the 10th Annual Wisconsin Science Festival. The four-day festival will offer a variety of programs and activities virtually from across the state Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 18.

“We are excited to share how Waukesha County integrates STEM into our workplace, environmental education programs and throughout the community,” said Dale Shaver, Director of Waukesha County Parks and Land Use. “It’s interesting to learn how science and technology are woven into our daily lives.”

Waukesha County Parks and Land Use staff and Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium staff will present programs on natural resources, recycling, outer space, soils, citizen science, sustainability, pollution and more. Topics for all ages and interests will be available to view online at www.waukeshacounty.gov/sciencefest. Full event schedule below and online. Registration is required for some Waukesha County programs by Wednesday, October 14.

Residents are also encouraged to get outdoors and participate in the Wisconsin Science Festival BioBlitz Project. People can join in this Citizen Science project during the event by entering at least 10 species from their local environment into the free iNaturalist app. Learn more about the BioBlitz at www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/bioblitz.

Additional programs and activities are taking place throughout the state. Event listings can be found online at www.wisconsinsciencefest.org.

About the Department of Parks & Land Use

The Waukesha County Department of Parks & Land Use, working through a combination of collaboration, education and regulation is dedicated to fostering economic development, sound land use, and the protection, enhancement and enjoyment of the County’s natural resources and health of its citizens.

For more information call 262-548-8300 or visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/plu.

 

WISCONSIN SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Waukesha County Parks and Land Use Line-up

Programs for Adults

Date/Time Program Description
Thursday October 15

8:00-8:30 am

Live Q&A

8:15-8:30 am

Busting Backyard Invasives Are you battling buckthorn and tired of grabbing garlic mustard? Looking for the latest and greatest control techniques? Learn tips from the pros on how to manage and control these pesky invaders!  Register
Thursday, October 15

10:00-10:15 am

Live Q&A

10:15-10:30 am

The Power of Pollination Come explore with the naturalists at Retzer Nature Center and learn how the amazing process of pollination helps the plants and animals that live here. Learn tips on how you how can help pollinators in your own backyard with pollinator friendly plants. Register
Thursday, October 15

6:00 pm

Consumption by the Numbers We use a lot of finite resources. Discover the numbers behind consumption on a global and nationwide scale and how you can reduce this number. Find out what happens to many of these materials and how recycling helps us manage much of what we consume. Recommended for ages 10+. Register
Friday, October 16

1:00 pm

Live Q&A

1:30-1:45pm

The Birthplace of Modern Astrophysics

 

The fascinating history of Yerkes Observatory and how it made its mark in the scientific world. How Yerkes changed the way observatories functioned to the brilliant scientists that walked its halls. Learn about the instruments and achievements of this beautiful Wisconsin landmark. Register
Saturday, October 17

1:00 pm

Understanding Soils: What Homeowners Need to Know for their Yards Waukesha County has over 100 different unique soil types that affect everything from growing to building.  Learn about the properties of soil and how these affect your lawns, gardens, trees and all things growing in your landscape.  Start improving your landscape by improving your soil! Register
All 4 Days!

Pre-recorded, watch anytime

 

Understanding Soils:  What Homeowners Need to Know for their Basements Waukesha County has over 100 different unique soil types that affect everything from growing to building.  Learn how the soils on your property affect your basement and foundation.  If you are planning on purchasing land to build on, you need to know what to look for in soils.  If you have already built and are having issues with basement wetness, learn why and actions you can take to help.
All 4 Days!

Pre-recorded, watch anytime

 

Hugging the Hubble: Personal Reflections on the Hubble Space Telescope On the 30th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope, Prof. Bob Benjamin of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater shares some of his personal reflections on the triumphs and the trials of the Hubble Space Telescope. The title comes from a June 1999 speech by the then-director of NASA, Dan Goldin, to the American Astronomical Society who told the collected astronomers there that they needed to “quit hugging the Hubble Space Telescope”.  Twenty years later, we’re still holding tight, but there are new telescopes on the horizon that we expect will finally supplant the Hubble Space Telescope.
All 4 Days!

Pre-recorded, watch anytime

 

Citizen Science: Exploring the Universe Stuck in your house during the pandemic? Want to do something useful for humanity?  Consider getting involved in Citizen Science! From your home, you can help scientists in any number of tasks, from counting penguins to searching for planets.   Prof. Bob Benjamin (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) will provide some information on the beginnings of Citizen Science, how he’s been helped by citizens in his own past research, and describe some of the current projects available at Zooniverse and how you can get involved.

 

Programs for Kids

Date/Time Program Description
Thursday, October 15

4:00 pm

Daisy Program: Make the World a Better Place – Rose Petal Learn about making the world a better place with the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Read Rosie’s story and conduct a mock trash sort activity to complete the requirements to earn your rose petal.
Saturday, October 17

11:00 am

Healthy Soils through Composting Discover the exciting world of soils and a few of the many creatures that live there.  Learn how you can help soils by composting at home, then go on your own exploration for compost critters.

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