On May 21, the Science Initiative Roadshow hosted an engaging STEM Day at Livingston Elementary School in Cody, reaching 290 K-5th grade students. This event featured a variety of educational stations designed to teach students about weathering and erosion, Wyoming geography, water, beaver engineering, human anatomy, chemistry, trona mining, marine biology, and engineering straw rockets. Collaborators included the Cody Conservation District and the UW Science Kitchen, who contributed to the interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities. The event aimed to spark curiosity and enthusiasm for science among young learners by providing a diverse array of STEM experiences.
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Roadshow Team:
Ashleigh Pilkerton (Graduate Student in Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit)
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
Mark Lyford (Faculty Executive Program Director Science Initiative)
Noah Paiz (Undergraduate Student in Pre-Pharmacy)
Lilian Jones (Undergraduate Student Elementary and Special Education)
Andrew Miller (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Megan Schnorenberg Candelaria (UW Science Kitchen Director)
On May 20th and 21st, the SI Roadshow’s graduate student Sabrina White traveled to Rock Springs High School where she visited with 120 high school students. She taught on the evolution of bees by having the students make and create a phylogenetic tree of bees that was turned into a 3D mobile. The students and Sabrina talked about bees and insects and specifically what changed overtime to bring about the different bee species that we see today! She showed them a dead bee colony so they could appreciate the behavioral and physical adaptations of bees and then ended with one class building and creating special weather stations with temperature, humidity, and wind readings that they can use throughout the year to measure changes in weather patterns (as this has had a substantial impact on bee and insect populations).
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Roadshow Team:
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
On May 15, 16, and 17th, the Roadshow performed their 3rd annual partnership with the Snowy Range Academy 5th grade students to help them have an authentic experience to engage with the scientific method. The 42 students were divided into 6 different research teams that were led by UW graduate students, faculty, or staff. This year, the six research teams included investigations of mammals, plants, trees, zooplankton, wind, and rocks. The students and research leaders spent the first 2 days up in Curt Gowdy State Park where they worked to determine a research question on day 1 related to their science area. The second day they collected data to test their hypotheses. On the third day, we all met at Snowy Range Academy where students and researchers collaborated to analyze the data and create poster board presentations on their findings. The students then presented their work to their peers, teachers, other researchers, parents, and Snowy Range Academy administration.
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Roadshow Team:
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Ryan Goeken (Staff in Science Initiative)
Eva Smith (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Emily Meyer (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Taylor Wagstaff (Monteith Shop)
Macy Jacobson (Monteith Shop)
Ashleigh Pilkerton (Graduate Student in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology)
Mark Lyford (Executive Director Science Initiative Programs)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
On May 17th, Karagh Brummond and Erin Klauk visited with the 20 high school students on Laramie’s mock trial team. The students were introduced to the idea of neuroscience and law and were able to learn about the brain, see brain specimens, and then go through a couple exercises on how the brain and the legal system are becoming intermixed. The students learned about the legal context of the adolescent brain and how neuroscience is shaping the laws surrounding juvenile and late adolescence.
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Roadshow Team:
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
On May 14th, the Science Initiative Roadshow engaged 60 7-12 grade students in two 90-minute workshops at UW’s annual Women in STEM Conference. One workshop focused on geology and subsurface profiling where students could explore the ground beneath their feet. In this session, students learned about what soil is, the different layers, and how to "see" the layers without digging up the ground. Students had the chance to record their own seismic measurements by swinging the hammer and seeing the waves created. The second workshop the Roadshow offered focused on pollinators and bee house crafting. Students learned about the rich biodiversity of pollinators in our world, and the significant role they play in nurturing our favorite foods. Students were able to get up close with our local pollinators as crafted bee houses were designed for their gardens.
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Roadshow Team:
Nancy Weinheimer (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Lena Schwebs (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Andrew Miller (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Erica Farris (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
On May 2, the Science Initiative Roadshow hosted an engaging STEM Day at Lusk Elementary/Middle School and Lance Creek School, reaching 175 students from Pre-K to 6th grade. The event featured a variety of educational stations where students learned about physics, the water cycle, robotics, trona mining, human anatomy, animal adaptation, and engineering straw rockets. Collaborators for this event included the Niobrara Conservation District, the UW Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the UW Science Kitchen. Through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities, students were provided with valuable learning experiences that sparked their curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM fields.
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Roadshow Team:
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
Mark Lyford (Faculty Executive Program Director Science Initiative)
Elizabeth Lungren (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Danny Dale (Faculty Physics and Astronomy)
Megan Schnorenberg Candelaria (UW Science Kitchen Director)
From April 23-25, the Science Initiative Roadshow hosted an enriching outdoor science experience for 90 fourth and fifth-grade students from Beitel Elementary School. Set against the scenic backdrops of the Snowy Mountains and LaPrele Park, the event was organized in collaboration with Common Outdoor Ground and Game and Fish. Students engaged in a variety of outdoor STEM stations, each designed to highlight the importance of the natural world and its resources. Activities included beaver engineering, water conservation, and soundwaves, all with an outdoor twist to make the learning experience immersive and impactful. The event aimed to foster a deep appreciation for nature and encourage responsible stewardship of the environment among the young participants.
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Roadshow Team:
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Andrew Miller (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Erica Farris (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
On April 17th, the Roadshow went east to Cheyenne to visit with the 3rd grade students of Dildine Elementary School. The 56 students learned about animals and their environments. They started by doing a favorite activity, the moth catcher! Students learned about physical and behavioral adaptations of animals. The main physical adaption discussed was camouflage! The students then each received a white moth cut out and had to select a spot in the classroom to be their “environment.” They had to then use colored pencils to camouflage their moth to the environment. Their teacher was then the moth catcher and had 3 minutes to find as many moths as possible! We then made a visual graph on the board and identified why some moths were “predated” while others were “survivors.” The students then got to get their hands dirty building beaver dams as a behavioral adaptation. They tested their beaver dams as we poured water into their trays.
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Roadshow Team:
Lydia Looby (Undergraduate Student in Physiology)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
On April 11, the Science Initiative Roadshow visited Linford Elementary School, engaging 45 fourth-grade students in an exciting STEM Day event. The students rotated through various educational stations designed to teach them about programming and robotics, topographic mapping and landforms, anatomy, brain science and weathering and erosion. Each station provided hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations, fostering a deeper understanding of these STEM concepts. The event aimed to inspire curiosity and enthusiasm for science and technology, offering valuable educational experiences that aligned with the students' curriculum and encouraged their interest in STEM fields.
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Roadshow Team:
Andrew Miller (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Ari Toutrellot (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Madison Ruhman (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
Lena Schwebs (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
On April 5, the Science Initiative Roadshow visited Laramie High School, engaging 200 students in grades 9-12 with an in-depth exploration of ocean acidification. The students participated in a series of activities designed to illustrate the ocean's role as a carbon sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and the long-term implications of increased CO2 levels. Through hands-on experiments and interactive lessons, students examined the relationship between rising CO2 levels and decreasing ocean pH, delved into the concepts of acids and bases, and identified CO2 sources and sinks. Additionally, they investigated the impact of acidic solutions on calcium carbonate-shelled organisms. By the end of the event, students had a comprehensive understanding of the future state of our oceans, the effects on human populations, and the collective actions needed to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
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Roadshow Team:
Ashleigh Pilkerton (Graduate Student in Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit)
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
Kinsale Day (Undergraduate Student in Geography & Physics)
Roche Espadron (Undergrad in Zoology)
Macei Engelke (Undergraduate in Physiology)
Riley Cabot (Undergraduate in Physiology)
On April 3rd, the Roadshow embarked on an incredible outreach mission to reach all 205 preschool students in Cody, Wyoming in one day! The Roadshow split into 4 teams to achieve this mission and partnered with the SAE A World in Motion curriculum to do the hands-on activity of animal habitats in each classroom. The Roadshow visited 14 different preschool classrooms in the morning and an additional 5 classrooms in the afternoon. During the activity, the students began by reading the book “My Home is Better than Yours” where a couple different animals were trying hard to determine who had the best home. In the end, each home was just right for that particular animal. We worked off this to then give each child a small animal figurine that they then built their own habitat/home for. The students talked and explained why their home was the best for their animal.
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Roadshow Team:
Ari Tourtellot (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Madison Ruhman (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Erica Farris (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Elizabeth Lungren (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
The Roadshow took off to Uinta County on March 28th to bring a STEM Day to 286 K-5th grade students at Aspen Elementary School in Evanston. The STEM Day was full of a wide variety of science activities and partnerships with internal and external groups that made it all possible. The students rotated through stations covering the engineering design process, beaver ecology, robotics, trona mining, animal pelts, and identifying animal/insect stages. The Science Initiative Roadshow partnered with the UW Engineering Outreach Program, the Bear River State Park, and Wyoming Game and Fish to bring this amazing experience to many students in Evanston!
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Roadshow Team:
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Noah Piaz (Undergraduate Student Pre-Pharmacy)
On March 27th, the Roadshow partnered with the Department of Zoology and Physiology and the Program in Neuroscience to offer a 2-hour hands-on night with activities related to the brain as part of the international Dana Foundation Brain Awareness Week movement. During the event, attendees could explore tables that were set up with different types of brain science activities. They could visit a table for each sense, touch, taste, hearing, smell, and vision, while also testing their neuroscience jeopardy and learning about brain injury. The attendees could also learn from the Alzheimer's Association Wyoming Chapter who came and supported the event with a table as well. At the senses tables, participants could try to guess what they were smelling and see if they could order a perfume of different quantity in order from most potent to least. At the taste table, they could see if they were a super taster and trick their sense of taste by changing sour things to sweet with miracle berries. At the hearing table, they learned from Neuroscience expert Dr. Trey Todd about their sense of hearing and tested the frequencies they could hear. At the touch table they could operate a claw with just their muscles and try to order sandpaper from fine to course with just their fingertips. The vision table was full of fun optical illusions and prism glasses that changed the angle of their sight. The event also had two special events, a talk on drugs and the brain by Dr. Paige Morgan of Albany County Community College, former UW Program in Neuroscience PhD graduate, and could experience their very own sheep brain dissection. Young participants could build a brain out of play doh and create their own pipe cleaner neurons as well! The Roadshow is thankful to all those who came and collaborated to make this event a success and reach 40 Laramie community individuals.
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Roadshow Team:
Ari Tourtellot (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Erik Gwaltney (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Madison Ruhman (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Kinsale Day (Undergraduate Student in Geography)
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Noah Paiz (Undergraduate Student in Pre-Pharmacy)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
The Roadshow drove over to Cheyenne on March 22nd to Miller Elementary School where they brought a half-day STEM Day to 72 K-5 students. At the STEM Day, the students were able to test and identify minerals, explore Wyoming geography on a giant map of the state, build bee houses and learn about pollinators, complete a puzzle of the human body to test their knowledge on human anatomy, learn about the brain and create their own brains, and challenge themselves in engineering challenges with a partnership from UW Engineering Outreach group. The also engaged in a new Roadshow station on robotics, being able to use indi bot cars that read color to create paths for the robot car to drive. The students had a blast and enjoyed the variety of stations they were able to experience.
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Roadshow Team:
Kinsale Day (Undergraduate Student in Geography)
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Elizabeth Lungren (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Andrew Miller (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Noah Paiz (Undergraduate Student in Pre-Pharmacy)
Ari Tourtellot (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Erik Gwaltney (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
On March 5th and 6th, the Roadshow stayed local and visited with one of their longest sustained partnerships of nearly 7 years at Laramie High School! As part of the Brain Awareness Initiative worldwide, the Roadshow went into the Laramie High School Psychology classrooms to do some hands-on activities related to the brain. The students began with a DIY Kahoot game where they tried to determine the answers to some facts and myths about the brain. After that, the students rotated through some stations based on the senses. They tricked their sense of taste with miracle berries, wore prism goggles and tried to understand optical illusions, used the neuronal signals to their muscles to control a robotic claw, and got to see actual brain specimens from a variety of animal species. The students then got a chance to go through some legal cases led by Dr. Karagh Brummond in Neuroscience and Law. Students then considered if adolescence should be mitigating in the legal system.
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Roadshow Team:
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Erik Gwaltney (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Madison Ruhman (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Kinsale Day (Undergraduate Student in Geography)
Ari Tourtellot (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
On March 2 in Cheyenne, the Science Initiative Roadshow engaged 46 K-8 students in an inspiring STEM event specifically designed to excite young girls about science. The event featured activities focused on Wyoming geography, pollinators, brain science, and beaver ecology. Through interactive demonstrations and hands-on experiences, students explored these diverse STEM topics, fostering curiosity and enthusiasm for science. The event aimed to empower young girls by showcasing the exciting possibilities within STEM fields, encouraging their interest and participation in science-related activities.
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Roadshow Team:
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Erica Farris (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Noah Paiz (Undergraduate Student in Pre-Pharmacy)
Kinsale Day (Undergraduate Student in Geography & Physics)
Elizabeth Lungren (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Erik Gwaltney (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Nancy Weinheimer (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
The Roadshow reached a new demographic on February 29th when they visited the UW Early Childhood Education Center in Laramie to bring a hands-on STEM activity to 15 PreK students. The students learned about what it means to be a type of scientist called a “naturalist.” They were able to read a story about animals talking about their different homes before each selecting their own animal to build and create a home for, or a habitat. They then talked about how as a scientist they would explore and study the habitat they created for their animal. This was the first Roadshow event that was also in collaboration with A World in Motion (AWIM) by Society of American Engineers (SAE).
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Roadshow Team:
Erica Farris (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Madison Ruhman (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Erik Gwaltney (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
On February 22, the Science Initiative Roadshow organized an exciting STEM Day event for 275 K-5 students, featuring a diverse array of activities in geology, anatomy, robotics, archaeology, chemistry, geography, and ecology. The event was enriched by the participation of University of Wyoming outreach groups from Engineering, Monteith Shop, and SER, alongside local organizations such as Game and Fish, Trout Unlimited, and the Wyoming Wildlife Federation. Students rotated through multiple educational stations, each offering interactive demonstrations, educational presentations, and engaging activities designed to provide valuable learning experiences. The event aimed to spark curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM fields among young learners. For a glimpse into the event, check out this short video: STEM Days Highlights.
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Roadshow Team:
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
Mark Lyford (Faculty Executive Program Director Science Initiative)
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Lilian Jones (Undergraduate Student Elementary and Special Education)
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Macei Engelke (Undergraduate in Physiology)
Aurora Gearhart (Undergraduate Student in Archeology)
February 10th brought the SI Roadshow Co-Director, Karagh Brummond, to Green River where she was invited to run a station as a woman in STEM for the young girls in the community. Karagh visited with 40 different students 5-6th grade to spark some interest in the sciences and feel accepted to pursue careers as a woman in STEM fields. At her station, Karagh had the girls build and create their own muscle system by using cardstock rolled up for bones and balloons for muscles. The girls created their own elbow joints and learned about flexion and extension of joints. They ended with a hands-on activity of being able to operate a robotic claw with their muscles!
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Roadshow Team:
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
On January 23-24, the Science Initiative Roadshow engaged 130 eighth-grade students in a comprehensive exploration of sound waves, aligned with the middle school state standard MS-PS4-2. Over an 85-minute hands-on lesson, students participated in a series of activities designed to illustrate how sound waves are reflected, absorbed, and transmitted through various materials. The event showcased the application of sound waves across diverse STEM fields, including geology, neuroscience, physics, and music. Through interactive experiments and demonstrations, students gained a deeper understanding of sound wave behavior, enriching their knowledge and enthusiasm for science.
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Roadshow Team:
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Erica Farris (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erik Gwaltney (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
On January 19th, the Roadshow kicked off the spring semester with a visit to the Hanna, Elk Mountain Medicine Bow (HEM) Jr/Sr High School! The Roadshow has a very long sustained partnership with the STEM teacher, Kaitlyn Larson, at the school and each year we visit for a full school-wide STEM Day (this is actually where the idea for a STEM Day originated). This year, similar to last year, HEM Jr/Sr High invited the local Elementary School and the younger students were paired with older students for the day for the STEM activities. The STEM stations were filled with variety covering topic in animal adaptations, mineral identification, human anatomy, beaver ecology, engineering, and physics. The event was a success with partnerships from the UW Science Kitchen and UW Engineering Outreach Program. We reached 160 K-12 students and had a blast continuing to see the students grow each year we come back!
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Roadshow Team:
Ashleigh Pilkerton (Graduate Student in Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit)
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Nancy Weinheimer (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Andrew Miller (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Ari Toutrellot (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Madison Ruhman (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
On December 15, the Science Initiative Roadshow brought geology activities to 36 fourth grade students at Beitel Elementary. Designed to align with Wyoming State Standards 4-ESS1-1, 4-ESS2-1, and 4-ESS2-2, the event featured two engaging, hands-on geology stations. The first station focused on mapping, where students pieced together large topographic map puzzles, and then drew profiles showing them what the different contour lines represent. They applied this knowledge to different geological features, such as U-shaped valleys verse V-shaped valleys and how they form. The second station explored weathering and erosion, helping students understand how rocks break down through both chemical and physical erosional processes.
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Roadshow Team:
Erin Klauk (Faculty in Geology and Geophysics Department)
Andrew Miller (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Sara McCollough (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
On November 27th, the Roadshow partnered with the Microbiology Capstone Students for a hands-on activity at the Rock Springs High School that reached 144 9-12th grade students. The Capstone student team (called the Tick Blitz team) worked with Tracey Watkin’s students. They did a Jigsaw in which the expert teams each solved a case study around a particular tickborne disease outbreak (forensics data integrated). Home teams then came back together, and each expert member taught the home team about their case. Home teams then answered a complex question about solutions to the overall problem of rising vectorborne disease in the face of climate change. The questions included: How do all of these cases relate to one another? How do all of these cases relate to biodiversity and environment? What holistic solution/s would your team propose to this problem? In this activity, students practiced all skills listed in standard SCI.BIO.1.5 (Evaluate and assess impacts on the environment and biodiversity in order to refine or design a solution for detrimental impacts or enhancement for positive impacts) as well as concepts involving forensics. Sabrina White, a graduate student in Zoology and Physiology, (assisted by Erin Bentley) worked with Deb Jensen’s classes. Sabrina focused on climate and pollinator populations. The students did a jigsaw in which expert and home teams were assigned with special cards. Each card had the picture of a pollinator on one side and a story/case on the other side. The expert teams were all students with pictures of the same pollinator. In these teams, the students named the problem described as a story/case on the back of the card. Home teams then formed that had one member each with all of the diverse pollinators. They shared the problems with each other from each pollinator team. Together, they decided which of 3 solutions (enhancements for/ positive impacts) was best. After finishing the activity, students again joined the others with the same pollinator card and built a house for that pollinator (e.g. bee house). This activity allowed the students to practice each skill named in standard SCI.BIO.1.5.
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Roadshow Team:
Kai Yeager (Undergraduate Student in Microbiology)
Gabriela Gracia-Salinas (Undergraduate Student in Microbiology)
Ellie Groves (Undergraduate Student in Microbiology)
Ryan Williams (Undergraduate Student in Microbiology)
Erin Bentley (Graduate Student in Botany)
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
On November 27th, the Roadshow visited the Encampment K-12 School for a full STEM Day with 116 students. This was a great STEM Day where we had 2 different sets of hands-on activities. The K-5th grade students rotated through stations covering topics in physical sciences, beaver ecology, human anatomy, engineering, straw rockets, computer science, fossils, brain science, and animal pelts. These were shorter stations providing this set of students with a variety of hands-on activities all across STEM disciplines. The older students 6-12th grade rotated through longer stations where they performed hands-on activities in ocean acidification, sheep brain dissections, engineering design challenges, and learned about soils. This STEM Day was possible due to collaborations with internal and external partners including the UW Science Kitchen, UW Engineering Outreach Program, Carbon County Ag Extension Office, and Wyoming Game and Fish.
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Roadshow Team:
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Ashleigh Pilkerton (Graduate Student in Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit)
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Elizabeth Lungren (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Quiana Jeffs (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
On November 16, the Science Initiative Roadshow hosted a dynamic STEM Day for 190 K-5 students, featuring a variety of educational stations run by our outreach assistants with the help of outside partner groups including the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences K-14 STEM Education Outreach, Makerspace, Western Wyoming Community College, and Game and Fish. The event provided valuable educational experiences through interactive demonstrations, educational presentations, and engaging hands-on activities. Students rotated by grade level through stations covering diverse topics such as bird adaptations, engineering, animal pelts, physical science, physics, fossils, anatomy, beaver ecology, brain science, tree rings, animal environments, microbiology, and robotics. The day was designed to spark curiosity and excitement in STEM fields among the young learners. For a glimpse into events like this, check out this short video: STEM Days Highlights.
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Roadshow Team:
Elizabeth Lungren (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Elsa Freise (Undergraduate in Ecosystem Science and Management)
Kenzie Long (Undergraduate in Physiology)
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Engineering)
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Madison Ruhmann (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Erik Gwaltney (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
On November 7th and 8th, the Roadshow stayed local and performed one of their many sustained classroom visits with the Laramie Middle School 8th grade students. In this classroom visit, 130 8th grade students spent two days performing the Roadshow’s recycling design challenge where they learned about both the engineering design process and contact forces. Students reviewed the concepts of the engineering design process and then went into using recycled materials to build, design, test, and re-build a car, tower, or bridge in groups. They had to work together to create their design, build the prototype out of various recycled materials and then put their build through 3 different tests of forces. They then had to use the results of their test scores to calculate an overall score! The Roadshow comes to the middle school each year to perform this hands-on activity at the end of the 8th grade unit on contact forces.
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Roadshow Team:
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Erica Farries (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Sabrina White (Graduate Student in Zoology and Physiology)
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Nancy Weinheimer (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Quiana Jeffs (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
On October 30, the Science Initiative Roadshow presented a 2-day lesson on chemical reactions to 230 seventh-grade students at Laramie Middle School. These hands-on activities integrated earth, life, and physical science concepts, aligning with middle school science state standards MS-PS1-2 and MS-PS1-3. Students explored chemical reactions through engaging activities such as the instant rust experiment, where they mixed hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and water to create rust on metal screws (safety was prioritized with PPE). The lesson also included activities to hypothesize differences in rock colors due to iron oxide and a creative use of foam balls and skewers to understand balanced chemical equations. Additionally, students learned about the biological application of iron oxide in functional brain imaging scans (fMRI), linking classroom concepts to real-world science.
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Roadshow Team:
Nancy Weinheimer (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Andrew Miller (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Erik Gwaltney (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
On October 23rd, the Roadshow was able to visit with their local Spring Creek Elementary School to have a full STEM Day for 180 K-5th grade students. The students rotated through a number of different STEM stations that allowed them to have hands-on activities related to many STEM disciplines. These stations included activities in robotics, cybersecurity, straw rockets, beaver ecology, human anatomy, brain science, skull anatomy, physics, migration, engineering, and fossils. The Roadshow partnered with internal and external statewide programs to support this STEM Day including the UW Engineering Outreach group, UW Mobile Wyrkshop Makerspace, UW Science Kitchen, Wyoming Game and Fish, and the CyberWyoming group. For a glimpse into events like this, check out this short video: STEM Days Highlights.
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Roadshow Team:
Katie Davis (Graduate Student in Program in Ecology)
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Quiana Jeffs (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Erik Gwaltney (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Andrew Miller (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Madison Ruhman (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Jamie Crait (Faculty Science Initiative)
On October 21, the Science Initiative Roadshow was one of the favorite 45-minute workshops offered to 150 5-9th grade young women from all over Wyoming at the University of Wyoming. The Wyoming Latina Youth Conference provides wonderful and empowering experiences for Latinas and Latinx gender-expansive youth at the University of Wyoming. With over 250 participants from 22 different schools throughout the State of Wyoming, it was the largest WLYC to date. The Roadshow ran an interactive hands-on station in the geology building, allowing students to learn at both the museum and with current graduate students in geology. The theme focused on minerals and their properties, and students learned how to test for each property, and use common tools to identify common minerals. Their knowledge was reinforced at the geology museum where they saw top quality gem and mineral displays. They were able to choose a favorite mineral at the end of their workshop and bring it home as a necklace.
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Roadshow Team:
Erin Klauk (Faculty in Geology and Geophysics Department)
Noah Paiz (Undergraduate Student in Pre-Pharmacy)
Kinsale Day (Undergraduate Student in Geography & Physics)
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Engineering)
Andrew Miller (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Alyssa Baldwin (Graduate Student in Ecosystems Science Management)
Madison Ruhmann (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
On October 11th the Roadshow drove up to Cody, Wyoming to have a full STEM Day for 290 Livingston Elementary K-5th grade students. The students rotated through a number of different STEM stations that allowed them to have hands-on activities related to many STEM disciplines. These stations included activities in brain science, mathematics, physics, viruses, animal traits, rocks and minerals, the engineering design process, human anatomy, plants, horticulture, and robotics. The Roadshow partnered with internal and external statewide programs to support this STEM Day including the UW Engineering Outreach group, UW Mobile Wyrkshop Makerspace, Cody Conservation District, Northwestern Community College, and the UW Park County Extension office. The event was so successful that the Roadshow and partners will be performing hands-on STEM days at Livingston Elementary School each semester! For a glimpse into events like this, check out this short video: STEM Days Highlights.
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Roadshow Team:
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering)
Madison Ruhman (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Erica Farris (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Charlie Nuncio (Graduate Student in Geology and Geophysics)
Karagh Brummond (Faculty Science Initiative)
Erin Klauk (Faculty Science Initiative)
Mark Lyford (Faculty Executive Program Director Science Initiative)
On October 5, the Science Initiative Roadshow headed to the Snowy Mountains outside Laramie to do some outdoor science with kindergarten and 1st grade students from UW’s Lab school. For this outreach event, students rotated through hands-on outdoor themed stations that included topics like fishing, outdoor stewardship, and geology. The roadshow ran an interactive geology station with fun activities that focused on the 3 rock types and how they form.
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Roadshow Team:
Erin Klauk (Faculty - Geology and Geophysics Department)
On September 28, the Science Initiative Roadshow participated in the third annual Discovery Day at the Wyoming Air National Guard in Cheyenne, WY. This event aims to inspire and engage students in science, technology, engineering, arts and math fields through interactive displays and exciting demonstrations, and the roadshow participated with hands-on activities in brain science, germs and viruses, physics, and engineering.
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Roadshow Team:
Austin Bernard (Undergraduate Student in Engineering)
Erica Farris (Undergraduate Student in Molecular Biology)
Madison Ruhmann (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
Quiana Jeffs (Graduate Student in Neuroscience)
This community-based project linked students at Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow Junior/Senior High School (HEM) with local research in their community. In collaboration with Dr. Ellen Currano of UW, who investigates how ancient ecosystems respond to global change, the SI Roadshow designed and implemented age-appropriate curriculum to 30 HEM 7-12th grade students to teach about this work occurring in the Hanna area on September 21. Dr. Currano’s research, in collaboration with the USGS, involved coring in the Hanna Basin to investigate a major climate change that occurred in Wyoming approximately 55-56 million years ago. After the classroom activities that taught HEM students about this research, students were taken on a field trip to the drilling site to learn about the geology of the basin, meet the scientists and drillers, and learn about the drilling process. Students were very excited to learn about the research occurring in their backyards; one student even came back the next morning to show his family the drilling site and teach them about what he learned from our visit!
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Roadshow Team:
Erin Klauk (Faculty - Geology and Geophysics)
On Friday, September 9th, the 2nd Annual UW STEM Carnival was held on the UW campus from 10-2pm at the Engineering Education and Research Building. The UW STEM Carnival is an annual event hosted by the UW Top-Tier Science Initiative, in partnership with the Office of the President that celebrates a STEM unit on campus. Each year, the carnival rotates to a new facility on campus and invitse the statewide community to join us for a day to highlight the amazing STEM research and programs at the University of Wyoming. To celebrate STEM, science departments and programs offer a STEM table at the event where they have hands-on activities and demonstrations for the participants at the carnival. In organizing this large-scale inreach event, the Science Initiative hopes to increase awareness of the science research on campus, connect universities with statewide partners, and increase campus connections. This year the carnival had over 40 participating units (list below) from all across campus. These tables were attended to by faculty, students, and staff who all helped contribute to hands-on activities and demonstrations at their STEM tables. In addition to the 40+ hands-on STEM tables from a variety of science units on campus, we also had additional activities for attendees (mostly K-12 students) focused on the research and facilities of the EERB. These included the Driving Simulator, Cybersecurity Lab, Artificial Intelligence Lab, Drilling Simulator, Produced Water Lab, Hydrocarbon Lab, and the Makerspace/Innovation Wyrkshop. The Planetarium also had shows throughout the day and Chip Kobulnicky with Physics and Astronomy led a physics demonstration with a watermelon drop off the roof of the EERB! Atmospheric Sciences also launched two weather balloons throughout the day and Jody Speight was there to give tours of the EERB. President Seidel and Dr. Allen were even on site at the carnival to give an interactive session to students on black holes! We could not be more thankful and appreciative of our STEM units offering tables and these labs for opening their spaces for students to explore!
The carnival had a total of 1,156 attendees with 650 of those as K-12 students. The K-12 students were from Beitel Elementary School, Indian Paintbrush Elementary School, Hann Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Schools, Rock River School, UW Lab School, Southeast School in Goshen County, Harmony Elementary, Montessori School, and several students from across the state enrolled in Wyoming Connections Academy.
“The second annual UW STEM Carnival hosted by the Science Initiative was a tremendous success that could not have been possible without the amazing STEM units on campus, researchers and support staff in the EERB, President Seidel and UW administration, and Amanda Korpitz and her team with the President’s Office of Events. This event reached an astounding number of students and local community members and we can’t wait to see how the carnival grows at our 3rd annual event on Friday, September 6, 2024.” -Karagh Brummond (Science Initiative Director of Outreach and Engagement)
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Participating Units:
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Innovation Wyrkshop Drilling Simulator Cybersecurity Laboratory Harry C Vaughan Planetarium Driving Simulation Laboratory Hydrocarbon Laboratory Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Produced Water Laboratory WyomingView WyGISC/School of Computing Science Loves Art School of Pharmacy Monteith Shop (Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources) Wyoming State Science Fair University of Wyoming Museum of Vertebrates Science Kitchen Biodiversity Institute Ecology and Biogeochemistry Core Lab Wyoming INBRE Wyoming NASA Space Grant Kinesiology and Health International Nordic Ski Training Program College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Dean's Office Center for Student Success Wyonics LLC Mechanical Engineering Plenty Unlimited Inc. Honors College 3D Visualization Center Atmospheric Sciences Chemistry |
Civil, Architectural and Construction Management Rocky Mountain Herbarium Molecular Biology Undergraduate Research Opportunities Geology and Geophysics Anthropology College of Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Natural Resources Family and Consumer Sciences Wyrkshop Mobile Makerspaces School of Energy Resources Physics and Astronomy HAUB School of Environment and Natural Resources Electrical Engineering and Computer Science The American Institute of Chemical Engineers Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Plant Sciences Natural Resource Conservation Service Admissions Science Initiative Roadshow Upward Bound Math and Science Animal Science Ecosystem Science and Management Blockchain and Digital Innovation Wyoming Research Scholars Program McNair Scholars Program President Seidel Dr. Gabrielle Allen Western Thunder Marching Band |
On August 22nd the Roadshow stayed local and performed hands-on sheep brain dissections with 25 incoming UW freshman as part of the saddle up program. The students got to learn more about the brain and get experience performing a brain dissection, seeing parts of the brain that are otherwise not possible. The students enjoyed the event and Roadshow graduate student, Quiana Jeffs, led them through the process and coached them through the different brain regions they were seeing and the function of those regions.
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Roadshow Team:
Quiana Jeffs (Graduate Student Program in Neuroscience)
Madison Ruhman (Graduate Student Program in Neuroscience)
