Call for Abstracts for UWs Symposium for Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The Universities of Wisconsin is accepting abstracts for its UWs Symposium for Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity. The deadline to submit an abstract is March 15.

This event will take place Saturday, May 3, and will highlight undergraduate research taking place across the state.

It would be fantastic to see freshwater research posters from the many students participating in Freshwater Collaborative-funded projects.

Learn more and submit an abstract

AWRA Event Offers Students Career Panel, Networking Opportunities

One of the most powerful educational experiences for students is to attend or present at a professional conference. The Wisconsin chapter of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) prides itself on being student friendly. Its size makes it an ideal place for students to meet water professionals.

“Our AWRA conference is special,” says Vy Le, a PhD student at UW-Madison who presented her research at the 2024 conference. “The scientific community plus the regulators and policy makers and community stakeholders are all in one place.”

AWRA talks
More than 85 talks and posters help attendees deepen their knowledge about freshwater research and policy.

Le, who received one of four student presentation awards sponsored by the Freshwater Collaborative, says the conference provided her an opportunity to expand her professional network and gain feedback on her research.

This year’s event takes place April 10-11 at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Student registrations are discounted and include all the talks from industry professionals, state and federal agencies, and educators and students. Topics include regional groundwater and surface water trends, water regulations, and cutting-edge research on groundwater and surface water interactions, water quality, and agriculture and urban land use impacts.

Students can participate in a free lunch and career workshop on Friday, April 11. The event will include a panel of water resources professionals representing a range of career options. In addition, Freshwater Collaborative Executive Director Marissa Jablonski will share undergraduate opportunities for research and hands-on coursework across the state.

AWRA is recruiting four volunteer student assistants to help with conference setup, run projectors, and do other tasks at the annual meeting. Volunteers receive free registration. If you are interested in a volunteer position, select that option on the registration form. Registration fees will be refunded for those selected. A board member will follow up with interested volunteers to fill the four positions.

For conference details and to register, visit https://www.wisconsinawra.org/2025-annual-meeting.html.

Environmental Science Day Inspires Next Generation of Freshwater Scientists

UW-Eau Claire’s Environmental Science Day brings together high school students, teachers, and university faculty and students for a day of freshwater exploration and discovery.

“Our first Environmental Science Day [in May 2024] was a huge success,” says Sarah Vitale, an associate professor who organized the event. “One of our goals was to have broad representation in environmental and water science so the students could envision a variety of pathways, including STEM fields, humanities, and social sciences.”

The second annual event will take place May 2. Vitale plans to build upon last year’s success. The inaugural event drew 40 high school students and four teachers from Elk Mound and Memorial High Schools.

Students saw the university’s lab, classroom, and field facilities and interacted with UW-Eau Claire faculty, staff and undergraduate students. Alaina Steinmetz, who graduated from UW-Eau Claire in May 2024, was an integral part of planning the event. She helped lead a team of undergraduates who determined how to create a positive flow of fun activities while also teaching attendees important skills.

“Showing the attendees how the environment and science is a broad world that has a variety of paths was the main goal we all strived to achieve,” Steinmetz says.

A program fair featured information from multiple departments to demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of environmental work. Eight undergraduate students showcased their research posters, providing a glimpse into undergraduate research opportunities.

Participants attended classes in oceanography, radiation pollution and health, and environmental conservation, giving them insight into what university-level coursework entails. Interactive experiences brought scientific concepts to life. They included a liquid nitrogen demonstration, a greenhouse tour, a drone demonstration, a radiation Geiger counter activity, and a planetarium show.

High school students also learned about freshwater summer program options, including the Freshwater Science Summer Field Experience for high school juniors. They received information about the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, which provides funding for the summer field experience and the Environmental Science Day.

Alaina Steinmetz, who graduated in May, gained valuable job skills while helping to organize the Environmental Science Day.

For Steinmetz, helping to organize the science fair provided an opportunity to work with a variety of clubs and students. She gained skills she now uses as an environmental scientist with the consulting firm Foth.

“I work across various business units and markets for my company. Being able to collaborate and make sure we are all on the same page makes the work flow much easier,” she says. “Communication and collaboration are a huge part of the workforce, and working events helped prepare me for a variety of real-life situations.”

Beyond benefiting students, the Environmental Science Day strengthened connections among high school teachers and UW-Eau Claire faculty. The participating teachers gained new ideas for implementing environmental science activities in their classrooms. And the connections laid the groundwork for future collaborations and potential curriculum development.

“The students loved being on campus and learning about environmental science programs,” Vitale says. “We hope these experiences will encourage the participating students to consider going into the freshwater/environmental science workforce.”

If you are an educator interested in participating in the 2025 Environmental Science Day, contact Sarah Vitale at VITALESA@uwec.edu.

UW-Green Bay Internship Helps Undergrad Choose a Career Path

Gaining hands-on experiences helped Sam, a biology major at UW-Green Bay, determine her career path. During her freshwater science internship with the Stream Team, Sam participated in water monitoring and lab analysis, and learned how she could play a role in improving the environment.

Another one of Sam’s hands-on experiences at UW-Green Bay involved serving as the coordinator for the High School Freshwater Summer Scholars Program, which gave her a leadership role working with high school students. The program is one of the K-12 outreach efforts supported by Educators and Students Rise to Freshwater Challenges, which UW-Green Bay developed with funding from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin.

Feb. 18 Great Lakes Freshwater Symposium: Monitoring and Controlling Invasive Species in the Great Lakes

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, Noon to 1 p.m. (Central)

What do sea lamprey, zebra and quagga mussels, round goby, and phragmites all have in common? They have invaded the Great Lakes and are changing the entire ecosystem.

Join us for a webinar that highlights some of the current research around monitoring and controlling invasive species in the Great Lakes.

Panelists will include: 

  • Harvey Bootsma, Associate Dean & Professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences
  • Janice Gilbert, Executive Director, Invasive Phragmites Control Centre, Ontario
  • Sara Good, Professor of Genetics and Genomics, University of Winnipeg
  • Steve Pothoven, Fishery Biologist, NOAA GLERL Lake Michigan Field Station, Michigan

REGISTER

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Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin State Legislative Funding Request for Proposals #4

Funding: New Innovative Grant Projects or Ongoing/Renewal of Programs (Programmatic funding) focusing on Student Learning Opportunities, Academic Program Development, Collaborative Research and Career Pathways 

RFP Release: February 3, 2025
Proposal Submission Deadline: April 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Notifications: No later than June 30, 2025.
Funding Distribution Begins: July 1, 2025.

Introduction 

The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is a statewide initiative of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. We are a collaborative network that leverages the strengths of each university to address water challenges and train Wisconsin’s future water workforce. The Wisconsin State Legislature has awarded the Freshwater Collaborative $5 million per biennial budget to support freshwater initiatives at the Universities of Wisconsin. These initiatives must align with the Freshwater Collaborative’s goals and legislative priorities. 

The Freshwater Collaborative has a total of $2 million available per year ($4 million per biennium) to support this round of proposals, contingent on continuing available legislative funds. Funds will be distributed internally using Fund 113.  

This RFP will consider two types of funding: Innovative Grant Funding and Programmatic Funding.

While all proposals will be considered, preference will be given to collaborative, multicampus projects that engage undergraduate students in hands-on courses, research, field and lab experiences, and internships that address Wisconsin’s Grand Water Challenges. Preference also will be given to projects that expand student enrollment at the Universities of Wisconsin.

All materials for RFP #4 must be submitted electronically by April 1, 2025, using the submission button at the bottom of this page.

For proposals that involve multiple universities, the lead PI is responsible for coordinating and submitting ONE joint proposal on behalf of all project partners, with secondary PIs listed for all other universities involved. The lead PI will serve as the primary contact for the Freshwater Collaborative for questions and reporting/evaluation. Secondary PIs will be responsible for managing funds allocated to their respective campuses. Each of the collaborating institution’s contributions/involvement must be clearly described in the Project Narrative. 

Proposals must be submitted following your institution’s policy for proposal submissions. In the case of comprehensive universities, this means working with your institution’s Office of Sponsored Programs. 


Review the Full State Legislative Funding Request for Proposals #4 Before Submitting Your Proposal

Refer to RFP FAQs. Please direct additional questions to rfp-questions@uwm.edu.

The proposal must include the following items for each proposed project:

  • Project Narrative: Describes how the proposal supports your university’s long-term vision of engagement in the Freshwater Collaborative and statewide collaborations in water. Should describe how this proposal connects to other currently funded and/or proposed Freshwater Collaborative-funded projects at your institution or across the state. You will be asked to provide project goals, timeline, and impact information. Innovative Grant Funding timeline can be up to two years. Programmatic Funding timeline can be up to six years.
  • Budget: A budget for each institution must be included with the joint proposal submitted by the lead PI (e.g., if three universities are participating in the program or course, the single joint proposal must include three separate budgets). You will upload budgets to your online submission form.
  • Endorsement Page: Obtain the signatures of the PI and collaborators, applicant’s supervisor or department chair, steering committee members, and provosts and/or authorized officials. To ensure accurate financial and academic methods proposed are feasible, we ask that your sponsored programs/financial/academic representative who would support/oversee the administrative management of this project review and sign your proposal.
    • Endorsement Page for UW-Madison: Applicant must use the WISPER electronic routing application to secure department and dean/director/division-level authorizations. Division- authorized WISPER records should be routed to WISPER user BOYCE, MELISSA ANN in department 349600. Please set the “submission method” field in the WISPER record to “internal routing only.” The record does not need to be routed through the Research and Sponsored Programs office.
    • Endorsement Page for UW-Milwaukee: Applicants do not need to complete a WISPER record. Work to secure appropriate department and dean/director/division-level authorizations.
  • Other supporting documents such as letters of support, brochures, or program information. These are optional but may strengthen the proposal submission.


BEGIN ONLINE APPLICATION

Summer Internship and Laborer Opportunities with Veolia Milwaukee

Join the Freshwater Collaborative and Veolia Milwaukee on Feb. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. for an info session on summer internships and laborer positions for 2025. Veolia is contracted by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) to operate and maintain two of the largest wastewater reclamation facilities in Wisconsin: Jones Island and South Shore.

Veolia Milwaukee is hiring six summer interns to work in the areas of wastewater plant operations, asset management, capital projects, wastewater collection/conveyance, or procurement. The pay rate for these internships is $20 per hour.

The company is also hiring summer laborers to help maintain facilities. The pay rate for these positions is $17.50–$18 per hour.

Interviews will take place early February and offers made during the interview or shortly after. Positions begin late May and will take place primarily in the Milwaukee metro area.

The recorded info session is below. Hiring managers provide the details of each position. Those interested should apply to an internship or laborer position on the Veolia website (https://careers.veolianorthamerica.com/job_search/.) and then follow up with an email to the hiring manager using the contact information below.


Internships Opportunities

Wastewater Operations Summer Internship

Two positions for students (Junior/Senior) interested in the wastewater operation field. One position is in Milwaukee and the other is in Oak Creek, WI.

  • Exposure to daily process analysis and decision making
  • Sample collection
  • Experience lab procedures
  • Data analysis

At the end of the internship, you will give a small presentation on the data you collected and the conclusions that can be drawn from the data.

Contact: Brett Kelly, Operations Director, brett.kelly@veolia.com

Asset Management Summer Internship

One position for a student (Junior/Senior) interested in the management and maintenance of process equipment, resources, and programs.

  • Assist the asset management department with the execution of strategies for the planning, operation, maintenance, and renewal of equipment.
  • Ability to understand and use reference materials (O&M manuals, schematics, CMMS data, etc.)
  • Assist with research of maintenance and purchasing history to apply critical thinking and problem solving in support of planning.
  • Spends approximately ~50% in office environment and 50% in field environment.

Contact: Sam Meyer, Director of Asset Management, sam.meyer@veolia.com

Capital Projects Summer Internship

One position for a student (Junior/Senior) interested in the repair/replacement of all equipment at the wastewater treatment facilities.

  • Assist capital department staff in the development of Material Capital Repair or Replacement Projects (MCRR)
  • Ability to understand and use reference materials (O&M manuals, schematics, CMMS data, etc.)
  • Assist with MCRR project documentation through photographs and/or other written correspondence.
  • Spends approximately ~50% in office environment and 50% in field environment

Contact: Josh Pietryga, Capital Projects Coordinator, joshua.pietryga@veolia.com

Wastewater Collection/Conveyance Summer Internship

One position for a student (Junior/Senior) interested in assisting the maintenance and operations of wastewater collection/conveyance systems, including the deep tunnel system.

  • Assist the conveyance department staff in the research/development of O&M repairs and/or replacements of critical equipment
  • Ability to understand and use reference materials (O&M manuals, schematics, CMMS data, etc.)
  • Assist with project documentation through photographs and/or other written correspondence. 
  • Spends approximately ~50% in office environment and 50% in field environment

Contact: Choo Teoh, Asst. GM/Conveyance System Manager, choo.teoh@veolia.com

Procurement Summer Internship

One position for a student (Junior/Senior status preferred) interested in various and procurement and purchasing functions.

  • Project manage various supplier Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quote (RFQ) activities to maximize purchase acquisition costs for various commodities
  • Enhance procurement department activities through improved efficiencies of established processes
  • Assist with procurement department documentation and establishment of processes
  • Opportunity to learn ERP / Asset Management functions, including management of specific areas
  • Efficiency in managing spreadsheets and some practical use in ERP systems is preferred
  • Primary role will be based out of Milwaukee at Jones Island

Contact: Jim Peters, Procurement Manager, james.peters@veolia.com

Summer Laborer Positions

Veolia will hire up to 15 summer laborers for 2025. This position includes a variety of routine work, basic grounds maintenance, tank washing and light custodial work to maintain the appearance of the facilities.

  • Work Hours:  Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
  • May 28, 2025 – Fall semester start date
  • Wages: $17.50 – $18.00 (returning summer laborers)

Student Requirements

  • Must pass a substance abuse test
  • Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver’s license
  • Candidates interested in the wastewater treatment industry preferred
  • Must enjoy working outdoors
  • Must be able to perform and complete tasks with minimal supervision

Email resume to tracy.davis-wright@veolia.com