Badger Precollege Classes

We introduce students to the major systems of the body through interactive and engaging activities. They will not only learn how the inner body looks, but also how it works. We explore the muscular, skeletal, nervous, digestive, respiratory and immune systems through models and experiments.

Do you love the hustle and bustle of a big city?  Maybe you dream of skyscrapers, light rails, sprawling parks, and impressive museums?  If so then join us in a quest to become a visionary urban planner shaping the future of civilization!  We will learn about all the decisions that go into making a city, especially the important design elements that make it liveable. We’ll consider the needs of citizens and search for innovative solutions to meet them.  We’ll examine cities from around the world, as well as the urban space right here in Madison, to think critically about what it takes to make a city successful.  By the end of the course, you’ll put your knowledge to work designing a city of your own! This course is designed as a challenging enrichment opportunity for students completing grades 2-3.

This class will spark your curiosity about the objects in the world around you. Did you know that everything is basically made of the same three ingredients? Participate in hands-on experiments, make observations and learn how to communicate your findings like a scientist.

In this course we will explore the wonderful world of magical creatures through literature, writing, and the arts! We will read about fantastic beasts, write our own stories and poems, improv and perform pieces about these magical creatures, and create art using our limitless imaginations.

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.

Artful Architecture combines elements like drawing and mathematics to help students visualize and create their own dream buildings. Through hands-on and engaging activities, this class will go through the entire planning and designing process: site plan, floor plan, section and elevation. If you like looking at tall skyscrapers or cool-looking buildings in your neighborhood, this class is for you!

During Exploring Engineering, each class will focus on a different discipline of engineering, with stations and hands-on projects to foster exploration and discovery.

The Green Team: Introduction to Environmental Science offers a multi-disciplinary approach to learning about environmental issues by increasing knowledge and building critical-thinking skills that will help our students make informed and responsible decisions in an age-appropriate format.

Get ready to bend your brain and twist your mind! In this course, you'll discover the thrill of solving puzzles, cracking codes and solving logic challenges. Through a variety of hands-on activities, games and teamwork, we'll explore real-world problems and develop creative strategies to solve them. From puzzles to brain teasers, you'll sharpen your critical thinking skills while having a blast with your fellow classmates. Just watch as your confidence and problem-solving skills grow!

Are you interested in finding out more about how forensic science helps us solve mysteries? Intro to Forensic Science is an interdisciplinary class that builds upon the skills explored in our Secret Agents class. We introduce forensic science techniques used in the field.

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.

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. By the end of class, you’ll challenge your perceptions of what it really means to be gross. This course is designed as a challenging enrichment opportunity for students completing grades 3-4.

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!

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.