Madison Reporter

Science on the Square combined with the Madison Night Market on October 17, creating an engaging evening of hands-on science and local vendors in downtown Madison. This event was part of the Wisconsin Science Festival, which took place from October 14 to 20 and included both in-person and virtual events across the state. Governor Tony Evers officially declared this period as "Wisconsin Science Week," during which more than 200 unique events were held in over 45 counties throughout Wisconsin.

Graduate student Rich Botzoc from Professor Song Jin’s chemistry lab showcased hybrid halide perovskite materials. Dennis Halterman, a USDA scientist and UW–Madison research associate professor in plant pathology, interacted with attendees while preparing potato cars for a derby track.

A banner for the Wisconsin Science Festival was prominently displayed at the event along State Street. UW outreach program manager Haddie McLean and graduate student Alicia Mand conducted various science experiments involving frozen balloons, air cannons, static energy, and a lid popping off a frozen container.

Andy Hamernik, another USDA scientist with ties to UW–Madison's departments of horticulture plus plant and agroecosystem sciences, discussed potatoes with visitors. Graduate student Samuel A. Davison and Kallysa Taylor from the Wisconsin Energy Institute guided children through a dice game called “which farm field will survive the caterpillar.”

Miette Hennesy and Madeline Bondy, both third-year PhD students in plant pathology, engaged children in a game called “what’s eating my plants,” encouraging them to toss fuzzy plant “spores” through small openings. Additionally, graduate student Alicia Mand performed Wonders of Physics shows using creative props like toilet paper rolls and leaf blowers.