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Darwin Day at the Thomas A. Greene Geological Museum 

February 15 @ 10:00 am 3:00 pm

When: Saturday, February 15th, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

Where: 3209 N Maryland Ave, Lapham Hall, Milwaukee, WI, 53211 

Darwin Day is a community science outreach event celebrating the life and times of one of the most brilliant and influential Victorian naturalists, Charles R. Darwin. Darwin was an avid geologist and biologist who most famously developed the theory of natural selection—one of the driving mechanisms behind biological evolution—published in his seminal work: On the Origin of Species. Today, this theory forms the foundation for many of our natural sciences. Darwin Day is a national celebration of Darwin’s scientific legacy typically held on (or near) his birthday. 

Darwin Day is a free event and open to guests of all ages. Many wonderful geological and biological specimens will be available to observe, with volunteers on hand to explain their fascinating histories. Learning tables focusing on the natural history of Wisconsin and the contributions of Thomas A. Greene to our understanding of local Wisconsin geology will be spread throughout Lapham Hall, with many rare and beautiful samples on display from the Thomas A. Greene geological collection. Other activities will be available throughout the day, including presentations by UWM scientists and guest speakers, a scavenger hunt, activities for kids, and booths featuring many community organizations. There’s something for everyone, so bring the family and have a full day of science fun! See below for our list of featured event speakers, special activities, and community partners: 

  • [11:00 AM] Underworld Wonders: Exploring Cave and Climate Connections (great for kids!
    Mel Reusche  |  Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey 
  • [12:30 PM] Setting the Stage for Life: How the Universe Created the Conditions for Evolution on Earth
    Dr. Michelle Thaller  |  NASA astrophysicist 
  • [2:00 PM] Museum Collections and the History of Life 
    Dr. Jonathan Hendricks  |  Milwaukee Public Museum 

Special Activities: 

  • Scavenger Hunt  
    [all day; find the specified specimens throughout the event to win a cool prize!] 
  • T. A. Greene’s Glowing Cavern  
    [all day; come see fantastic glowing fluorescent minerals!] 
  • Touch Room  
    [all day; feel nature under your fingers with real specimens you can actually touch!] 
  • How Animals Defend Themselves  
    [all day; experience live animals and learn how Earth’s organisms defend themselves from predators!] 
  • Student Research Discussion  
    [10:30 AM – 2:30 AM; hear our UWM student researchers throughout the day discuss their amazing scientific research!] 
  • Student Research Poster Display 
    [all day; check out the past research of UWM’s student researchers and learn what’s happening on campus!] 
  • Children’s Activities Hall  
    [all day; Let your kids have a ball with coloring, jewelry making, button stamping, and many other fun activities!] 
  • Star Lab Portable Planetarium Show  
    [10:00 AM – 2:30 PM; see the stars with this awesome planetarium show hosted every thirty minutes by the Wehr Nature Center] 

Community Partners: 

We want to thank all the community organizations that help Darwin Day come together. Each of these partners will be present at the event. Stop by and say hi! 

  • Manfred Olson Planetarium 
  • Mequon Nature Preserve 
  • Wisconsin Geological Society 
  • Kettle Moraine Geological Society 
  • Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey 
  • CoffeeShop Astrophysics 
  • Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center 
  • Weis Earth Science Museum 
  • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center 
  • Wehr Nature Center 
  • Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
  • Wisconsin Master Naturalist

Planning Your Day: 

For location and parking information, please follow the link below: 

Plan Your Visit

Thanks, and we hope to see you there! 

For more information, please contact: 
Chase Shelburne: shelbur2@uwm.edu 
Rob Graziano: graziano@uwm.edu 

3209 N Maryland Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53211
+ Google Map

 

UWM Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge in Milwaukee that we are on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk and Menominee homeland along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida and Mohican nations remain present.   |   To learn more, visit the Electa Quinney Institute website.