Outreach Programs

UW-Madison’s Engineering Summer Program (ESP) is a free, six-week, residential pre-college program for rising high school juniors and seniors. Each summer since 1972, ESP hosts 20 to 30 students from groups historically underrepresented in engineering who want to experience life as an UW engineering student. Participants take courses in pre-calculus or calculus, physics, chemistry, engineering, and technical communications. Other programming includes industry site visits, field trips, guest lectures, workshops and faculty mentoring. Learn more about ESP at: go.wisc.edu/esp

Promoting the Computational Science Initiative (ProCSI, pronounced “proxy”) is a free six-day residential program offered to high-school freshman, sophomores and juniors interested in the Computational Science discipline. Through a hands-on learning process, ProCSI participants are introduced to advanced concepts in computer science and engineering. Activities include Computer Aided Design of physical objects, problem solving activities using computer simulation software, and tours of engineering laboratories where cutting-edge research takes place. Learn more about ProCSI at: sbel.wisc.edu/procsi/

For female sophomores and juniors interested in engineering, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) hosts a week-long residential camp called Engineering Tomorrow’s Careers (ETC). ETC camp provides participants with opportunities to explore various disciplines within engineering, meet other young women with similar interests, and experience college life. Typical activities include lectures, labs, and tours of UW-Madison engineering facilities. The activities cover nearly all fields of engineering offered at UW to give campers a chance to find out what interests them the most. Learn more about ETC at: swe.slc.engr.wisc.edu/engineering-tomorrows-careers-camp

Engineering EXPO Community Day offers hands-on activities, speakers, industry reps, and student organizations who are excited to share their current work in engineering. Learn more about Engineering EXPO at: https://engineeringexpo.wisc.edu/

The College of Engineering offers visit opportunities both on UW-Madison’s campus and visits to schools and community-based organizations. Our Makerspace facility is a 12,000 square-foot state-of-the-art engineering center with prototyping equipment including 3D printers, scanners, laser cutters, and visualization studio. In addition, our school and community-based visit programs are designed to introduce K-12 students to the basic concepts of engineering. Request a visit and learn more at: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e2PNOIC39zdjEvr

The UW-Madison Biomedical Engineering Department provides outreach programs to schools, local youth clubs, and other organizations throughout the community. A team of UW-Madison Biomedical Engineering seniors can present an exciting, hands-on activity designed to help youth explore engineering principles to solve biomedical problems. Request a visit and learn more at: https://www.engr.wisc.edu/department/biomedical-engineering/bme-outreach/community/

The UW Material Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) is involved in outreach activities both on and off the UW-Madison campus. In addition to school visits and teacher workshops, the UW MRSEC introduces the general public to the wonders of materials science. Learn more about MRSEC outreach programs at: https://education.mrsec.wisc.edu/outreachgeneral-public/

Other UW-Madison Precollege & Youth Programs

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to reaching people of all ages inside and outside of the classroom. Precollege programs provide youth ages 5-18 with transformative learning experiences in academic and recreational areas of interest. In addition to getting a taste of the college experience, youth benefit from interacting with UW–Madison’s outstanding facilities, resources, and faculty. UW–Madison is proud to offer an enriching place for youth to learn, discover, and grow. Learn more about all UW-Madison Precollege and Youth Programs at: https://precollege.wisc.edu/

Other UW System Precollege Programs

A variety of precollege programs are offered at every UW institution, including the UW Colleges. Programs cover a wide array of subjects such as college and career exploration, computer camps, music, art, study skills, math, science, leadership skills, sports, cheerleading, and others. For a complete listing of the programs offered by UW institutions to K-12 students across the state of Wisconsin, please visit: https://www.wisconsin.edu/precollege-programs/

• Getting involved in Engineering EXPO
• Graduate Engineering Research Scholars (GERS)
• Materials Research Science and Engineering Center on Nanostructured Interfaces (MRSEC)
• Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Day on Campus
• Summer Collegiate Experience (SCE)
• Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)