News

  • Mel Hammond portrait

Mel Hammond Uses Science to Shape Her Stories

WID’s new Writer in Residence, Mel Hammond, is passionate about capturing accurate scientific information and weaving it into YA books using language that feels credible and meaningful to young audiences. Her work shows how science can shape a story, deepen curiosity, and help young readers see the world in new ways.

  • WSF 2026 Theme logo depicting a magnifying glass examining the genome with a human looking on from the side. The entire motif is set on a galaxy to depict the vastness of the human experience.

Wisconsin Science Festival Explores What Makes Us Human

The Wisconsin Science Festival has officially kicked off its 2026 season with the unveiling of this year’s theme, Us. Turning the focus inward, this year’s feature explores the science of who we are, what it means to be human, and what we are capable of. Event host registration is now open, and the festival will take place October 15–25, 2026.

  • John Greendeer at the language table

Table talk with a multilingual twist

At UW’s Language Tables, students practice dozens of languages in a welcoming community outside of class. This video features WID's Laura Red Eagle from the Illuminating Discovery Hub's Indigenous Language table.

  • 2025 Wisconsin Science Festival Theme logo

Wisconsin Science Festival Rolls Out 2025 Feature: “Rock and Roll”

The 15th annual Wisconsin Science Festival, set to take place October 16–26, 2025, has announced its theme: Rock and Roll. “It’s a play on words—not just about sound and music, but also the geology that shapes Wisconsin, the physics of motion, and the creative energy that drives discovery,” says Sam Mulrooney, Director of the Wisconsin Science Festival. Host registration is now open for those interested in submitting an event for this year’s festival.

Up Next!

News

  • Mel Hammond portrait

Mel Hammond Uses Science to Shape Her Stories

WID’s new Writer in Residence, Mel Hammond, is passionate about capturing accurate scientific information and weaving it into YA books using language that feels credible and meaningful to young audiences. Her work shows how science can shape a story, deepen curiosity, and help young readers see the world in new ways.

  • WSF 2026 Theme logo depicting a magnifying glass examining the genome with a human looking on from the side. The entire motif is set on a galaxy to depict the vastness of the human experience.

Wisconsin Science Festival Explores What Makes Us Human

The Wisconsin Science Festival has officially kicked off its 2026 season with the unveiling of this year’s theme, Us. Turning the focus inward, this year’s feature explores the science of who we are, what it means to be human, and what we are capable of. Event host registration is now open, and the festival will take place October 15–25, 2026.

  • John Greendeer at the language table

Table talk with a multilingual twist

At UW’s Language Tables, students practice dozens of languages in a welcoming community outside of class. This video features WID's Laura Red Eagle from the Illuminating Discovery Hub's Indigenous Language table.

  • 2025 Wisconsin Science Festival Theme logo

Wisconsin Science Festival Rolls Out 2025 Feature: “Rock and Roll”

The 15th annual Wisconsin Science Festival, set to take place October 16–26, 2025, has announced its theme: Rock and Roll. “It’s a play on words—not just about sound and music, but also the geology that shapes Wisconsin, the physics of motion, and the creative energy that drives discovery,” says Sam Mulrooney, Director of the Wisconsin Science Festival. Host registration is now open for those interested in submitting an event for this year’s festival.

Ongoing Events

Sci-prov: The Show

October 21 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

The WhySci Variety Show

October 22 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm