view past presentations on YouTube

December 7th, 2023   Darkness as a resource: discovery begins when we TURN OUT THE LIGHTS!
Gretchen Gerrish, UW-Madison Center for Limnology, Director Trout Lake Station

Dr. Gerrish is an Evolutionary Ecologist who works in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. She will be discussing her work with bioluminescent ostracods and their use of light.

Life on Earth (Life that Glows): Documentary featuring bioluminescence in general and some cool video of the ostracods on Amazon Prime and Curiosity Stream!  

Sparkling Waters: Recent Science article with some cool videos and a great pictograph of the ostracods and the chemical light production. 

Watch ‘Sea Fireflies’ Make Underwater Fireworks as They Seek Mates: ​Recent New York Times article with videos!
November 2nd, 2023   A Question of Sleep: Sleep Apnea and Other Sleep-Related Issues
Mary Kay Stevenson, Sleep Medicine Nurse Practitioner, Marshfield Medical Center 
Join the discussion of sleep apnea and other sleep-related health issues with Mary Stevenson, a sleep medicine nurse practitioner at Marshfield Medical Center – Minocqua. Mary received her MS in Nursing from UW- Eau Claire and her BS in Nursing from UW-Oshkosh.
October 5th, 2023   Pollutants, Parasites, and You!
Jessica Hua, University of Wisconsin Madison
Dr. Jessica Hua is an Associate Professor in the department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at UW-Madison. The Hua lab utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to look at the ecological and evolutionary effects of pollutants on amphibians in freshwater and evaluate the role of outreach and citizen science in shaping community perception and understanding of science.

​Dr. Hua will talk about the complex effects of pollutants on amphibians and how the lab uses art, children’s books, and graphic novels to communicate and engage the public in amphibian research. 
May 4th, 2023   Neuroplasticity: The Amazing Changing Brain Across the Lifespan
Bernadette Gillick, University of Wisconsin Madison
Bernadette Gillick is a Neuroscientist and Pediatric Physical Therapist. She is an associate professor at UW-Madison, Director of Research at the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, and the Director of the Waisman Center Pediatric Neuromodulation. 

Dr. Gillick will discuss the ability of the brain to change and respond to injury and stress throughout life.
April 6th, 2023   A River Otter Runs Through It
Lydai Margenau, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
​Lydia Margenau is a wildlife population dynamics and modeling research scientist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In her career, she has monitored wildlife populations including furbearers, ungulates, and carnivores. 

Lydia will discuss the status of river otter in Wisconsin and successful river otter reintroductions throughout the Midwest.
March 2nd, 2023   Astronomy
Jim Head, Northwoods Explorers Club and NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador
After a career in computers, Jim Head has retired and now runs the Northwoods Explorers Club where he shares his passion for astronomy. Jim is also a Solar System Ambassador for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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Jim will discusses stars, celestial events, the space race (maybe not what you think!), and his work advancing science education.
February 2nd, 2023   Field Notes: Adventures at UW Field Stations
Scott Bowe, Director Kemp Natural Resources Station and Gretchen Gerrish, Director Trout Lake Station
Science on Tap Minocqua celebrates 10 years this month! To celebrate, we are going back to the very beginning. The first talk 10 years ago featured the then-directors of Kemp Natural Resources Station and Trout Lake Station. A lot has changed in 10 years and much has stayed the same! The current directors of Kemp and Trout Lake Stations are here to share what field stations are, some of the current research, and activities you can get involved in!
January 5th, 2023   The Clean Water Act: 50 Years of Success in Wisconsin
Bob Martini, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Retired
Bob is now retired from the Wisconsin DNR after a 32-year career working as the statewide rivers’ protection coordinator. He continues to work on many education and environmental organization boards, including Wisconsin’s Greenfire and the Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association. Bob worked with, and against, politicians, business owners and community members to clean up rivers, mitigate groundwater contamination and removing dams. In 2014 he received a career achievement award from the North American River Management Society for a lifetime of work that he says “just seemed like fun”. 
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​Bob will discuss the successful efforts to clean up the Wisconsin River and other waterways.