Badger Precollege Classes

Delve into the relationships that sports media and business have in our society. Learn how sports impact community pride, express fashion trends through uniform designs, dovetail with entertainment and pop culture, and gender equity and social change.

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.

How do scientists identify microorganisms, and how do these invisible organisms influence our health, food, and environment?  How are epidemiological studies used to detect, treat, and prevent human disease?  With an estimated one billion species of microorganisms on Earth, microbes play a critical role in shaping life around us. This course will explore the roles of microorganisms in human health, food production using fermentation, and medicine, and gain insight into the fascinating world of microbiology, epidemiology, and biotechnology. It will also examine the role of microbes in food safety, agriculture, environmental systems, and industrial biotechnology, highlighting the many ways these organisms impact everyday life. This course will allow you to examine the diversity of microbes on Earth and their importance in human health and the modern world. By the end of the course, students will use scientific inquiry skills to design experiments, interpret evidence, and analyze data in the fields of microbiology, epidemiology, and environmental science.

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.

How do laws shape society, protect individual rights, influence public policy, and address some of the most complex challenges facing our communities? This engaging course introduces students to the foundations of law, justice, government, and public service while exploring the academic pathways, fields of study, and career opportunities that prepare professionals to make an impact in the legal and civic spheres. Through the lens of UW–Madison's diverse academic offerings, students will gain insight into how legal systems function and how professionals use the law to solve problems, advocate for change, and serve the public. Designed as an introduction to legal studies, this course combines career exploration with hands-on learning to help students understand the role of law in everyday life. Through case studies, mock trials, debates, simulations, legal research activities, and discussions of landmark legal cases, students will examine the principles that underpin the American legal system, including constitutional law, civil rights, criminal justice, public policy, ethics, and the rule of law. Students will analyze how laws are created, interpreted, and applied while developing critical thinking, communication, argumentation, and problem-solving skills. As students explore legal pathways at UW–Madison, they will gain exposure to a wide range of undergraduate fields of study that can lead to careers in law, government, and public service. These may include Political Science, Legal Studies, History, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Communication Arts, International Studies, Public Policy, Journalism, Philosophy, and related disciplines. Students will learn how these academic fields contribute to legal education and develop the analytical, research, and communication skills valued in the legal profession. Throughout the course, students will investigate the broad range of careers connected to law and public service, including attorneys, judges, legislators, policy analysts, lobbyists, mediators, compliance officers, public administrators, government officials, law enforcement professionals, and nonprofit advocates. By connecting legal theory to real-world applications and contemporary issues, students will gain a deeper understanding of the many ways legal professionals influence society and advance justice. By the end of the course, students will have developed a strong foundation in legal studies, gained exposure to UW–Madison academic pathways and law-related careers, and acquired practical experience applying legal reasoning and analysis to real-world questions. Whether interested in law school, government, public service, policy, advocacy, or civic leadership, students will leave with a clearer understanding of the educational and professional opportunities available within the world of law and justice.

What does it take to make a great leader? In this interactive course, students will develop critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills through engaging games, case studies, and real-world challenges. Explore how leaders analyze complex situations, consider different perspectives, and make choices that impact their teams, communities, and beyond. Along the way, students will build confidence, practice collaboration, and learn to lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose. Designed as a challenging enrichment opportunity for students completing grades 6-8, this course equips young leaders with skills they can use both in and out of the classroom.

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. 

This course explores various topics in veterinary and animal sciences. The course aims to expose students to diverse career options while exploring scientific and ethical questions. 

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.

Exploring the legal frameworks that govern the relationships between states and various entities. Investigate global issues and develop tools to assess international legal issues and understand the forces that shape policy decisions.

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

Have you ever wondered what it is like to assess a patient, use medical equipment, interpret clinical findings, or assist in diagnosing and treating disease? Do you want to explore the science, skills, and careers behind modern medicine ? This immersive course introduces students to the hands-on world of clinical medicine and healthcare while exploring the academic pathways, fields of study, and careers that make modern patient care possible. Designed for students interested in medicine and the health sciences, the course provides an opportunity to explore how healthcare professionals apply scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning, and technical skills to improve patient outcomes. Through interactive labs, clinical simulations, dissections, and skill-based activities, students will develop practical experience with techniques commonly used in healthcare settings. Students will explore human anatomy and physiology, learn the foundations of patient assessment and care, and investigate how healthcare professionals diagnose, monitor, and treat illness and injury. Along the way, students will gain exposure to the clinical applications of medicine and the collaborative roles of healthcare teams. As students explore healthcare at UW–Madison, they will discover a variety of academic disciplines, professional pathways, and careers centered on direct patient care and clinical practice. Career exploration will highlight fields such as medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, physical and occupational therapy, emergency medicine, medical imaging, clinical laboratory sciences, respiratory therapy, and other health professions. By connecting hands-on clinical experiences with academic and career exploration, students will gain a deeper understanding of the knowledge, skills, and educational pathways required to pursue a future in healthcare and medicine.

How do our brains shape the way we think, learn, remember, make decisions, and interact with the world around us? This engaging course introduces students to the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes while exploring the diverse academic disciplines, career pathways, and professional opportunities available within the field of psychology. Through the lens of psychology at UW–Madison, students will gain insight into how psychologists and behavioral scientists investigate the complexities of the human mind and apply their findings to real-world challenges. Students will explore major areas of psychology, including biological, cognitive, developmental, social, clinical, and abnormal psychology, while examining influential theories, landmark research studies, and contemporary applications of psychological science. Through lectures, discussions, debates, demonstrations, experiments, case studies, and interactive activities, students will investigate how psychological principles influence everyday experiences, relationships, learning, decision-making, mental health, and human development. The course emphasizes both academic and career exploration, providing students with exposure to the wide range of fields of study connected to psychology. Students will learn about psychology-related majors, specializations, and interdisciplinary opportunities at UW–Madison while examining educational pathways and careers in areas such as counseling, clinical psychology, research, human resources, healthcare, education, social work, organizational behavior, neuroscience, and behavioral science. Along the way, students will develop critical thinking, analytical, communication, and research skills that are valuable across numerous professions. Throughout the course, students will connect psychological concepts to their own lives and the world around them by analyzing examples from media, popular culture, and current events. By the end of the course, students will have gained a foundational understanding of the science of psychology, discovered the breadth of academic and professional opportunities within the field, and developed a deeper appreciation for how psychological knowledge can help us better understand ourselves, others, and society.   Please note that this course is intended for educational purposes only and does not provide mental health treatment, counseling, diagnosis, or therapeutic services.

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.

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.