Badger Precollege Classes

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!

Madison often ranks at the top of best places to live, but what makes a city thrive? In this class, we will consider zoning, green space, traffic, walkability, technology and other variables critical to a city’s success. Students will brainstorm solutions to real-world constraints, using the great UW Campus as an example to explore. This course will boost your data analysis, design, and presentation skills as you present your proposal on how to make our campus an even better place to live, work, and learn. 

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. 

Explore plant anatomy, ecology, and their vital roles in the environment. Plan to explore campus gardens and consider the role of agriculture, landscape architecture and other ways human and plant life interact. Gain skills to observe and understand the natural world.

Hear ye, hear ye! Court is now in session!  In this course, students will take on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, and jurors as they explore the basics of law and courtroom procedures through an introductory-level mock trial. Students will learn to think quickly and critically, build persuasive arguments, and gain a deeper understanding of the structure of our justice system. Along the way, they’ll build confidence and teamwork skills while bringing a lively courtroom drama to life.

Strong leaders in any field know how to communicate their ideas and listen to others. This course helps students build confidence in public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking through a variety of debate and discussion activities. Students will learn how to develop persuasive arguments, respond thoughtfully to opposing viewpoints, and engage in productive conversations about important issues. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or new to debate, this course offers a fun and engaging environment to strengthen your communication skills. 

Learn about object-oriented programming, and how to write and execute code using the Java programming language, via the Greenfoot programming environment. Students will learn programming fundamentals while participating in authentic coding activities that place an emphasis on problem-solving and creativity. Explore coding by examining a set of interesting scenarios, solving coding problems and competing in a fun coding challenge. Then begin to design your own game or simulation!

This class will ponder the question, "What's next in the field of space exploration?", and will explore the evolution of space exploration, from rockets and satellites to animal explorers and the manned space missions of today. This discussion-based class will utilize space imagery and study recent developments in the field as we continue to ask, "How much farther, and further, can we go?"

Ever wonder why you don’t fly off a spinning ride? Or how a skateboard trick seems to defy gravity? In this course, you’ll explore the amazing forces, energy, and motion that shape our world—from roller coasters and rockets to sports and everyday gadgets. This course is packed with exciting experiments, real-world challenges, and creative builds that will get you thinking like a scientist and designing like an engineer. 

Spend each day discovering one of the many art areas on the UW–Madison campus, like theatre, visual art, dance, music or creative writing. Part of our day will be spent delving into the creation of pieces, and the other part of the day will include visits to campus arts hubs.

From ski resorts under a dome in the middle of the desert to rotating skyscrapers, nothing is impossible for contemporary designers. This class will help you start thinking like an engineer and engage you in a series of increasingly complex competitive design challenges.

Did you know that the way we move can change how we learn and solve problems? In this course, students will explore the exciting connection between body and mind through hands-on psychology activities. Using movement, gesture, and interactive experiments, we will uncover how our bodies help us remember, imagine, and understand abstract ideas. Instead of just reading or listening, students will actively use their bodies to experience psychological concepts in action. By the end, they will gain both a deeper understanding of themselves and fun strategies they can apply to learning in school and beyond. 

Grab your goggles! In this introductory course we will explore foundational concepts in chemistry such as molecular structure, change, energy, and pH. We’ll discover how all these principles work together in daily life: in food, fireworks, fabric, and more! Students will have an opportunity to engage in hands-on experiments and learn about some of the fascinating Chemistry studies and research happening on the UW Campus. 

Have you heard the latest buzz? Insects are fascinating creatures that play an important role in the world around us! In this class, we'll explore the challenges with the bee population, monarch migration, insect defense mechanisms (ouch!) and the interdependence of all living things.

How do countries solve problems when there is no world government? In this course, students will explore how nations interact with one another and how international laws help create rules for a changing world. Through real-world case studies, discussions, and problem-solving activities, participants will examine topics such as human rights, treaties, international conflicts, and the role of organizations like the United Nations. Along the way, students will develop critical-thinking skills while considering how decisions made between countries can affect people across the globe. 

Calling all entrepreneurs, or those who want to learn about the world of business! This course offers an exciting introduction to key business concepts, including product and service creation, marketing, digital content, and finance. We’ll explore a variety of topics in business and have plenty of fun along the way! As a culminating project, students will develop and pitch their own food truck business. 

What if dinosaurs never really disappeared? In this course, the worlds of paleontology, archaeology, and geology come together to show how scientists use clues from the past to answer questions in the present. We'll investigate fossils, compare theories about extinction, and explore the evolutionary processes that connect ancient dinosaurs to modern birds. Through hands-on activities and conversations with campus experts, students will discover how scientists gather evidence, test ideas, and build consensus as they uncover Earth's history. Along the way, we'll see how new discoveries and technologies continue to shape our understanding of the past and inform our future. 

In this laboratory-intensive course, you will learn how DNA and proteins are analyzed to improve food products, diagnose a disease or identify a suspect. Gain valuable laboratory skills such as micropipetting, gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, DNA extraction and protein analysis.

Join us for a week of adventure through the epic tales of Ancient Greece and Rome! In this introductory course, you’ll learn about key figures and features of Classical mythology and analyze its widespread influence on modern art, literature, and culture. If you're a fan of the Percy Jackson series, or fantasy stories in general, this course is for you! 

Do you enjoy expressing yourself through art, storytelling, and creative problem-solving? In this course, students will explore how writing, visual art, improvisation, and creative movement can come together to impact positive social change. Students will work collaboratively to devise and share a live performance art piece inspired by their own ideas and experiences. Along the way, we'll discover how the arts can help us better understand ourselves, connect with others, and explore important topics in the world around us.