Badger Precollege Classes

This hands-on, lab-based class will help you scientifically explain your chemistry successes and disasters. You will be introduced to the essential molecules in food, water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, and learn how they interact with each other.

Environmental Studies is interdisciplinary, embracing several unifying themes, including The Living World, Global Change and Sustainability. Our focus will be on assessing and promoting the Natural Capital of local ecosystems (deciduous forests, prairies and lakes). We will explore different social science approaches to interpreting the relationship between the environment and society at various scales, from the local to the global. This course will trace the social origins of environmental concerns, their social impacts and the different responses they engender. Students will have an opportunity to interact with UW researchers, educators and campus leaders. In the end, students will grasp the values of the natural world and the tools for protecting it.

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.

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!

How does AI "learn" about art styles, and what does it mean for AI to "understand" artistic principles? AI is becoming increasingly important as technology plays a larger role in our daily lives, especially in matters involving art. This course empowers you to understand, create, and critique art generated by AI, delving into how technology reshapes traditional and digital artistic expressions. Students will learn foundational AI concepts, experiment with tools like image generation, text-based art and algorithmic design and explore ethical and philosophical questions surrounding AI in creative fields. Whether you're just curious about art in the age of AI or an aspiring young artist with a passion for creativity, this course offers a hands-on, thought-provoking journey into the future of art.

This course explores theater and writing in order to help develop your skills as a writer and an effective member of an ensemble. After exploring new acting techniques, the class will culminate in a virtual presentation using different topics and skills learned in the course.

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

Collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes and use logical thought processes and scientific inquiry skills to interpret evidence and explain crimes. Learn to interpret evidence such as fingerprinting, hair and fiber analysis, impression analysis, forensic entomology and anthropology.

STEP Law courses are an introduction to the law and the legal system in contemporary American society. Using the case study method, we'll analyze individual rights as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and as interpreted by the courts. We examine the criminal and civil branches of the law.

This course provides a foundational introduction to programming in Python. Learn essential programming concepts, including data structures, control flow, and visualization techniques, while developing an understanding of computational methods used in physics.

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.

This course delves into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and business by exploring fundamental concepts and the transformative power of innovation. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing them to thrive as entrepreneurs and business leaders.

This course delves into the fascinating psychology behind how we learn and what drives us to achieve. Through topics like motivation, memory, cognition, and perception, you'll explore how people process, interpret and act on information.

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.

This course provides an engaging introduction to the diverse world of engineering, offering students a comprehensive overview of various engineering disciplines and career paths. The course aims to help students understand the fundamental principles and real-world applications of each discipline.

Insight to Medical Fields of Study is designed to help you explore the diverse and exciting world of healthcare professions. This course provides a comprehensive foundation to make informed decisions about your future in medicine

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.