During a special event on Thursday, Apr. 17 at the Morgridge Institute, the Community Engagement Team welcomed a group of enthusiastic, science-curious donors and supporters to take a closer look at how the team sparks curiosity in communities across Wisconsin and beyond.
“The Wisconsin Idea is all about ensuring our work enriches the lives of people everywhere,” says Community Engagement Director Wes Marner. “Our goal is to create experiences that ignite a passion for science and to provide that spark to people throughout Wisconsin.”
Guests interacted with the Engagement Team at exploration stations to learn about how they inspire the next generation of scientific minds through hands-on programs, empower educators with accessible resources, support early-career researchers on their career paths, and translate complex science for broad communities.
“I really wasn’t sure what the evening was going to be about and felt that learning more about your outreach to communities was perfect,” says one supporter. “All the staff were so enthusiastic about their mission.”
Another attendee adds: “It opened my eyes to an aspect of work that I wasn’t aware of.”
Through thoughtful questions and engaging conversations, attendees developed a stronger understanding of how science engagement serves society by fostering curiosity and understanding with the public.
“I tried to challenge with questions, and I believe the staff met and exceeded my queries,” another guest says. “Anything you do to promote the Wisconsin Idea to the state and the world is investment in our shared future.”
View photos of the event below. Credit: Sharon Vanorny Photography.
The Community Engagement Team (L to R: Felipe Rosas Gomez, Jerrod Buckner, Ellen Dobson, Wes Marner, Jacques Nieto, Val Blair, Natasha Strydhorst) 
Wes Marner offers opening remarks on how the team approaches science education as a discipline with specific measurable outcomes, while inspiring awe and wonder. 
Morgridge donors and supporters mingle with Morgridge staff, building excitement before the activities begin. 
Jacques Nieto prepares the "Translation Station" with a fruit fly activity to provide an example of how we make some of the most complex science
in the world digestible
to our communities. 
Attendees discuss what "community engagement" means, while taking a hands-on approach to learning about gravity wells and black holes. 
Felipe Rosas Gomez and Natasha Strydhorst initiate a conversation about science and society. 
Jerrod Buckner coaches attendees on how to be more confident in their identities as scientists and science ambassadors while performing a stem cell experiment. 
Ellen Dobson guides participants as they choose their own adventure through a career path in STEM. 
Val Blair shares educator testimonials to demonstrate the impact of our partnership with
UW–Madison to make science accessible in our schools and public communities. 
Morgridge CEO Brad Schwartz and Donor Engagement Manager Rebecca Sikes share their passion to build meaningful connections with our supporters to further the institute's mission. 