Badger Precollege Classes

Did you know there are an estimated 1 billion different species of microorganisms on Earth? Microorganisms play a role in every aspect of the world we live in. As an applied biological science, microbiology deals with many important practical problems in medicine, agriculture and industry. Microbial physiology and genetics will be emphasized along with a survey of applied microbiology in the fields of medicine, agriculture, food safety and ecology. This lab-intensive course will focus on laboratory techniques and procedures used in research and industry including cultivation, identification, enumeration, genetic engineering and aseptic technique. The effect of microorganisms on human health, specifically epidemiology and the microbiome will be explored. The manipulation of microorganisms in ecological bioremediation, food production and preservation, and pharmaceutical development will be investigated. This course is intended to satisfy any curriculum that requires introductory-level microbiology. It will challenge you to use scientific inquiry skills to investigate and analyze data and will allow you to examine the diversity of microbes on Earth and their importance in the biosphere.

Calling all Entrepreneurs! Or, those who just want to learn about the world of business. This class will give you an introduction to some key concepts of business – product/service creation, marketing, digital creation and finance. We will touch on all sorts of business topics and have plenty of fun doing so. If you are a fan of the show Shark Tank this could be your dream class. 

A Walk Through History will transport students to a living history museum! Students will choose a historical figure, research them and write a speech as if they were that person. During family visiting day, students will dress up and stay in character, give their speeches and answer questions.

Adventures in Coding will spark your curiosity about the connections between math, computer coding and programming. If you geek out about video games, computers, equations or even different mathematical languages, join us for this coding adventure!

This class will introduce you to new fields of research, engage you in hands-on experiments and give you the opportunity to visit labs and science departments around campus. Past fields of exploration have included limnology, geology and a behind-the-scenes visit to the primate lab.

Mythology means more than just Mount Olympus. In this course, you'll expand your horizons beyond Greece to explore the mythology of cultures from around the world. Join us as we travel from continent to continent to compare different types of mythologies and their influence on history, society and culture. Part literature and part geography, you'll be sure to enjoy this literary tour of the world!

From the birth of the cosmos to the mesmerizing death of stars, this course offers a comprehensive exploration of space that will leave you with a profound understanding of the celestial wonders that surround us.

Creative Writing will explore many of the ways that words can express our imaginations and our ideas. Through exercises, reading, feedback from classmates and instructors and other exploratory activities, we will grow as writers together in this class.

Do you enjoy rhymes, alliteration, beautiful words and picturesque language? In this creative writing class, we'll focus on the elements that make people fall in love with poetry. Students will respond to prompts and explore a variety of poetry forms, including how words and music interact in lyrics.

Do you love a good story? Do you enjoy creating characters and setting them loose in a world of your imagination? If so, join us for a writing workshop where you can express your voice through the endless possibilities of fiction. We'll explore what it is that makes for great storytelling and enjoy sharing our ideas with each other.

This course is intended to provide a thorough understanding of the relationship between economics and social relationships. Students will become familiar with the basic principles of markets, how economic resources are organized, and how economics and sociology come together.

Engineering is a problem-solving profession that is both academically rigorous and creatively demanding. This course will introduce you to a broad spectrum of engineering fields and provide a strong foundation for understanding its key tools and concepts.

Exploring the Brain will take a deep dive into how the brain works and how psychology shapes the world around us.

You will learn to collect, analyze and interpret physical and biological trace evidence such as fingerprints, hair, fibers and DNA. This laboratory-based course will allow you to use logical thought processes and scientific inquiry skills to interpret evidence and analyze criminal psychology.

Game of Economics will spark your curiosity about one of the driving factors in the world today — economics. Through critical reasoning, creative problem-solving and hands-on learning, you will construct your own games to help you understand large economic concepts such as scarcity, supply, demand, opportunity costs and diminishing returns.

Prepare to be amazed, astonished and maybe even a little grossed out in Gross Biology! Here you'll go on a mind-boggling quest to uncover the squirmy, slimy, creepy, crawly and downright bizarre features of the natural world. You'll be intrigued by parasites, mucus, bacteria and more! Put on a brave face, and maybe some gloves, as you complete hands-on experiments to uncover the purpose of some of nature's oddities.

Diseases challenge scientists to unlock the most complex puzzles of illness, disability and the body's response. Beginning with an overview of human anatomy and physiology, students will probe the nature of disease with new understandings of genetics, pathology and epidemiology.

Inside Out/Upside Down will introduce students to the world of psychology using the movie Inside Out as a base for exploring emotions, actions, and memories. Students will be learning about the foundations of psychology through role play, hands-on activities and class discussions.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the world of healthcare but unsure which medical path suits you best? Insight to Medical Fields of Study is designed to help you explore the diverse and exciting world of healthcare professions. Whether you dream of becoming a physician, nurse, researcher, therapist or medical administrator, this course provides a comprehensive foundation to make informed decisions about your future in medicine. By the end of the class, you will be better equipped to make informed decisions about your future career in the medical field. This course is an excellent foundation for high school students aspiring to pursue a medical profession. Join us on this exciting journey of discovery and exploration in the ever-evolving realm of medicine.

Computer programming impacts social media, digital games, and music, and leads to medical breakthroughs, business innovation and engineering marvels. Using real-world examples from Google, Netflix and other corporate trendsetters, you'll use programming principles and applications in final projects.