Pigeon Lake: Courses

This page describes the courses offered at Pigeon Lake Field Station during the summer. Information on registering for these classes can be found on the Student Information page.

Tuition costs vary, depending on your state of residence and whether you are earning undergraduate or graduate credits. The cost of room and board is dependent upon the length of your stay. See the Fees page for exact figures.

Registration for Pigeon Lake Courses will start in February 18, 2008 . Registration forms may be downloaded from this site (Student Info) or requested from the Pigeon Lake Office. Please check this web site on a regular basis for updated information and additional course options.

Biology May 2008
5/18-5/25 - PBIO 498/698:88, Field Herpetology
5/18-5/25 - PBIO 498/698:89, Field Methods in Mammalogy

Art Week IV: July 6-July 12, 2008
7/6-7/11 - ART 101:901 Introduction to Art

UWRF Education: July 27-August 1, 2008
7/27-8/1 - PTED 489/689:80, Art and Nature in Children's Literature
7/27-8/1 - PART 289/489:95 , Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt

UW Stout Courses: TBD
7/20-7/25 - ART 256 800A , Stonecarving
7/20-7/25 - MEDIA 412/612 800A , Nature Photography

PBIO 498/698:88 (Biology)
Field Herpetology
May 20-27, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad /grad cr.)
Dr. Josh Kapfer, Natural Resources Consulting, Inc.

An introductory survey of diversity of reptiles and amphibians combined with local field studies. Survey will involve lectures, specimen labs and readings to examine important aspects of anatomy, behavior and ecology in an evolutionary context. Field studies will emphasize identification and natural history of local species by employing a variety of field techniques and methods. .

PBIO 498/698:90 (Biology)
Field Ornithology
July 13-20, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad /grad cr.)
Sheldon Cooper, UW-Oshkosh

An intensive, highly field-oriented course intended to provide the practical "hands-on" experience essential to students interested in field biology. Field studies will emphasize identification and natural history of local avian species using a variety of field techniques. In addition to fieldwork, the course will involve lecture, specimen labs, and readings to examine important aspects of systematics, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, and conservation as they apply to birds.

PBIO 498/698:89 (Biology)
Field Methods in Mammalogy (From Bats to Bears )
May 18-25, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad /grad cr.)
Dr. Christopher Yahnke, UW-Stevens Point

This course is designed to simulate a RAP (Rapid Assessment Program), used to survey biodiversity in critically endangered ecosystems around the world. Students will learn a variety of techniques to survey mammalian biodiversity including direct observation, remote sensing camera traps, small mammal trapping, and techniques to census bats. Students will also learn how to identify small mammals using skulls, prepare museum study specimens, and recognize mammal sign. Lecture will focus on preparing and analyzing field data and the natural history of Wisconsin mammals.

PBIO 498/698:91 (Biology)
Field Botany
July 6-13 , 2008 (2 sem. ungrad /grad cr.)
Dr. Emmet Judziewicz, UW-Stevens Point

This very intensive field course will emphasize the sight recognition of 150-175 species of vascular plants (pteridophytes, conifers, monocots, and dicots) in a variety of natural communities. Dr. Judziewicz will provide a free copy of his new book (1 st author: Merel Black) "Wildflowers of Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest", with color pictures of 1,087 species ( http://www.uwsp.edu/english/cornerstone/ ) to each student. A concurrent emphasis will be the study of the plant communities themselves, including the hardwood and conifer forests, bogs, marshes, sedge meadows, and rock outcrops within an hour's drive of the field station.

PBIO 498/698:92 (Biology)
Field Parasitology
July 14 - 27, 2008 (3 sem. ungrad /grad cr.)
Dr. Shelly Michalski, UW-Oshkosh

Field Parasitology is an intensive 2-week course taught at the Pigeon Lake Field Station during mid to late summer. In this course we study parasite population and community structure, life cycles, and taxonomy. The course is designed to provide students with a broad exposure to the methods of collection, preservation, and identification of parasites, data collection and analysis, and presentation of results, and also to the ecology of infectious organisms. Every student does an independent research project, and compiles and presents their findings during an in-class scientific program. This course emphasizes invertebrate zoology and involves fieldwork, lecture, specimen labs, and readings. Field Parasitology is available for both graduate and undergraduate credit and is open to college students, medical professionals and biology teachers.

Prerequisit: 100 Level Biology
Cost: Tuition plus Room/Board $644, plus Course/Lab Fee $50

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PART 289/489/689:92 (Art Week III)
Kinetic Art
June 29-July 5, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
Joseph Haid , UW-Stout

In this workshop, we will examine the broad field of kinetic art in a survey format. The intention is to provide an inspiration and reference and influence of your own artworks and to encourage individual attention to specific areas of interest. To further stimulate the creative process, various artworks by prominent artist in the field will be highlighted, along with discussions, slides, film, and readings on various topics. Students will work towards a final collection of work to show at the end of the class.

Cost: Tuition plus Room/Board $276, plus Course/Lab Fee $20

Fear of Nature Viewer activated, mixed media with insects, found sound and and motion 16" x 20" x5" Woody Haid 2003

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PART 327:80, 798:80(Art Week I)
Advanced Studio Clay Workshop
June 15-June 21, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
Randy Johnston, UW-River Falls Art Week I

An intermediate to advanced workshop emphasizing firing, but also including hand-building, improvement in wheel-throwing technique, primitive firing, construction of simple gas fired kilns, and firing in salt and Raku methods. Additional work will be made during the workshop. Students will be required to supply their own clay. More information will be supplied upon receipt of student registration or upon request.
Prerequisite: Experience with clay, pottery or ceramics.

Cost: Tuition plus $276 Room/Board, Course/Lab Fee $75

Professor Randy Johnston in clay demonstration.

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PART 289/489/689:94 (Art Week II)
Clay Totems: An Exploration
June 22-June 28, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
Mark Lusardi, UW-River Falls

The workshop will go in depth into view on the exploring and developing new directions for ongoing work. We will use totems, an exploration into ceramic forms used to reflect both on the surrounding area a well as the individual. The course will explore handbuilding techniques that specialize with surface texture which will enhance and transform a unified body of work. We will then discuss the Raku firing process and how its effects will enhance and transform the work.

Cost: Tuition plus $276 Room/Board, Course/Lab Fee $75

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PART 329:80/798:81 (Art Week I),
PART 329:82/798:83 (Art Week II),
Studio Glassmaking
ART Week I June 15-June 21, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
ART Week II June 22-June 28, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
Michael Boyd ART WEEKS I & II; UW-River Falls

An opportunity to acquire beginning, intermediate, and advanced skills in working with molten glass. The workshop includes demonstrations, lectures, slides, video, and lots of "hands-on" practice in the art of glassmaking. Pigeon Lake Field Stations offers a unique opportunity to utilize the natural environment as a recourse for inspiration and design.

Cost: Tuition plus $276 Room/Board, Course/Lab Fee $75

Michael Boyd demonstration

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PART 289/489/689:91 (Art Week I )
PART 289/489/689:93 (Art Week II)
Sculptural and Decorative Steel
ART Week I June 15-June 21, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
ART Week II June 22-June 28, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
Ron Verdon, UW-Stout

This workshop focuses on the exploration of sculptural and decorative forms using hot and cold steel working techniques. Various hot forging (blacksmithing) techniques on gas and coal forges will be introduced. Hot forging, forge welding, fabrication and hot/cold steel techniques will allow participants to accomplish a wide range of designs. Presentations, slides and videos will inspire the creative development of work. A pre-workshop study will provide a foundation for this experience.

Cost: Tuition plus Room/Board $276, plus Course/Lab Fee $65

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PART 289/489/689:90 (Art Week II)
Drawing from Nature
June 22-28, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
Megan Vossler, UW-River Falls

This intermediate to advanced workshop emphasizes sensitive observation of the complex and fascinating natural environment. Students will fine-tune their observational drawing skills while studying the local plants, animals, insects and general landscape around Pigeon Lake. Sketchbooks will emphasize observational skills while large-format work will integrate more expressive interpretations. Drawing principles of texture, value, color and composition will be developed in conjunction with more experimental approaches such as mixed-media and collaborative drawing methods. Expect the unexpected! Students will be required to bring some of their own basic drawing supplies. More information will be provided after student registration. Prerequisite: Some observational drawing experience.

Cost: Tuition plus Room/Board $276, plus Course/Lab Fee $25

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PART 290/390/490/690:88 (Art Week I)
Creative Constructions
June 15-June 21, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
David Holmes, UW-Parkside

Course dedicated to collage and assemblage techniques, constructing visual form in the additive traditions. At the heart of the course will be the use of ready-mades (found objects - natural and man-made), transformed into distinctive works of art. The Pigeon Lake Field Station vicinity is a treasure trove for materials ready to be reassembled into unique visual creations. Field trips, slide lectures and demonstrations will enhance our understanding of the collage and assemblage experience.

Cost: Tuition plus Room/Board $276, Lab Fee $10

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ART 425/513 (Art Week I)
Perspectives in Art
June 15-June 21, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
Jennifer Terpstra, Art/Tim Gerber, Biology, UW-LaCrosse

This class examines both the art media/expression and the relevant biology/ecology behind the flora (plants, etc.), fauna (animals) and landscapes found at Pigeon Lake Field Station and surrounding areas. Participants will photograph, draw and paint in the field with a focus on living organisms, landscapes. Local field trips to different habitats (bogs, lakes, Apostle Islands) will inspire interpretive responses, rendered in pencil, pen & ink, watercolor and other media. A focus on organism structure will be featured to enhance the artistic rendering of subjects. Additional topics will be discussed which link art and biology or science in general (e.g., studies in color theory and physiology, global warming and artistic responses, and botanical illustration. Participants should bring their choice of drawing and/or painting materials (see list of recommended supplies), a digital camera (optional).

Cost: Tuition plus Room/Board $276
This course is registered through UW-LaCrosse.

Access registration information at the following website: http://www.uwlax.edu/records/

*On Line registration for this course begins April 11,2008.

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PART 290/390/490/690:89 (Art Week II)
Non-Traditional Painting
June 22-28, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
David Holmes, UW-Parkside

The course is dedicated to expanding ideas about the act of painting as a 21 st century visual force. A series of experimental techniques will be examined using among other things, the local landscape as a visual resource. Diverse and unique surfaces, pigments and applications will be explored. Field trips, demonstration and slide lectures will augment our inventive painterly investigations.

Cost: Tuition plus Room/Board $276, Lab Fee $10

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PTED 489/689:80
July 27-August 1
2 credits
Hilary Pollack, UW-River Falls

Art And Nature In Children's LiteratureStudents will use the diverse elements of nature available at Pigeon Lake as a context for exploring and creating children's literature that focuses on the natural environment. A variety of children's books will be examined and evaluated as students explore the relationship between text and artwork, range of media utilized, and accurate depiction of the natural world. Students will share their findings using best practice strategies such as literature circles, book-in-a-bag, and readers' theater productions. Using the current literature as models, students will choose from a variety of art materials (water colors, pastels, photography, prints, collage, etc.) to create and publish an original children's book by the end of the course.

Tuition plus $230 room/board, Lab Fee $20

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PART 289/489:95
July 27-August 1
2 credits
Dr. Steven Derfler, UW-River Falls

Art and Archaelogy of Ancient Egypt

Perhaps no other civilization has so thoroughly captured the hearts and minds of the western world as that of the Ancient Egyptians. As humankind emerged from its early 'adolescence' on the road to civilized 'adulthood', Ancient Egyptian culture and society was there to lead the way. This ancient land became the known world's leader in art and architecture, science and industry, religion and philosophy.

Tuition plus $230 room/board, Lab Fee $0

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ART 101:901
July 6-8
2 credits
Gloria Eslinger, UW-Superior

"Journey for the Soul, an Artful Experience"

The content will be guided journaling designed to enhance creativity. This course will include guided meditation, time to work in nature, sharing images and thought process, as well as using drawing, collage and painting for expression.

Registration through UW-Superior begins April 14, 2008.

Cost: Tuition plus Room/Board $230.

This course is registered through UW-Superior. Access registration information at the following web site: http://www.uwsuper.edu/CEEcredit . Additional information: Credit Outreach (715) 394-8033 or Marna Banks ( mbanks@uwsuper.edu )

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PART 289/489/689:99 (Art Week III)
Concrete Mosaic Sculpture
June 29-July 5, 2008 (2 sem. ungrad/grad cr.)
Wouterina de Raad, UW-River Falls

Participants will be creating a multi-layered metal form that will be covered with cement, after which students will learn the basic skills of mosaic tiling and grouting. There will be demonstrations on the various cementing and grouting techniques. Methods to color cement, pigments available and how to use them will be discussed. Students will also learn different mosaic patterning techniques, how to cut and break glass and ceramic tile and what materials and adhesives to use for in or outdoor projects. The statue will be completed with a final grout finish. Students need to make sure they have a vehicle large enough to bring their piece home. To view some of Riana's sculptures visit her web site at: http://www.concretemosaicsculpture.com

Cost: Tuition plus Room/Board $276,, plus Course/Lab Fee $75

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Pigeon Lake UW Stout Course
ART 256 800A Stonecarving
July 20-24

Instructor: Julie Dierauer, UW-Stout College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Art & Design
dierauerj@uwstout.edu

Students will study the elements and principles of design in the creation of small scale stone carvings using Dunnville Sandstone. The elements of design will emphasize linear, planar, form, volume, mass and texture in direct carving. Focus on the direct stone carving of the Inuit culture will be presented with historical significance from the world known Dunnville Cutstone Co. in Menomonie, Wisconsin. This stone is the same material used to build the Mable Tainter Memorial Theater and the Louis Smith Tainter House on the UW-Stout campus.

Registration through UW-Stout: Go to:
http://www.uwstout.edu/outreach/ces/pdf/regform-credit.pdf
Print a copy of the registration form, complete it and mail to the Outreach Services address found on the back of the form.
Additional information: ( http://www.uwstout.edu/outreach/ces/ ) or contact Sandy White at whites@uwstout.edu or (715) 232-2693.

Cost: Tuition plus $158 Room/Board, Lab Fee: None

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Pigeon Lake UW Stout Course (TBD)
Nature Photography
July 20-25

Instructor: Pete Schlosser, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Department of Apparel &
Communication Technologies, 715-232-5616 or schlosserp@uwstout.ed

Fundamentals of conventional and digital photography, camera techniques, composition, aesthetics, exposure and light in relation to animals, plants, water, weather and landscapes. Students will need a 35mm or digital camera. Students with laptops should bring them with Photoshop loaded on them if possible.

Cost: Tuition plus $230 Room/Board, Lab Fee: $20

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Pigeon Lake Field Station: 2008 Course Descriptions

Pigeon Lake Field Station:
2008 Course Descriptions