Grandparents University® 2008 Program Majors

Below is information about the 2008 majors, so please stay tuned for updated information on the majors for 2009.

Learning experiences, age recommendations and physical activity levels vary by major. Choose a major that best fits your interests and capabilities. You will remain in the same major for the entire two day program. Adults must accompany children to majors.

art - session i

Dean: Doug Whittle, Artist and Director of Educational Travel, Division of Continuing Studies

Description: Let the world be your canvas as you experience the fundamentals of landscape painting. Create your own inspiration by using artists' guidelines to take photographs of landscapes. Then, choose the one that will be the subject of your own painting. Through examples of the instructor's own work and explanation, explore light and color, and experiment with your own combinations. Finally, get started on your painting. While you might not finish your creation during the program, you'll leave with the know-how to complete your masterpiece.

Note: This major is limited to 20 participants.

Anticipated Activities:

Take photographs to use as inspiration for your painting
Learn about proportion and dimension in sketching
Explore the effects of light and color and learn to mix your own combinations
Begin to paint a landscape

Age Recommendation: All ages are appropriate.

Physical Activity Level: Low to Medium
Some walking outside may be required.

Instructor:

Doug Whittle

biotechnology - sessions i and ii

Dean: Tom Zinnen Ph.D.'85, Biotechnology Policy and Outreach Specialist, Biotechnology Center and Family Living Education Statewide Programs, UW-Extension

Description: Join fellow researchers and enter the nano-world! As biotechnology majors, you'll participate in a variety of hands-on experiments in a real research lab. You'll extract DNA glop from wheat germ, build a human DNA model and test cheese-making enzymes. Plus, discover how scientists use DNA in forensic applications through an "alien blood" simulation. It's a world of wonder just waiting for you to explore.

Anticipated Activities:

Tour the Biotechnology Center and Genome Center of Wisconsin
Extract DNA from wheat germ
Learn which makes better bubbles - skim milk or whole
Test a sample of fuzzy DNA
Build a human DNA model

Age Recommendation: All ages are appropriate.

Physical Activity Level: Low to Medium
The ability to walk the stairs is required.

Instructors:

Tom Zinnen
Laurel Norris

botany - session i

Dean: Paul Williams, Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Description: Discover the secret life of plants! You'll learn about the fascinating ways that plants and insects interact with each other, use "bottle biology" to create your own research tools, and make a miniature botanic garden to take home. Then you'll study "astroplants" grown on the International Space Station to uncover the mysteries of how plants grow in space and on Earth.

Note: Please bring your digital camera to class, if you have one.

Anticipated Activities:

Tour the Allen Centennial Garden
Make your own bottle dome garden and tool kit
Create tropism chambers and learn how plants know which way to grow
Take beautiful artistic and scientific close-up photos with your digital camera

Age Recommendation: All ages are appropriate.

Physical Activity Level: Medium to High
Participants will walk in outdoor campus gardens.

Instructor:

Paul Williams

climate history - sessions i and ii

Dean: Samantha W. Kaplan Ph.D., Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Center for Climate Research

Description: What was Wisconsin's climate like in the past? Find out as you explore in and around Madison's lakes, and the remains of plants and animals that have accumulated in lake sediments. You'll learn scientific techniques to reconstruct lake environments due to climate conditions and cultural activities. You'll also get the tools necessary to predict potential changes in lakes.

Note: Activities will occur rain or shine so dress appropriately. Participants should note the possibility of getting dirty while working with mud. Slickers will be provided.

Anticipated Activities:

Assist in taking short sediment cores from Lake Mendota
Measure and describe the sediment cores
Make slides to observe under the microscope and identify organisms
Discuss what changes in the cores over time might mean for climate conditions

Age Recommendation:
Session I - 9 to 12 years
Session II - 7 to 10 years

Physical Activity Level: Medium
Some walking should be expected, including the possibility of stairs.

Instructors:

Samantha Kaplan
Patricia Sanford

dairy science - session ii

Dean: Michael Peters, '85, Research Program Manager II, Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Description: Life on a dairy farm is entertaining, and anything but ordinary. Do you know how much science is involved in producing one gallon of milk? Become a dairy science major and find out! From taking part in a scientific cow beauty pageant to studying microbes, this major will introduce you to "farming" like you've never seen it before and in ways you never thought about.

Note: This program will bring participants into close contact with cows and is not recommended for those with compromised immune systems or animal allergies. Please wear clothes and shoes meant for work and bring extra clothing. While coveralls will be provided, it's likely you'll want to change clothes after the session.

Anticipated Activities:

Evaluate cows for correct structure to learn what really goes into judging them at state and county fairs
Learn about rumen symbiosis, and why cows chew their cud
Perform basic cattle husbandry to see how much work goes into caring for a 1,500 pound critter

Age Recommendation: 9 years and older

Physical Activitiy Level: Very High
Expect hands-on activities working with large dairy cattle. Attendees will be on their feet for the entire time. Some manual tasks should be anticipated.

Instructors:

Michael Peters
Ted Halbach
Ric Grummer

engineering - sessions i and iii

Dean: Philip O'Leary, Department Chair, Engineering Professional Development

Description: Whether building an automobile, hospital instrument, MP3 player, productions line, skyscraper or pharmaceutical plant, the same engineering design approaches are used. In this major, you'll join a team to figure out how to solve problems, with guidance and support from engineering faculty and students. You don't need to be a technical whiz to participate, just a willingness to be creative and test new ideas.

Anticipated Activities:

Use a computer to design a bridge - then test the design
Build a simple machine to learn how it works on the inside
Work in a test lab (where we may break some things!)

Age Recommendation: 11 to 14 years

Physical Activity Level: Low
There will be short walks between buildings.

Instructors:

Philip O'Leary
Leah Foertsch
UW-Madison Engineering Students

entomology - sessions ii and iii

Dean: Walt Goodman, Professor and Chair, Department of Entomology

Description: Enter a world as seen only through the eyes of insects. Discover how they are classified and "put together". Plus, look at aspects of their amazing diversity: the vastly different shapes, sizes and forms of insects, their behavior and natural history. In this major, you'll examine preserved and living insects, and see how they feed, grow, develop and recognize the world. You'll also have opportunities to ask research questions, conduct experiments and learn more about what entomologists do in their careers.

Anticipated Activities:

Examine diverse anthropods and insects using microscopes
Handle and observe a variety of live insects
Take a naturalist walk to study insects in their habitats and collect specimens for a closer look back at the laboratory

Age Recommendation: All ages are appropriate.

Physical Activity Level: Medium to High
Participants might take a walk along Lakeshore Path to observe insect diversity and natural history.

Instructors:

Walt Goodman
Dan Young

food science - sessions ii and iii

Dean: Barbara Ingham, Associate Professor of Food Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Description: If you don't think of Babcock ice cream as a feat of modern science, you will after experiencing this major! As a food scientist, you'll learn to make mozzarella cheese (then put it on a pizza and eat it). You'll also discover how micro-organisms affect your food, invent a brand-new flavor of ice cream and find out how certain parts of food can be extra healthy.

Note: Those with food allergies should exercise caution. We will work in a laboratory, so please do not wear sandals.

Anticipated Activities:

Learn how ice cream is made and invent a new flavor
Determine how different fat contents in milk affect mozzarella cheese, and then taste the results
Test for antioxidants in various foods, then enjoy your favorite smoothie recipe
Discover how microbes affect our food

Age Recommendation: All ages are appropriate.

Physical Activity Level: Low to Medium
Participants will walk between classrooms.

Instructors:

Barbara Ingham

Beth Button

Dr. Beth Briczinski

Dr. Scott Rankin

Lee Jensen

limnology - sessions i and ii

Dean: John Magnuson, Professor Emeritus of Zoology and Director Emeritus of the Center for Limnology, College of Letters and Science

Description: Lake Mendota is the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon and explore a freshwater ecosystem. As a limnologist, you'll test the water for oxygen and temperature and take samples of the lake's murky bottom aboard the Limnos, a 28-foot research boat. You'll also use plankton nets to collect samples from the lake for later analysis in the UW's Limnology Laboratory.

Note: Dress for the weather, rain or shine! Bring water, hats and sunscreen, because these activities will be mainly outdoors.

Anticipated Activities:

Take a ride aboard the Limnos to collect samples from Lake Mendota
Learn about Great Lakes food web dynamics
Examine aquatic nuisance species
Find out about remote sampling technology
Visit the UW Aquatic Laboratory facilities

Age Recommendation: 9 years and older

Physical Activity Level: Medium to High
Participants will walk a wooden plank pier to take water samples and to board the research vessel, LIMNOS. There is no seating on the boat. Participants must be comfortable standing or leaning on the gunnels (side rails) for approximately 90 minutes.

Instructors:

John Magnuson
Phillip Moy
Jim Lubner
Dave Harring

meteorology - sessions ii and iii

Dean: Margaret Mooney, Outreach Specialist, Space Science and Engineering, College of Letters and Science

Description: Learn about forces that create our local weather patterns, while marveling at UW contributions to the field of satellite meteorology. In this major, you'll view real-time imagery of Earth and its atmosphere on a 3-D globe, and participate in interactive computer activities that investigate weather phenomena like tornadoes and hurricanes. Plus, the weather guys will stop by to answer weather-related questions. You'll also put your orientation skills to the test by attempting to match campus landmarks on satellite images to the real thing from your birds-eye view atop our 16-story building.

Anticipated Activities:

Build an anemometer and a model weather satellite
Assemble a solar bead bracelet to learn about the electromagnetic spectrum
Take a virtual trip to Antarctica
Learn how scientists first studied snow crystals, then design your own
Enjoy a breathtaking view of Madison from the second tallest building on campus

Age Recommendation:
Session II - 7 to 10 years
Session III - 11 to 14 years

Physical Activity Level: Low to Medium
Participants will take a tour involving a flight of stairs.

Instructors:

Margaret Mooney
Jean Phillips
Matthew Lazzara
Jennifer O'Leary

microbiology - sessions i and iii

Dean: Cathy Vrentas, Doctoral Fellow, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Description: Explore the world of wonderfully small life: bacteria! Some are germs that make us sick, but you'll also learn about the many helpful bacteria all around us: in our food, our soil and inside our bodies! UW biology outreachers will help you get up close and personal with bacteria. After being introduced to this small world, you're sure to appreciate the vital role they play in our larger world.

Note: This major involves work with bacteria that are normally harmless, but it would not be suitable for persons with compromised immune systems.

Anticipated Activities:

Go on a "microbial safari" to learn about how bacteria are everywhere
Grow and examine bacteria found in common places
Make your own "Winogradsky column" to take home - a cool experiment in a bottle that will show you the different types of bacteria present in soil and water

Age Recommendation:
Session I - 7 to 10 years old
Session III - 11 to 14 years old

Physical Activity Level: Low

Instructors:

Cathy Vrentas
Members of the Biology Outreach Club

physics - sessions ii and iii

Dean: Rachael Lancor, Associate Outreach Specialist, Department of Physics, College of Letters and Science

Description: Physics is the study of motion, so whether you know it or not, you're already an expert! Your study of physics in this major will include motion, heat, sound, light, electricity and magnetism with hands-on learning activities and projects to build. It's a great opportunity to experiment with the physics of everyday objects and explore the workings of molecules and electrons using equipment from the UW-Madison Department of Physics.

Anticipated Activities:

Make ice cream using liquid nitrogen
Build musical instruments and see their sound waves
Dissect household appliances

Age Recommendation:
Session II - 11 to 14 years old
Session III - 7 to 10 years old

Physical Activity Level: Low

Instructors:

Rachael Lancor
Hillary Stephens

rocket science - sessions i and ii

Dean: Kay Kriewald, Outreach Specialist, UW Space Place, Department of Astronomy, College of Letters and Science

Description: What do Pop Rocks candy and rockets have in common? Find out as you explore the scientific principles that govern the design and flight of rockets. You'll look at similarities and differences among various types of rockets, including air-powered, water-powered and even antacid-powered. You'll also experiment with making and safely flying your own. Be prepared to test your rocket engineering skills and shoot for the stars!

Anticipated Activities:

Build a pinwheel rocket and design and fly paper rockets
Experience with water-powered rockets
Determine factors that affect the rate of reaction of alka-seltzer rockets

Age Recommendation:
Session I - 11 to 14 years
Session II - 7 to 10 years

Physical Activity Level: Low to Medium
All activities will take place at the UW Space Place facility.

Instructor:

Kay Kriewald

stem cells - session iii

Dean: Rupa Shevde, Ph.D., Senior Scientist and Team Leader, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, WiCell

Description: Explore how researchers grow stem cells and use them in basic research to determine how these cells develop into tissues and organs. Working in the teaching lab, you'll learn some of the techniques used to feed and transfer cells growing in test tubes. Plus, using microscopes you'll get to look at several types of stem cells and see how their shapes change as they differentiate into different types of cells, such as muscle cells and nerve cells. You'll also examine ways that stem cells might be used in regenerative medicine to treat diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's - and discuss the issues of ethics, safety and privacy.

Anticipated Activities:

Learn techniques used to feed and transfer cells growing in test tubes
Look at several different types of stem cells using microscopes and watch how they differentiate themselves from muscle cells to nerve cells
Discover the exciting medical advancements being made in using stem cells to treat diseases like diabetes

Age Recommendation: 11 to 14 years

Physical Activity Level: Low

Instructors:

Rupa Shevde
Lia Thornberry
Travis Cordie

textile design - session i

Dean: Diana Zlatanovski, Associate Academic Curator, Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, School of Human Ecology

Description: Learn about historic textiles within the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection. The collection features over 12,000 textiles from all over the world, with countless eras and techniques represented. In this major, you'll concentrate on textile printing techniques. After studying printed textiles from the collection, and becoming inspired, you'll have the opportunity to create your own. That's right, you can come up with your very own original design, and then have it screen printed onto a T-shirt you can take home with you.

Anticipated Activities:

Study textiles in the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection
Create an original textile design
Produce a silkscreen and print designs onto T-shirts

Age Recommendations: 11 to 14 years

Physical Activity Level: Medium
Climbing stairs will be necessary. There will be some periods of standing, but chairs will be available.

Instructors:

Diana Zlatanovski
Kate Troyer

theatre and drama - sessions i and ii

Dean: Michele Traband, Senior Administrative Program Specialist, Theatre and Drama, College of Letters and Sciences

Description: "All the world's a stage" and in this major you'll literally be an actor. Become a real star after learning how to bring a playwright's words to life through improvisation, acting exercises, movement and makeup. You'll also get to go behind-the-scenes by taking a tour of the theatre stage and backstage areas. It's a great way to see how the cast and crew of a play work their theatrical magic.

Anticipated Activities:

Participate in improvisation and theatre games
Learn about acting and character development
Explore movement for the stage
Discover voice, speech and dialect techniques to effectively speak on stage
Learn how to apply stage makeup

Age Recommendations:
Session I - 7 to 10 years
Session II - 11 to 14 years

Physical Activity Level: Medium
It includes movement exercises, crawling around and "pretending".

Instructors:

Michele Traband

veterinary medicine - session iii

Dean: Chuck Henrikson, Senior Lecturer, Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine

Description: Find out what it takes to become a veterinarian. In this major, you'll give a dog and a horse a physical at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. You'll also learn how to use a stethoscope to listen to heart, lung and gut sounds in dogs and horses. Discover how similar humans are to dogs, horses and cows - and learn about plenty of differences, too!

Note: This program will bring participants into contact with animals and is not recommended for those with compromised immune systems or animal allergies.

Anticipated Activities:

Give a dog and a horse a physical
Use a stethoscope to listen to heart, lung and gut sounds in dogs and horses
Use problem-solving skills to determine what's wrong with a sick animal
Learn the similarities between human anatomy and that of dogs, horses and cows

Age Recommendation: All ages are appropriate.

Physical Activity Level: Medium
Walking between labs is required.

Instructors:

Chuck Henrikson
Veterinary Medicine Students

wildlife ecology - sessions i and iii

Dean: Jamie Nack, Wildlife Outreach Specialist, Department of Wildlife Ecology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Description: Take a walk on the wild side! In this major, you'll learn about dozens of Wisconsin's fascinating wild animals, from ruby-throated hummingbirds to black bears. Then, pick up the basic techniques of bird identification and bird- watching. Finally, test your new skills by going on a scavenger hunt around campus in search of wildlife and the clues they've left behind.

Note: If you have binoculars, please bring them along. This program will occur rain or shine. Dress appropriately for the weather.

Anticipated Activities: