Badger Precollege Classes

Explore your creativity and discover what it takes to be a compelling writer. This class is designed for avid readers and writers who read well above grade level and are serious about improving their skills and preparing for high school writing.

Students will prepare themselves to be college-ready through a variety of interactive online workshops and in-person experiential learning. They will better understand the holistic approach to university admissions in the U.S. and the jargon that accompanies the admissions and educational process. They will identify their weaknesses in study and time management skills essential for college success and develop a plan to improve these habits.

This three-week, immersive program invites all international students seeking a higher education experiential learning opportunity. Students will experience college life as a student on UW–Madison's extensive campus. The program offers interactive workshops and presentations in sustainability, college preparation, admissions, financial aid, leadership and development. Students will participate in excursions and community outreach activities that sample the culture, traditions and values of the Midwest. After completing this program, participants will have finished an exceptional educational program with all the benefits of studying abroad that will prepare them for their future endeavors in higher education learning.

High school students will be taken on a journey of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) as they chart their own educational and career pathways to become the STEM superstars of the future. Students will investigate their own interests, values and skills, as well as explore the dynamic world of STEM careers and trends.

Explore written works centered on the theme of bravery. Expect a mix of essays, short stories, speeches, and stories to be discussed. Master literary analysis techniques to help reflect on and confidently articulate ideas on what it means to have courage and "be brave."

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.

Explore plant anatomy, ecology, and their vital roles in the environment. Plan to explore campus gardens and consider the role of agriculture, landscape architecture and other ways human and plant life interact. Gain skills to observe and understand the natural world.

Mix a little bit of reading and whole lot of creativity to dive into the key elements of graphic novels, from character development and plot structure to page layout and illustration techniques. Discover how to blend words and images to craft compelling narratives with a final project.

This discussion-based class will teach critical thought and debate about how technology shapes our world and impacts our daily lives. Topics to explore will include the digital footprint, plagiarism, AI vs. creativity and equitable access. 

Summer Music Clinic offers the opportunity to: learn from experienced educators from around the country, develop new music skills and enhance existing ones, meet and collaborate with those who share your interests, develop and express your unique, creative style, and enjoy new experiences in a welcoming, supportive community.

Summer Music Clinic offers the opportunity to learn from experienced educators from around the country, develop new music skills and enhance existing ones, meet and collaborate with those who share your interests, develop and express your unique, creative style, and enjoy new experiences in a welcoming, supportive community.

Summer Arts Clinic offers you the opportunity to: Learn from experienced educators and arts professionals from UW–Madison and around the country. Develop new artistic skills and explore existing ones. Meet and collaborate with a community of peers with multiple and diverse artistic voices and interests. Explore education and career opportunities in the arts. Develop and express your unique, creative style. Learn to tell your story in a variety of ways through the arts.

Do you love a good story? Do you enjoy creating characters and setting them loose in a world of your imagination? If so, join us for a writing workshop where you can express your voice through the endless possibilities of fiction. We'll explore what it is that makes for great storytelling and enjoy sharing our ideas with each other.

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!

We introduce students to the major systems of the body through interactive and engaging activities. They will not only learn how the inner body looks, but also how it works. We explore the muscular, skeletal, nervous, digestive, respiratory and immune systems through models and experiments.

With the explosion of innovative technologies and new knowledge about the brain, the neuroscience field remains on the frontier of contemporary science. We will look into the rapid advances in the field as well as unresolved mysteries that future generations of neuroscientists will be tackling.

If you've ever wondered why your brain does what it does, this class is for you! We'll cover topics like motivation and emotions, learning and forgetting, intelligence and personality, and social behavior. You'll have the opportunity to apply it to your own life through a final research project.

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.

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.