Teaching & Learning Resources
UW-Madison Teaching and Learning Centers
There are a wealth of wonderful programs on our campus that are dedicated to improving teaching and learning for all students. Please visit their websites and attend their programs -- take advantage of all this campus has to offer.
Campus-wide calendars for teaching and learning:
Teaching
Academy
The Teaching Academy is envisioned as an organization patterned after
the national academies, where faculty and instructional staff could study
and provide recommendations on critical issues affecting teaching and
learning. Some specific functions are: to provide leadership to strengthen
undergraduate, graduate, and outreach teaching; to gather together across
disciplines and across colleges those scholars who have demonstrated excellence
and expertise in teaching for scholarly dialogues on the critical issues
affecting our abilities to communicate knowledge; and to provide a focal
point for constructive change in the missions of this campus.
Teaching Academy Website
Contact: Mary Jae Paul, mpaul@bascom.wisc.edu
Center
for Biology Education (CBE)
The CBE's mission is the improvement of college and precollege biology
education at all levels. The Undergraduate Coordinators focus on teaching
and learning at the university level: both in courses and in undergraduate
research experiences. CBE helps faculty/staff through providing information
and resources as well as opportunities for sharing the results of experiments
in teaching (e.g. workshops, brownbags, and teaching circles). See our
webpage for information on how to participate.
CBE Website
Contact: Lillian Tong, tong@wisc.edu
Campus
Climate at UW-Madison
campus climate website
Engineering
Learning Center (ELC)
The ELC serves faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students,
and administrators. It is designed to foster effective student-centered
teaching and learning within the College of Engineering. Objectives: (1)
Provide professional development opportunities and resources for instructors
and students; (2) Facilitate connections for other units that support
teaching and learning; and (3) Help build a culture of continuous improvement
in undergraduate and graduate education.
ELC Website
Contact: Sandy Courter, courter@engr.wisc.edu
Equity and Diversity
Resource Center (EDRC)
The EDRC is a unit within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Legal
and Executive Affairs. The EDRC provides leadership and education to university
employees and students on principles of equity and diversity to promote
respectful and supportive work and learning environments. The office coordinates
campus compliance with affirmative action and equal opportunity requirements
and serves as a resource for schools, colleges, divisions, and committees
regarding equity and diversity issues.
Graduate
Student Collaborative (GSC)Teaching Group
In partnership with L&S, Delta, and The Graduate School, the Graduate
School Collaborative (GSC) offers a relaxed, activity and discussion based
group where grads can develop as teachers and learn from one another.
It is a space to continue your teaching training!
The group is open to any grad student and focuses on enhancing student
learning and development, learning new techniques and accessing resources,
as well as gaining peer support and current help. The time commitment
is only about 5 hours this semester to become a better teacher and develop
a network with fellow grads!
GSC Teaching Group website
Contact: GSC@bascom.wisc.edu
Innovation
in Teaching Brownbag Series
The CALS Instructional Improvement Committee in partnership with the Center
for Biology Education sponsors a brownbag lunch series spotlighting CALS
departments and biological sciences departments across campus to share
creative ways to solve teaching/learning challenges. All UW-Madison Faculty/staff/students
are invited to join the list serve that is used to announce brownbags.
Innovation in Teaching Brownbag series Website
Contact: Lillian Tong, tong@facstaff.wisc.edu
Wisconsin
Program for Scientific Teaching
The goal of the Wisconsin Program for Scientific Teaching is to develop
an entire generation of new resources to enhance undergraduate biology
education. They promote the participation of graduate students and postdoctoral
researchers, the HHMI Teaching Fellows, as vital educational resources
by providing them the training necessary to become outstanding mentors
and classroom teachers. They study the impact of this training on participating
Fellows, the undergraduates they teach, and the faculty advisors with
whom they work. HHMI Teaching Fellows take Teaching Biology, a course
that covers theoretical and practical aspects of teaching, and participate
in one of two focus areas towards becoming Scientific Teachers.
Wisconsin
Program for Scientific Teaching website
Contact:
Jo Handelsman, joh@plantpath.wisc.edu
Institute
for Chemical Education (ICE)
ICE was established in 1983 to provide a center for science educators
to develop and disseminate ideas. ICE is national in scope, and has led
the drive to help teachers revitalize science in schools throughout the
United States. Its efforts include the development of new materials, research
in chemical education, demonstrations and hands-on activities, workshops
for teachers, lab programs for school children, and dissemination via
a variety of publications.
Institute for Chemical Education website
New
Traditions Project in Chemistry
This NSF-funded initiative is developing and evaluating strategies to
promote student learning by creating a paradigm shift from faculty-centered
to student-centered learning throughout the chemistry curriculum. The
integrated course models and instructional materials will be adapted and
evaluated at a range of different types of institutions. New Traditions
brings to UW-Madison leaders in science education and opportunity to interact
with people on our campus involved in undergraduate science instructional
improvement.
New Traditions Project in Chemistry website
Science
and Engineering Education Scholars Program (SEESP)
SEESP is a one-week summer professional development opportunity for
new faculty members or graduate students with aspirations of an academic
career. The focus is on teaching and learning scholarship and how to balance
that with research scholarship. The program is appropriate for those in
engineering, math, chemistry, physics, and computer science including:
- doctoral candidates in their last two years of study;
- assistant professors with one year or less in a faculty position; and
- post-doctoral associates.
SEESP website
Contact: Sandra Shaw Courter, courter@engr.wisc.edu
Biotechnology
Outreach
BioTrek is The Science Outreach Program of the Biotechnology Center
of UW-Madison and of UW-Extension. BioTrek engages the public in the
outreach mission of the University by providing tours and workshops
at the Biotechnology Center on the UW-Madison campus, and workshops
anywhere in Wisconsin.
Visit http://www.biotech.wisc.edu/outreach/index.html to learn more...
Engineering
Expo
Engineering Expo is an event put on by the students of the College
of Engineering at UW-Madison. For each Expo, thousands of people (especially
students) from across the state of Wisconsin come to see student, faculty,
and staff exhibits, compete for prizes in competitions, and see some
of the newest technology in industry.
Mark your calendars for April 14, 15, & 16, 2005, when the University of Wisconsin-Madison will again host its technology exposition & festival. Students, faculty, community members, industry reps, EVERYONE, is invited!
To read more about Engineering Expo, click here...
Exploration
Stations
Exploration Stations are hands-on exhibits staffed by a "Puzzle-Giver"
who coaches and coaxes a learner to explore a puzzle, examine a paradox,
or invent a tool. We use Exploration Stations at a range of events,
including Science
Expeditions, Farm Technology Days, Science
Exploration Days, and State
Fair. We think Exploration Stations are widely useful whenever you're
organizing a public science event that seeks a series of hands-on activities
that focus on engaging the curiosity, creativity, and ingenuity of the
participant.
For more information, visit:
Overall we have 35 hands-on stations this year and have funded almost all of them (up to $200.00 per station, covering costs for handouts, give-aways, live organisms, printing posters, etc.) but we are still accepting few more applications. Additionally we are looking for individuals interested in volunteering for the event (set-up tables, posters, handout printed material etc).
Materials
Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) Interdisciplinary Education
Group (IEG)
MRSEC-IEG uses examples of nanotechnology and advanced materials to
explore science and engineering concepts at the college level, and brings
the "wow" and potential of nanotechnology and advanced materials
to the public.
We work to enhance public appreciation of science and engineering through a central theme of "Exploring the Nanoworld" using web dissemination to novice learners, presentations in general public venues, and contributions to popular publications and media
Common threads running through our interdisciplinary education efforts include:
- engaging with diverse audiences
- collaborating with researchers, industry, museums, teachers, the Institute for Chemical Education, other MRSECs, and academic institutions
- facilitating the professional development of the MRSEC faculty, post docs, graduate students and undergraduate students
- developing measurable objectives assessed by formative and summative methods
To find out more about MRSEC, visit the website...
Science
Alliance
Science Alliance organizes science outreach programs of UW-Madison
to synergize their work and to make it easier for the public to find
and use the people, facilities and other resources of UW-Madison to
explore science as a way of probing the unknown.
Science Alliance was launched in 2003 at the beginning of the Centennial of the Wisconsin Idea (the commitment that all the people of Wisconsin should benefit from the work of the University). Science Outreach and Informal Science Education are our goals. We come from every school and college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We work together because together we are creating the 21st century version of The Wisconsin Idea, where the University stands ready to provide knowledge and learning to people of all ages.
Science Alliance organizes Science Expeditions, a perennial event held in April to welcome people to campus to explore science as discovery.
Some of our key concepts and ideas include:
- The Campus as a Destination (See campus historical plaques)
- Exploration Stations for hands-on learning
- The Learning Lobby for 24/7 learning at each UW Building
- The Wisconsin Idea Science Center, a place we need to greet and reach visitors interested in science.
For more information, visit http://science.wisc.edu/.
Students
Participating in Chemistry Education (SPICE)
Students Participating in Chemistry Education (SPICE) is an outreach
organization of UW-Madison undergraduate and graduate volunteers. SPICE
offers demonstration programs, hands-on activities, and exploration
stations in south-central Wisconsin related to science, especially chemistry.
Events are typically requested by schools, libraries, and various youth
agencies/organizations such as scouting groups. SPICE charges a modest
fee to cover transportation and materials. SPICE operates year around.
To get more information, contact Patti Puccio, Program Assistant, (608) 262-3033; patti@chem.wisc.edu.
Stony
Muse: Special Events in Geology and Arts
This is a new cross-disciplinary program sponsored by the UW-Madison
Geology Museum, with a mission to explore particular aspects of the
relationship between geological sciences and the humanities, to commision
original works of art that reflect this relationship. s
On Friday, April 9, the Stony Muse has planned "The Rock Concert", a special one-day display for the public of the oldest-known terrestrial object, a zircon, from Australia, presently studied at UW-Geology department. This will be followed by a performance by Jazz Passengers with original music commissioned in the honor of the rock (8pm., the Great Hall of Memorial Union).
To get more info and volunteer for this event click here
The
Why Files
Science touches our lives in countless ways. Yet people often think
science is relevant only to a white-coated, lab-dwelling elite. The
Why Files portrays science as a critical human endeavor conducted by
ordinary people. We use news and current events as springboards to explore
science, health, environment and technology. We cover the details and
larger issues of science in an effort to show science as a human enterprise
and a way of viewing the world. We describe research results, but our
overarching goal is to explain the process, culture and people that
shape science.
To find out more about The Why Files, visit the website here...
If you know of a campus STEM or other teaching and learning center that is not listed here, please email it to the webspinner.
