STEM Exploration Day for Boys
Workshop Titles and Descriptions
Event Date: November 21, 2014
A Coyote’s Life for Me! (A10, B10, and C10)
Presented by Geriann Albers, Assistant Furbearer Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Learn about the natural history of coyotes in Wisconsin, including their diet and habits. We will compare the coyote to
its closest relatives in Wisconsin, wolves and foxes and then play a game that simulates what it’s like to be a coyote
trying to forage for food.
Airplane Design Challenge (A02, B02, and C02)
Presented by Terese Barta, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, UW-Stevens Point and John Thompson,
AirVantage Aviation, with assistance from Civil Air Patrol members
You and your team will design and build a rubber-band powered airplane from "junk parts" and compete against other
teams to fly it to a target.
Alien Invasion (A06, B06, and C06)
KaYeng Vue, Water Guard, Wisconsin DNR
If aliens landed on our planet and started taking over the land, would you be afraid? What if they ate all your food or
made you sick? Would you fight back? Did you know there are aliens in Wisconsin? Join us for hands-on lessons as we
learn to battle the monstrous sea lamprey and other invasive species that are trying to kill off, or drive out, the plants
and animals we know and love.
Building a Better Potato (B12 and C12)
Presented by Shelley Jansky, USDA and UW-Madison; Paul Bethke, USDA and UW-Madison; and Dennis Halterman, USDA
Ever wonder what goes into making perfect French fries, chips, and tater tots? There’s actually a lot more involved than
you think. Hands-on experiences will allow you to participate in laboratory techniques that we’re using to make
potatoes easier to grow, more nutritious, and extra tasty!
Careers in Natural Resources (A12)
Presented by Bobbi Kubish, Recruitment Coordinator, College of Natural Resources, UW-Stevens Point
Are you concerned about issues like sustainability, climate change, water or food shortages, endangered species and
habitat destruction? Want to make a positive difference? This session will focus on environmental and natural resource
careers so you can find out what to do now to prepare for an environmental career.
Careers in Sports Medicine (A11, B11, and C11)
Presented by Dr. Cody Nikolai and Amanda Helt and Shelly Utecht, Certified Athletic Trainers, Klasinski Clinic
Learn about all of the career options in the field of sports medicine from Athletic Trainer through Sports medicine
physician/surgeon. Attendees with have the opportunity to try some of the equipment we use on the sideline and in the
operating room.
For Chocolate Lovers…A Sensory Experience! (A14 and B15)
Presented by Deborah Tang, Associate Lecturer, School of Health Promotion & Human Development
Chocolate…yummy and good for you? Investigate the sensory experience of a flight of chocolate. Learn sensory
evaluation techniques used by nutrition and culinary professionals. Discover your personal tongue map and how you
perceive different tastes. Become familiar with some of the vocabulary used to describe flavors.
Head for Safety: Impact Test Your Helmet (A13 and B13)
Presented by Sue Hall, Polymer Ambassador, American Chemical Society and Gail Pucci, Science Teacher (retired)
How can athletes withstand blows to the head and still be “in the game”? Test the polymer plastic materials used in
making external head gear for football, baseball and cycling and test foams used on the inside to prevent head injuries.
Learn how the National Operating Committee for Athletic Equipment choses the best materials and discover which ones
prevent the highest impact.
*Keeping Secrets Secret (A01, B0 1 and C01) See note at page end.
Presented by Manda Riehl, Associate Professor and Collaborative Research Coordinator, UW-Eau Claire
Have you ever wanted to keep a message private? We’ll talk about some ways you can keep your communications
private as well as how emails and text messages are protected from “digital snoops”. Lots of hands-on activities!
Let's Make a Comet (B16)
Presented by Adriana Durbala, Assistant Professor and Sebastian Zamfir, Lecturer, Department of Physics and
Astronomy, UW-Stevens Point
We will outline a simple recipe for building a comet in the laboratory using very familiar ingredients. We will try to
understand how and when comets form conspicuous tails.
*Making and Breaking Secret Codes (B14 and C14) See note at page end.
Presented by Andy Felt, Professor, Department of Mathematics, UW-Stevens Point
Learn the science of encryption-making secret codes and breaking them. You will get a chance to make your own code.
Medical Investigators (A05, B05 and C05)
Presented by the School of Health Care Professionals, College of Professional Studies, UW-Stevens Point
Become a highly sought after medical detective. Work your way through a medical case with lots of hands-on activities.
Ultimately, students will be able to solve the medical mystery using clues given and lab results obtained from hands-on
exercises.
Renewable Energy and the Curse of the Second Law (B13)
Presented by Kenneth Menningen, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, UW-Stevens Point
Learn why most engines are flawed, even those powered by renewable energy, and what can be done about it. You will
even build your own electric motor!
Roller Coaster Design (A03, B03 and C03)
Presented by Jill Steffek, Senior Principal Engineer and Nathan Paul, Campus Relations Manager, Oshkosh Corporation
Ever wonder how your favorite roller coasters work? Local engineers will talk with you about the various engineering
degrees. Then you will design and build your own model roller coaster and learn the physics principles behind how
roller coasters work.
STEM Shuttle: Giving Students Space to Learn! (A04, B04 and C04)
Presented by the Shuttle Crew
Students will work in pairs experiencing a wide variety of hands-on activities as they move from station to station on
board the popular STEM Shuttle. Guided by shuttle teachers, students will design a space station, use a robotic arm, and
get a feel of how difficult it is working in space.
Using Chemistry and Color Changes to Diagnose Disease (A08, B08, and C08)
Presented by Shannon Riha, Adjunct Professor; Joe Mondloch, Assistant Professor; and Eric Todd, Assistant Professor,
Department of Chemistry, UW-Stevens Point
Chemistry is known as the central science because of the importance it plays in a variety of fields, such as biology,
physics, geology, and medicine. Come and learn what it is like to be a chemist and perform an experiment to learn how
gold colloids can be used as sensors for medical diagnostics.
What is a Herpetologist? (A09, B09, and C09)
Presented by Lauren Carlson and Hannah Schauer, Education Coordinators - Stevens Point Herpetology Society
Students learn what herpetology is and what people employed as herpetologists do. Students get to hear and learn how
to identify the differing calls of Wisconsin native frogs and toads. A variety of live reptiles and amphibians are used
throughout the presentation to show why it is important to study and work with these fascinating creatures.
*The first half of these workshops is similar. We recommend students do not choose both of these workshops in their
selection.