UW-Stevens Point to host Wisconsin Science Festival events

The Wisconsin Science Festival welcomes people of all ages to discover the wonders of the sciences, arts and more. Events are planned statewide for the annual celebration from Oct. 14-20. Statewide and at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, events will be offered for people to celebrate curiosity about this year's festival feature, agriculture.

The week's activities begin with a campus lecture on food sovereignty by author Misty Cook in the Dreyfus University Center (DUC), 1015 Reserve St. The Olson Museum of Natural History and the Blocher Planetarium, both in the Science Building, 2001 Fourth Ave., will offer programming for three family events during the week. The office of Diversity and College Access and the Native American Center are also sponsoring events.

The following events are open to the public and free unless otherwise noted.

• Monday, Oct. 14, 4:30 p.m. "Food Sovereignty Talk," DUC Laird Room - Misty Cook, author of "Medicine Generations: Natural Native American Medicines Traditional to the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans Tribe,"will share knowledge medicines that have been told through stories in her family within the tribe.
• Tuesday, Oct. 15, 5:30 p.m. "Junior Science Bison Night," Olson Museum - Let's learn about bison together! Join museum education staff while we dig into the past to discover the history of this giant mammal and how they live today. Get an up-close look at our bison specimen. 
• Thursday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. "Bison Story Time," Olson Museum - Come join the museum staff for a fun, hands-on Story Time session all about the American bison. We will read stories, sing songs and make a small project to take home.
• Saturday, Oct. 19, 2 p.m. "Bring Them Home: Aiskótáhkapiyaaya," DUC Theater - This documentary chronicles a decades-long initiative by members of the Blackfoot Confederacy to bring wild buffalo (Blackfeet: iinnii) back to the Blackfeet Reservation. A thriving wild buffalo population would not only reconnect Blackfeet with a central part of their heritage, spirituality and identity, but would provide economic opportunities and healing for the community.
• Sunday, Oct. 20, 3-6 p.m. "Hinkigowi, We Feast Together," Central Wisconsin Environmental Station - Participants will not only deepen their understanding and appreciation of Native foods but also learn how to explore food from their own local communities to learn more about their own identities.
  
  This project received an Opportunity Grant to bring native and non-native communities to the table to share a meal completely sourced from Native food producers and harvesters. This event requires a paid registration.

• Sunday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m. "The Sun, Our Living Star," Blocher Planetarium - It is our nearest star and our planet's powerhouse, the source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life. You will experience the Sun's violent surface in this immersive full dome format planetarium show.
• All Week - Curated book feature on Native American agriculture, Bound to Happen Books, 1008 N. Main St., Stevens Point - The bookstore is partnering to showcase books about traditional and contemporary Native American foodways, agriculture, food sovereignty and more.

Visit www.uwsp.edu/wi-science-festival to learn more or search for events by zip code at www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/events/.