Badger Precollege Classes

Did you know there are an estimated 1 billion different species of microorganisms on Earth? Microorganisms play a role in every aspect of the world we live in. As an applied biological science, microbiology deals with many important practical problems in medicine, agriculture and industry. Microbial physiology and genetics will be emphasized along with a survey of applied microbiology in the fields of medicine, agriculture, food safety and ecology. This lab-intensive course will focus on laboratory techniques and procedures used in research and industry including cultivation, identification, enumeration, genetic engineering and aseptic technique. The effect of microorganisms on human health, specifically epidemiology and the microbiome will be explored. The manipulation of microorganisms in ecological bioremediation, food production and preservation, and pharmaceutical development will be investigated. This course is intended to satisfy any curriculum that requires introductory-level microbiology. It will challenge you to use scientific inquiry skills to investigate and analyze data and will allow you to examine the diversity of microbes on Earth and their importance in the biosphere.

Do you love the hustle and bustle of a big city?  Maybe you dream of skyscrapers, light rails, sprawling parks, and impressive museums?  If so then join us in a quest to become a visionary urban planner shaping the future of civilization!  We will learn about all the decisions that go into making a city, especially the important design elements that make it liveable. We’ll consider the needs of citizens and search for innovative solutions to meet them.  We’ll examine cities from around the world, as well as the urban space right here in Madison, to think critically about what it takes to make a city successful.  By the end of the course, you’ll put your knowledge to work designing a city of your own! This course is designed as a challenging enrichment opportunity for students completing grades 2-3.

This class will spark your curiosity about the objects in the world around you. Did you know that everything is basically made of the same three ingredients? Participate in hands-on experiments, make observations and learn how to communicate your findings like a scientist.

Learn how to identify and evaluate arguments with the skills of logicians, lawyers and debaters. Examining arguments from popular media and the great philosophers, you will learn to distinguish between deductive and inductive arguments and how to identify and avoid specific fallacies in reasoning.

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.

Did you know that in 30 minutes, the human body gives off enough heat to boil a gallon of water? The human body is a complex machine made up of systems that keep us active and alive. In this class, you will take a closer look at the main systems of the human body and their important functions.

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.

This course uses interactive games, case studies, and real-life scenarios to help young leaders build confidence to make choices that impact their lives and the world around them. Learn to approach problems logically, break down complex issues, and explore strategies to find solutions. 

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.

In this course we will explore the wonderful world of magical creatures through literature, writing, and the arts! We will read about fantastic beasts, write our own stories and poems, improv and perform pieces about these magical creatures, and create art using our limitless imaginations.

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.