A family affair

Jacob Carlson had just completed fourth grade when his mom enrolled him in his first summer program with Badger Precollege. He didn’t know it then, but the one-week paleontology course would begin a long-term relationship with UW–Madison’s precollege program.

Offering more than 60 classes each summer in topics ranging from art and music to psychology and STEM, Badger Precollege offers academic and arts programs for learners ages 7–18. Classes challenge students academically and foster a growth mindset; many programs incorporate sessions on preparing for college and navigating a campus environment.

After that first course, Jacob enrolled in six more Badger Precollege courses over the years, and his sister, Willow, is currently a regular participant. Now a college junior at Florida Atlantic University, Jacob stays involved with Badger Precollege as a summer resident assistant, supporting middle and high school students in their learning and community-building journey.

We asked Jacob and his mom, Shannon Colton, to reflect on their experiences with Badger Precollege and the impact it made over the years.

The two that stand out are my first paleontology course and the forensic science course at ALP. They were the first and last courses I took with Badger Precollege.

The paleontology course was one of my favorites because it gave me an insight into the world of paleontology at a young age, and it was taught in a manner that made me want to come back for more. That first year impacted me and shaped how I interacted with the Badger Precollege programs. Similarly, the forensic science course was a culmination of my experience with Badger Precollege. I had made many friends and memories, and it all came together that year. My friend group had been coming back for a couple of years at that point, and we all felt fully integrated into the Badger Precollege world. On top of that, the course was super interesting, and it was a lot of fun to learn about forensic science and the many pieces that come together to create the bigger picture.

Looking back, it’s interesting to see the differences between my first and last courses and how they became more challenging as I grew and developed with them.

Jacob: I think the main thing that drew me back was the community I had with the other students and the staff. That first year, I made friends that I still talk with to this day. Being able to come back year after year to my friends who I couldn’t see during the school year was really important to me, especially in a world before the growth of connection through social media.

Additionally, the courses I took in my early years with Badger Precollege helped me explore the many worlds of education and topics I could learn about. As a student who was often understimulated during the school year, taking an intensive class for a couple of weeks with other students who learned at my pace was amazing.

When I think about the impact of the Badger Precollege program on my kids, two things come to mind. First, this program provides a “home” for kids seeking additional challenges and learning opportunities. Often, kids who love to learn are viewed by their peers as strange, but at Badger Precollege, these kids are embraced for who they are and, more importantly, encouraged to continue to be who they are without apology. These experiences help elevate self-confidence in their presence at school and in their lives.

Since Jacob started Badger Precollege all those years ago, we have moved twice, from Wisconsin to Massachusetts and then to Florida. Despite knowing that other summer programs were available locally, we always supported Jacob and Willow’s request to return to Madison for the Badger Precollege program because we loved everything it offered the kids.

And this brings me to my second point. Being away from home, in an environment where they are encouraged to be themselves and to try new things, raises their self-awareness and fosters independence. I have loved seeing my kids return after their time on campus with a renewed sense of who they are and increased areas of autonomy. I knew when Jacob left home for college, he would be ready to live on campus, take classes, make friends and live successfully. I know that Willow will be in the same position when it is her turn.

Shannon: One of my favorite outcomes, as I described above, is that their sense of independence grew with each passing experience they went through. In my opinion, it is important to foster that growth so that when they are ready for college and the next steps, they have the confidence and independence to tackle those new situations.

From an academic perspective, participating in this program helped my kids foster their curiosity — learning new topics and trying new experiences — which allowed them to explore different areas and learn from those experiences. I love that the kids know (from this firsthand experience) how to jump into learning about different topics and embrace that curiosity to explore beyond what is presented to them.

It helped me be more prepared for the intensity of the more advanced courses. The Badger Precollege courses helped me prepare for the speed and rigor of the harder classes I took in high school and college. That experience at a young age allowed me to anticipate what it would be like during these more advanced courses. It also gave me an early insight into what kind of college I wanted to attend. I currently attend a smaller university with more intimate class sizes. I think the desire to be with a smaller group of students in advanced courses came from my time at Badger Precollege with the small groups of students in each class.

Jacob: It has definitely increased my appreciation for the program. It is great to be on the other side of it and to try to give the current students the same experience I had when I was their age.

My time with Badger Precollege had many benefits for me and my growth, and I wanted to pass down those experiences to the new generation. Spending time with precollege students definitely gave me a greater appreciation for programs that help to grow their desire to learn. I think it’s really important to try to develop a love of education and help it flourish in these students.

Please visit the Badger Precollege website for program information. If you have questions, please contact [email protected].