Cool Science Images, Contest 2013

Share your work or share your passionate interest in science by contributing an entry to the Why Files’ Cool Science Images contest.

The contest is open to UW-Madison students, faculty and staff and can depict objects or phenomena from any discipline.

Visit the site for details about how to enter (and complete an entry form). Entries must have been captured during 2012 and will be judged on their "aesthetic and informational qualities".The deadline for entries is February 28, 2013.

Winners will be announced mid-March and receive gift certificates, among other prizes, and the honor of having their images posted to the Why Files site. All qualified entries will also be exhibited during the 2013 Wisconsin Science Festival.

For inspiration, take a look at the winners and finalists from last year’s contest.

2012 Winner: Calcite, by Pupa Gilbert (pictured above, University Communications, slide-show).

First Robin of Spring?

In the depths of winter, many of us will eagerly seek any indication that spring will arrive, to note the promise of seasonal change.  Others will record that change systematically to inform our understanding of this planet and its climate.  And, while my grandmother once maintained an annual desk diary of her observations, and would solicit my own, our online networks facilitate greater collaboration, locally and nationally. 

Discover your inner phenologist with the following sites.  Find inspiration from the Arboretum’s Naturalist’s Notes and the Cooperative Extension’s Wildlife Phenology Calendar (available from the Learning Store).

And, do consult with your Steenbock librarians for assistance using the library catalog to find books and more from our collections. 

Project Budburst

USA National Phenology Network

Wisconsin Phenological Society

ASM Bus Pass, Spring 2013

PLEASE NOTE: The Union South Lobby Box Office and the Student Activity Center are the pick-up sites for the ASM Student pass this spring semester 2013.

Distribution for the ASM spring pass began on Monday, January 14 at Union South and the Student Activity Center, (333 East Campus Mall, 4th Floor). With the first day of classes, January 22, and running through February 1, 2013, the hours of distribution will be from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM at both locations.

After February 1, the StudentPrint office will be the only location from which to obtain a new or replacement bus pass. The StudentPrint office is located on the 3rd floor of the Student Activity Center. Visit its website to confirm hours of operation.

While most UW students qualify for an ASM Bus Pass, there are some conditions. See the ASM FAQ page to learn more. Do note that you must have a valid WisCard with you and be registered for spring semester classes before you can pick up your pass. If you have a brand new WisCard, you may need to wait overnight before your records are completely updated.

Connect Globally with Go Big Read

What will be the next big read?!

The Go Big Read selection committee is now accepting your recommendations.

The theme for 2013-2014 will be that of "global connections".

What have you read lately that evokes that theme?
An ideal book for this program (fiction, too) will possess the following qualities:

• Be readable (relevant, engaging, and well-written)
• Appeal to individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Encompass sufficient depth and scope to generate discussions from different points of view
• Be conducive to teaching and learning with opportunities for integration into academic programs
• Lend itself to a variety of activities and programming (maybe even an author visit!)

The deadline for submitting a recommendation is February 1, 2013.

The Go Big Read Review Committee will sift through the nominations on behalf of the Chancellor who will then propose the final selection.

Suggest your book (fiction or nonfiction) here.

Read the Press Release

Graduate Support Series, 2013

UW-Madison campus libraries offer a series of free workshops for graduate students. Each workshop is designed as a "stand-alone" presentation; students can choose to attend any number of these workshops, in any combination.

Visit the library workshop site or view the flyer (PDF) for the listing of workshops in the series. From "Finding External Funding..." to "Data Management Planning"--there is something for you.

Do note date, time and library location. (Click here to view Steenbock Library offerings in the series).

Registration is recommended; register with the GSC (GraduateStudent Collaborative).

Library Workshops, 2013

Steenbock Library offers free drop-in workshops for students and staff!

Come learn about library resources and services that can make your work easier. We offer a variety of workshops to satisfy many interests, whether that is to harness a citation management product, to manage your research data, or to search our catalogs and databases more effectively.

Plan to attend any of the workshops on the current spring schedule (printable PDF). If you cannot attend one of these particular workshops, we can arrange individual or small group sessions. Send us your request using our online form.  See also the campus libraries’ workshop calendar for workshop opportunities at all campus library locations.

All workshops are free and include hands-on time to explore the resource.  Save for choices within the "Graduate Support Series", reservations are not necessary for most workshops.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Call for Course Reserves, Spring 2013

Calling all course materials!  Ensure that your reserve materials are available, in time, for the first day of class, by submitting a request today (or as soon as possible this early January).

Materials will be processed in the order in which they are received.

For more information, visit the Steenbock Course Reserves page, email, or complete an online request form.