WISCIENCE, UW-Madison

WISCIENCE, UW-Madison Inclusive STEM education for all. We enhance engagement & strengthen success in STEM for students, the UW campus community & beyond.

Since 1989, WISCIENCE (the Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement) has collaborated with educators at all levels to create model programs, courses, events, projects, resources, forums for dialogue, and other solutions that help broaden participation in science and make science education and mentoring more effective for more people—at UW-Madison, in K-12 schools, and bey

ond. We provide a temporary or permanent home for effective solutions that have no other means of support, so our constellation of programming continually evolves in response to community-identified needs.

We're excited to welcome this year’s Summer Research Program students to campus! In our program, The Cellular and Molecu...
06/04/2026

We're excited to welcome this year’s Summer Research Program students to campus!

In our program, The Cellular and Molecular Biology of Stress, undergrads from schools across the US spend ten week at UW–Madison engaging in full-time, immersive bioscience research and professional development.

After arriving last week, they had a full schedule of activities to help them prepare for the weeks ahead. In addition to things like touring campus and getting ready for lab, community building was an important part of this—and they even got to enjoy some sunshine while doing it! Here, students and program directors gathered for an activity called Common Ground, where they shared facts about themselves, learned new things about each other, and discovered interests that they had in common.

We're looking forward to getting to know them more over the summer and learning more about their research experiences!

We are so proud of our Peer Leaders! Eight alumni of the WISCIENCE Peer Leader Program received the UW–Madison Leadershi...
05/06/2026

We are so proud of our Peer Leaders! Eight alumni of the WISCIENCE Peer Leader Program received the UW–Madison Leadership Certificate this semester! And one of these remarkable students, Kaylee Sweno, won the Anne Louise Martino Leadership Award, which honors an outstanding graduating senior who has distinguished themselves as a campus leader and has advanced women’s leadership. Congratulations to all!

Photo 1 (L–R): Rina Mistrioty, Chloe Martin, Sevilla Reed.
Photo 2: Atharvan Srivastava
Photo 3: Kaylee Sweno (second from left)
Not pictured: Pate Lantz, Sophie Greene, Kate Curtis

Every semester, we look forward to watching students’ presentations about working with K–5 students in after-school scie...
04/29/2026

Every semester, we look forward to watching students’ presentations about working with K–5 students in after-school science clubs!

This is part of INTEGSCI 240: Service with Youth in STEM, a community-based learning course where students learn about community partnerships and get hands-on experience leading STEM activities for kids.

We heard about the kids’ favorite activities—programmable robots and “drops on a penny” were favorites—and meaningful moments, like getting inspired by the recent Artemis space mission. The presenters also reflected on their own growth in the process, and how they will apply what they’ve learned going forward.

We love hearing about the impacts of these community partnerships on everyone involved!

Does this sound interesting to you? You could take this course in fall 2026! Learn more at go.wisc.edu/dalfny

Meet WISCIENCE Peer Leader Sara Dennis!Sara is a third-year student from Rockford, IL, majoring in neurobiology and gene...
04/23/2026

Meet WISCIENCE Peer Leader Sara Dennis!

Sara is a third-year student from Rockford, IL, majoring in neurobiology and genetics & genomics. We are thrilled to have her as a STEM Engagement Peer Leader!

About Sara:
Favorite snacks for a study session:
Dark chocolate and pretzels!

Extracurricular activities:
I am involved in Badger Volunteers, Undergraduate Neuroscience Society, ALS research, and I participated in the Atlantis Fellowship program in Milan, Italy.

What sparked your interest in STEM?
I was always incredibly fascinated by the complexities of the human nervous system and its disruptions. I took these passions and decided to build on them and participate in Neuroscience camps across the nation. This enthusiasm led me to places like Johns Hopkins, Ohio State, and Drexel University, where I was able to learn more about medicine based neuroscience from a young age.

What is your vision for life after graduation?
I aspire to go to medical school and become either a Neurologist or a Neurosurgeon.

Learn more about Sara and the rest of our Peer Leaders at: https://go.wisc.edu/8t488p

Meet WISCIENCE Peer Leader Megan Nchekwaram!Megan is a fourth-year student from Milwaukee, WI, majoring in biochemistry,...
04/16/2026

Meet WISCIENCE Peer Leader Megan Nchekwaram!

Megan is a fourth-year student from Milwaukee, WI, majoring in biochemistry, biology, and global health with an African studies certificate. We are thrilled to have her as a Research Peer Leader!

About Megan:
Favorite snacks for a study session:
Fruit or Cheddar Cheez-its

Favorite place on campus:
Biochemistry Building

Hidden talent:
I’m pretty good at cooking

What have you learned by being a peer leader?
I’ve learned that we know more than we often admit and that we—not just peer leaders, but everyone—are full of knowledge and great ideas just waiting to be shared. As a peer leader, I’ve also realized that I’m always learning and will continue to do so.

What is your vision for life after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to take time to strengthen my medical school application. So I will be doing a lot of studying and mental preparation.

Learn more about Megan and the rest of our Peer Leaders at: https://go.wisc.edu/8t488p

Calling all UW undergrads in STEM majors: we’re looking for Peer Leaders for Exploring Service in STEM (INTEGSCI 140)!Ma...
04/13/2026

Calling all UW undergrads in STEM majors: we’re looking for Peer Leaders for Exploring Service in STEM (INTEGSCI 140)!

Make a difference by providing peer support and mentorship to students in this first-year course. This is an excellent opportunity to further your journey as a STEM leader and build skills to boost your professional development. Plus, your experiences can count towards the Leadership Certificate.

No previous leadership experience is needed. Deadline: April 26, 2026.

Learn more and apply at go.wisc.edu/1t35ty

Meet WISCIENCE Peer Leader Kaela Reuter!Kaela is a third-year student from Kenosha, WI, majoring in biology. We are thri...
04/02/2026

Meet WISCIENCE Peer Leader Kaela Reuter!

Kaela is a third-year student from Kenosha, WI, majoring in biology. We are thrilled to have her as a Peer Leader for Exploring Biology!

About Kaela:
Favorite snack for a study session:
Popcorn

Extracurricular activities:
Club track, Carbone Cancer Center intern, UW-Health Children’s Hospital volunteer, and intramural sports

What is an academic accomplishment that you are proud of?
Overcoming self-doubt in challenging courses through consistent effort has been one of my most rewarding academic experiences. By staying disciplined, seeking help when needed, and embracing a growth mindset, I’ve learned to push past obstacles and develop confidence in my abilities.

What is your vision for life after graduation?
Medical school, traveling, helping people, and meeting new people from different backgrounds.

Learn more about Kaela and the rest of our Peer Leaders at: https://go.wisc.edu/8t488p

Last week’s Weird Science Fair was full of fun, hands-on—and yes, weird—science activities from labs and departments acr...
03/31/2026

Last week’s Weird Science Fair was full of fun, hands-on—and yes, weird—science activities from labs and departments across campus!

Two WISCIENCE students, Nalina Cherr (left) and Angelina Grady (right), led a colorful activity called “Rainbow in a Jar” from the course Service with Youth in STEM (INTEGSCI 240). Each colored liquid has a different density thanks to different amounts of salt or sugar—and when poured together, they stack by density instead of mixing.

Fairgoers also explored veterinary anatomy, had fun with physics, made candy DNA, debunked sleep myths, and more. Thanks to everyone who attended!

First photo by Keegan Buscaino. All other photography by Sirtaj S. Grewal/UWSMPH Media Solutions.

Meet WISCIENCE Peer Leader Rian Engeldinger!Rian is a third-year student from Prescott, WI, majoring in neurobiology. We...
03/26/2026

Meet WISCIENCE Peer Leader Rian Engeldinger!
Rian is a third-year student from Prescott, WI, majoring in neurobiology. We are thrilled to have her join us as a STEM Engagement Peer Leader!

About Rian:

Favorite snacks for a study session:
My go-to snack is sour patch watermelons! Definitely not the healthiest, but it always helps me power through!

What do you like most about Madison?
I love that Madison has so much green space and nature integrated into the city. Being near nature and living near the water make the city feel like home!

An academic accomplishment that you are proud of:
I am proud to be presenting my research at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting this year!

What are you looking forward to about being a peer leader this semester?
I am looking forward to being a friendly face that students can look to during the good and bad times of the semester.

What sparked your interest in STEM?
I have always been interested in the “why” of how the world works whether it be through biology, chemistry, physics, etc.

Learn more about Rian and the rest of our Peer Leaders at: https://go.wisc.edu/8t488p

Calling all UW–Madison STEM students interested in doing research on campus! Would you like to get started with research...
03/24/2026

Calling all UW–Madison STEM students interested in doing research on campus! Would you like to get started with research, and have some questions? Want to hear what it's like from fellow students with research experience?

Research Peer Leaders can help! Stop by to ask questions and get guidance on finding research opportunities and resources.

Available in-person or remotely every week this semester through April 24—no appointment needed!

Learn more about Research Peer Leaders at go.wisc.edu/L5FFY2

Address

445 Henry Mall, First Floor
Madison, WI
53706

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16082630478

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