Badger Precollege Classes

Engineering is a problem-solving profession that is both academically rigorous and creatively demanding. This course will introduce you to a broad spectrum of engineering fields and provide a strong foundation for understanding its key tools and concepts.

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.

Modern science is increasingly surrounded by controversial public debates about its societal applications and political implications. Genetically modified organisms, artificial intelligence and COVID-19 have been a powerful illustration of how unprepared many societies are for what the WHO has called an infodemic — the onslaught of information, some correct, much of it incorrect or misleading — that makes it difficult for citizens to separate signal from noise when it comes to identifying the best available science. This class will explore how we make personal and political decisions in the midst of this infodemic.

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.

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.

Why do some ideas catch on while others are ignored? What makes an argument convincing? How do people change their minds, and why do certain messages influence what we believe, buy, share, and do? This course explores the power of persuasion and communication in everyday life, media, and society. From social media and advertising to political debates, public speaking, and everyday conversations, students investigate how messages shape attitudes, influence decisions, and inspire action. Drawing on real-world examples and insights from communication, psychology, rhetoric, and media studies, students learn what makes messages persuasive, how to understand different audiences, and how to communicate ideas in ways that resonate. Students will explore the diverse fields of study and career pathways within communication, including strategic communication, journalism, public relations, advertising, social media, political communication, organizational communication, media production, and communication research. Through discussions of academic and professional opportunities, students will gain insight into how communication skills are applied across industries and how communication-related majors can lead to a wide range of careers. Through interactive workshops, debates, case studies, and creative projects, students practice crafting compelling arguments, telling persuasive stories, navigating disagreements, and presenting ideas with confidence. Students also examine how persuasion operates in digital media, public discourse, and contemporary social issues, developing the skills to both influence others effectively and critically evaluate attempts to influence them. Whether students aspire to become engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, lawyers, policymakers, or creative professionals, this course equips them with practical skills to communicate their ideas, connect with others, and make an impact. By the end of the program, students will better understand not only how persuasion works, but also how to use it thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively in their academic, professional, and everyday lives.

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! 

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.

Explore the concepts behind the things you see in everyday life such as buildings, roads, and waterways, and how they come to be. Through real-world, global, and local examples, you will study the basics of structural and civil engineering as well as hear from campus experts in the field.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the diverse career pathways within the biological sciences. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how biological science principles are applied in real-world contexts and how these fields contribute to solving global challenges.

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. 

This course will investigate the impact that chemical products have on consumers' daily lives. Major topics may include food additives, prescription and non-prescription drugs, fuels, pesticides, detergents, synthetic fibers and plastics.