Badger Precollege Classes

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

In Across Time and Space: Exploring History, you will explore different historical societies and how different cultural patterns and perspectives affected well known and some lesser known historical events. You will consider how these different societies are similar or different and how that impacts the future.

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! 

Learn about modern veterinary science through in-class presentations and demonstrations, field trips, and hands-on activities. If you love science, enjoy working with or being around animals, or are interested in knowing more about the field of veterinary science, this is the course 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.