Wisconsin Science Festival

Today is the first day of the Wisconsin Science Festival which will run September 27-30 all around the UW-Madison campus and throughout Madison.  Wisconsin's Water Library staff will be volunteering at the "Ask a Science Librarian" table at the  Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery all day today.   Librarians will be available Thursday & Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to help you learn how to use online science search tools, databases, and more. Stop by and pick up a Bucky Go Big Read! poster, register to win a one of three copies of this years's Go Big Read! title, Radioactive, and help yourself to flyers, bookmarks or puzzles. 

The Wisconsin Science Festival is the invention of a growing coalition of scientists, artists, citizens, and organizations passionate about engaging everyone in the wonder and power of science. The organizers plan for the festival to change and expand locations each year so that it is hosted in multiple venues across the state.

Wisconsin Science Festival website here
Link to the program of each day's events here
Printable PDF of the Program Guide here

Book Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

This book, containing many layers, could appeal to a wide array of readers, each for different reasons. The story focuses on the history of African-American Henrietta Lacks and her cells, while also detailing related progress in the field of science and medicine, the struggle of her family, and quest for knowledge which resulted in this book. Author Rebecca Skloot coherently connects the pieces of several stories to come up with this successful non-fiction piece which explores ethical issues in science and poverty.

The book jumps right in, reminding me of an action movie in which new ideas are constantly being brought to the table. Skloot keeps the reader’s attention, and is effectively able to interweave the strands of a story that she methodically gathered over several years. Comparisons she draws between the Lacks family's case and other pertinent health issues that have been brought to light over the years help the reader to become more informed about the medical field in general, giving this book much more of an appeal to the non-medical or non-scientist than previous books in the area may have had.

While I cannot say that I enjoyed this book, it was definitely more interesting than most of the non-fiction I encounter, and most people who I spoke with did recommend the book. Not only will it prompt your brain into action on several important issues, it will lead to thoughtful discussions with those who have read it.

Go Big Read.... the conversation continues

If you attended any of the events that were part of GO BIG READ this fall, you know a little about Michael Pollan's thesis that states, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

Here is a recent blog post to the Go Big Read blog by a Wisconsin farmer and UW CALS graduate. His post illustrates clearly that the ongoing, difficult debate about food and its production in our country is not over and certainly not decided. Have a read:

from a Wisconsin Farmer.

And the Water Library thinks this shows that GO BIG READ was a success, whether you are in the Pollan camp or not or somewhere in between. It's gotten people talking about a book... and food. And what's greater than that....

An intersection of EATING, BOOKS, and SCIENCE

Tonight is Michael Pollan's big talk at the Kohl Center at UW Madison as part of the Go Big Read program. It's happening at 7pm. There has been much news, resources and information out about the common book reading but AquaLog just stumble across a new favorite:

Center for Integrated Agricultural Sciences Go Big Read site.

I like this site because it accomplishes a lot simply.

This AquaLog writer is looking forward to volunteering tonight at the Kohl Center - hope to see you there.

Go Big Read: In Defense of Food available at Wisconsin's Water Library

The University of Wisconsin–Madison invites you to participate in its first common book program, Go Big Read. Initiated by Chancellor Carolyn “Biddy” Martin, the program will engage members of the campus community and beyond in a shared, academically focused reading experience. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to participate by reading the book, and taking part in classroom discussions and campus events.

The book, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto is available from Wisconsin's Water Library. If you are a UW-Madison faculty, student or staff member, please request through MadCat. If you are a Wisconsin resident, you can request this title by filling out the book request form.

For more information and events for Go Big Read, go to Schedule of Events.

UW-Madison announces book title for 'Go Big Read'

MADISON - This fall, the University of Wisconsin-Madison will launch "Go Big Read," a common reading program intended to engage students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members in a shared, academically focused reading experience.

From a short list compiled by a review committee from the nearly 400 nominated titles, Chancellor Biddy Martin has selected "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto," by Michael Pollan, as the book for the inaugural year.

"'In Defense of Food' had strong support from campus constituents," Martin says. "It raises issues of importance to people from a wide range of disciplines; it will engage people on and off the campus, and it will promote lively discussion. These are the purposes of the book project."

To read entire news release, go to UW-Madison news.