Outreach Program Manager
College of Letters & Science | Department of Physics
Hometown: Menomonie, WI
Haddie is a UW–Madison alum with a B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. She joined the Department of Physics in August 2021 after a 20+ year career as a meteorologist at WISC-TV in Madison. As The Wonders of Physics program manager, Haddie develops and presents traveling physics shows to students and community groups all around the state. The shows are fun and engaging with the hope of inspiring the next generation of scientists.
The Wonders of Physics workshops are for groups of 20-30. Each workshop will have a small fee to cover materials needed for take home item.
If you are interested in visiting campus for a Wonders of Physics Workshop field trip, visit the Cross Campus Science Field Trips page.
Talks:
The Wonders of Physics
An educational and engaging physics show that comes to you! Demonstrations are customized to any age group and help explain the world around us. Our goal is to share our love of physics and inspire the next generation of scientists.
Wonders of Physics WORKSHOP (Dane County only): Physics of Sound - How do our ears hear sound?
Grades K-8. Observe and engage with physics demonstrations related to sound and resonances. Make your own musical instrument to take home (K-3 construct a cardboard box guitar and 4-8 construct a plastic straw pan flute). NGSS 1-PS4-1
Wonders of Physics WORKSHOP (Dane County only): Physics of Light - Why is the Sky Blue?
Grades K-8. Observe and engage with physics demonstrations related to light interactions with matter. Make your own disappearing picture to take home. NGSS 1-PS4-3, 4-PS4-2, MS-PS4-2
Wonders of Physics WORKSHOP (Dane County only): Quantum Physics
Grades K-8. Quantum is a newer field of study in the realm of physics. Quantum physics describes how some objects in the universe act in a way that classical physics cannot explain. We have two activities available for students to explore the quantum properties of light:
- Art & Polarization–for grades K-8–In this experiment, students will observe how light has properties of both waves and particles. Make your own color-changing art to take home.
- NGSS 1-PS4-2, MS-PS4-2
- Electron Transitions–for grades 5-8–In this activity, you will shine three different light sources onto glow-in-the-dark stars. You’ll then determine if the light source affects how brightly the stars shine and learn how light is absorbed and emitted.
- NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS4-2
Wonders of Physics WORKSHOP (Dane County only): Physics of Air - How do tornadoes form?
Grades 3-8. Observe and engage with physics demonstrations related to air pressure and how air moves. Make your own vortex cannon to take home. NGSS 3-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-5
Wonders of Physics WORKSHOP (Dane County only): Physics of Climate Change
Grades 6-8. Conduct an experiment to explore the albedo effect. Discuss how the physics of light and heat are crucial to understanding climate change. Make a UV bead bracelet to take home. NGSS MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6, MS-ESS3-5