Good Ideas Conference - 39th Annual
Tuesday-Thursday | January 9-11, 2024
UWSP Wausau Campus and Live Online!
Additional Interests, Adult Fine Arts, Lectures, Live Training and Classes, Retirement Learning, See Stevens Point Offerings, See Wausau Offerings
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Good Ideas Conference 
Tuesday-Thursday | January 9-11, 2024​
UWSP Wausau Campus in-person or online.
You choose how to attend!

Registration is Closed! Check back for the 2025 dates!​

Details


A University Experience for Adults! Join a group of adult lifelong learners for an enriching three-day conference.  A January thaw for your mind and spirit. 

Attendance Options

Offered in-person or select virtual options. You choose how to attend!

​​​Scholarships

Scholarships are available. Please contact Mara Prausa at mprausa@uwsp.edu for more information.

​Registration Information

​
  • Early Bird: $59 ​(December 1-10)
  • Regular: $69
  • LIFE member: $59

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2024 Registration is closed.​

​For those who prefer to mail in their registration, please follow the instructions below:


Complete the form above and mail to:

Continuing Education, UW-Stevens Point 
2100 Main St. Rm 032 Old Main 
Stevens Point, WI 54481

For additional information or assistance with registration, please email Customer Service at uwspceweb@uwsp.edu or call 715-346-3838.

Recorded Classes

All  hybrid class sessions will be recorded and available to view for one month after the date of posting. The recordings will be posted within 2 weeks of the end of the conference and will be accessible by anyone who registered for Good Ideas. This provides an opportunity for you to view all programs, so if there is more than one morning or afternoon class you are interested in, no need to worry! This is also a great opportunity for those who cannot attend the conference live due to prior commitments!

Zoom Basic Training Assistance


Join us for Zoom Basics Training where we will go over all the basic functionalities of Zoom and answer any questions you may have!

To get started, click here for our Zoom Tutorial Help page! For additional help, email uwspcelife@uwsp.edu

​Program Information

Daily Schedule

Conference Schedule for 2024

8:30-8:45 a.m.​
 ​Coffee and Chat (Student Union)
​8:45-9 a.m.
 Welcome and Announcements 
​9-10 a.m.
 ​General Sessions 
10-10:30 a.m.
 Morning Break
10:30 a.m.-Noon
 Morning Class (See "Morning Classes" Below)
​Noon-1 p.m.
 ​Lunch
​1-2:30 p.m.
 ​Afternoon Class (See "Afternoon Classes" Below)
​2:45-3:45 p.m.
 ​General Sessions 

Zoom Links will be sent separately closer to the conference.

Good Ideas: Morning General Sessions | 9-10 a.m.

Tuesday, January 9 *offered hybrid

How do we move towards Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture in Central Wisconsin? with Kirstie Heidenreich (Marathon County Conservationist) & Brooke Bembenec​k (Marathon County Grazing Analyst)

Come learn from seasoned conservationists in a county land conservation department on how we can use innovative ways to make a shift as a society towards regenerative agriculture. Hear examples of how this is occurring right in Central Wisconsin and what you can do as a consumer to support this movement. 

Wednesday, January 10 *offered hybrid

A Review on PFAS: Strategies and Treatment Processes with Dr. Seyed ​Javad Amirfakhri (Assistant Professor of Paper Science and Chemical Engineering)

What are the PFAS? What are the health concerns of PFAS? Which strategy is more effective for dealing with PFAS: prevention or treatment? What are some efficient methods for PFAS removal from drinking water? Do you know that you may have a piece of equipment at home that removes PFAS partially? What are the short-term and long-term treatment methods? These questions will be addressed in this presentation.

Thursday, January 11 *offered hybrid

Mediating Voices from the Past with Bea Lebal (retired teacher & library director)

Discover the importance of family diaries and other records to understanding your family and community history.​

Morning Classes | 10:30 a.m.-Noon (choose one)

​1. Beginning Hydroponics *only in-person

Becky Wirkus (Youth Program Manager for Continuing Education)

 Build and learn how to maintain your own tabletop hydroponic system. This system will enable you to grow your own herbs, lettuce and more. Get your hands into learning while gleaning an understanding of how to grow useful cooking plants without soil. Participants will build their own system to take home. Workshop fee of $30 will be used for materials to build the hydroponics system. Please bring safety glasses with you if you have them. We will also be spray painting on the first day, so please bring clothing that could potentially get paint on it.​

​2. Religion in the Public Square *offered hybrid

Ryan T. O'Leary (Lecturer in Religious Studies)

Since the beginning of the American experiment, we have separated church and state. But Thomas Jefferson's celebrated "wall of separation" is more like a chain-link fence: things can slip through, and when they do, they can grow quickly. Meanwhile, our free exercise of religion means that our religious beliefs can and do influence our political ideals. This seminar will ask questions about how and when it is appropriate--or inappropriate--for our religion to influence our political decision-making, and examine issues including prayer in schools, the tax-free status of churches, and the distinction between religious belief and practice.

3. A Geologic Tour of Wisconsin's State Parks *offered hybrid

Lisa Siewert (Professor of Geology/Geography) 

Join us on a virtual exploration of Wisconsin's most stunning state parks, where the geological past comes alive. This course offers a unique journey through time, uncovering the fascinating geological processes that have shaped Wisconsin's diverse landscapes. From the ancient rock formations of Devil's Lake State Park to the glacial features of Interstate State Park, we'll delve into the stories these rocks and landforms tell about Earth's history and Wisconsin's place in it.

​​4. On Grief *only in-person

​Douglas Hosler (Professor Emeritus in Philosophy)

This three-day course examines grief and related experiences humans go through. The talk starts with the instructor’s observations of his own grief (and that of some others) related to the loss of his daughter when she was 19. Observations and experiences from those taking the course are welcome, conflicting views are to be considered, and shared opinions are valued. The second day is to be devoted to theories about grief: stages of grief and ideas of what grief really amounts to. The third day is devoted to connecting grief with other things that underlie PTS and PTSD, and philosophic issues about pain in life, such as whether pain is a necessary part of life. Religious ideas and therapeutic ideas will be considered.   

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Afternoon Classes | 1-2:30 p.m. (choose one)

​5. A Tour of Three Local Authors *only in-person

​Day 1- Jill Stukenberg (Professor of English)
Day 2- Tiffany Rodriguez Lee (Wausau Poet Laureate and Executive Director at Center for Visual Arts)
Day 3- Tom Burg (retired FBI agent and author)

Day 1- Sustainable Literature: Most of us are familiar with the goals and joys of eating locally. What does it mean to make art that is local in focus? How does it help to sustain oneself as an artist? Stukenberg will discuss her (decade-long!) process of writing her Wisconsin novel, News of the Air, and her passion for midwestern writers and writing, with time for discussion and audience reflection too. Stukenberg will also bring copies of her novel to sell and sign.

Day 2- In Pursuit of Poetry- An Accessible Practice: Tiffany will share some poetry from her forthcoming chapbook, Coming Up for Air. She'll also discuss her role as Poet Laureate and what that means for the Wausau Community. The session will end with some writing exercises and open discussion on poetry and writing as an accessible and friendly art form, regardless of experience.

Day 3- Who, me? A Real Writer?: Retired Wausau-based FBI Agent becomes a writer, first of non-fictional railroad history and now of Crime Stories with details based upon events and cases from his career.​

​6. A Day in the Life of a Classical Musician *offered hybrid

Jacob Roseman, Artist/Instructor of Flute at the Wausau Conservatory of Music

The musical world is like no other, fascinating, and well worth exploring. Join us to go behind the scenes of the everyday life of conductors, soloists, and chamber musicians - a journey you will not want to miss.

7. Celebrate Your Creative Self *only in-person

Nancy Laliberte, Artist

Begin the new year relaxing and having fun tapping into your inner creative self while playfully exploring a variety of art techniques and materials in unique and inspiring ways. No art experience necessary, just a willingness to be curious and enjoy the party.

8. Keystone plants: Maximizing the ecological value of your land *offered hybrid

Paul Whitaker, Professor of Biology

Keystone plants are native plant species that are so important in feeding insects, both plant eaters and pollinators, that their relative absence in human-dominated ecosystems has ripple effects up the food chain. We'll begin with some of the the ecological foundations and evidence for this concept and then explore how to add keystone plants to your own property to maximize its ecological benefit​​​.

Good Ideas: Afternoon General Sessions I 2:45-3:45 p.m.
​Tuesday, January 9 *offered hybrid

Capturing the Packers with Matt Foss (Executive Director at Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum)

For 75 years, the Biever family of Port Washington photographed the Green Bay Packers, leaving a legacy unmatched. "Capturing the Packers" will highlight the family's story as well as the photographs which made their work famous across the sports world.

Wednesday, January 10 *offered hybrid

The Columban and Copernican Revolutions: The Scientific Revolution in the16th C. with ​​Keith Montgomery (Professor and Dean Emeritus)

We will explore how European ideas of the geography of Earth and of its place in the Cosmos shifted in the 16th C., and how these shifts -- Columban and Copernican -- were related and moved thinking from an older classical model of studying nature (Earth and the Cosmos) towards a modern, scientific approach. 

Thursday, January 11 *offered hybrid

Ballroom Basics for Balance with Susan Frikken (Physical Therapist at Yahara Therapy)

BB4B is a fun, community-based balance class using the basics of dance intended to enhance balance and prevent falls. This collaborative model involves student volunteers and validated balance & cognitive function measures. The curriculum is informed by best evidence and therapeutic practice and adapted to a community’s needs. Participatory talk! ​​​​​

Thank you to our sponsor,​ Badger Talks!

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Lunch for 2023


Lunch is an additional fee of $48

  • Tuesday: Curried Chicken with mixed vegetables or Grilled Chicken Sandwich with fries
  • Wednesday: Jerk Chicken Tacos (3) or Grilled Chicken Salad
  • Thursday: Cheese Burger with Fries or Grilled Chicken Salad

Beverages available: Bottled Water, Sprite, Coke, and Mountain Dew

Coffee and pastries will be available in the mornings to all in-person registrants.

​Zoom Conferencing


Registrants are responsible for ensuring they have the minimum computer standards for participating in the virtual Continuing Education and Outreach program via Zoom.

Sign up for a free Zoom account by clicking here. Zoom works best with Chrome or Firefox.

UW-Stevens Point is not responsible for registrant technological issues, including but not limited to, inadequate bandwidth and/or registrant equipment malfunction. 

Parking Information

Attendees can park in Lot G.

Do not park in Lot B. That is the Faculty Lot, and you may be ticketed if you park there.

​Contact Information


For additional information or assistance with registration, please email Customer Service at uwspceweb@uwsp.edu or call 715-346-3838.

​Cancellation Policy


Refunds will be granted if the Continuing Education and Outreach office is contacted at least seven (7) days before the start of a class. No refunds will be given with less than seven (7) days notice. Program that involve pre-ordering of materials and/or travel will not qualify for a refund unless your space can be filled from a waiting list. We reserve the right to cancel a course due to low enrollment, severe weather, or instructor illness. ​​BE SURE to provide your email address and phone number when registering so we can contact you if a class is cancelled for any reason. Email Continuing Education Customer Service at  uwspceweb@uwsp.edu to cancel your registration.

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Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two week in advance. Please contact Continuing Education Customer Service at 715-346-3838 or uwspceweb@uwsp.edu.