
Advancing Inclusive STEM Education for All
At WISCIENCE, the Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement, we build and support communities of STEM learners, leaders, and practitioners. We deliver courses and programs in STEM disciplines that develop knowledge and skills for success in STEM; build STEM identities and confidence; provide professional development and engagement opportunities in teaching, public service, leadership, and research in STEM.
We foster inclusivity in STEM through initiatives and programs that support diverse populations at all stages of training and levels of exposure to STEM. We lead and collaborate on local and national efforts to improve STEM education by developing and disseminating evidence-based programs, curricula, resources, and other scholarly products.
What We Offer
Resources and Services
We provide services and resources across and beyond campus to STEM learners, educators, and mentors.
Focus Areas
First-Year & Transfer Students
These WISCIENCE courses and programs are designed to benefit diverse populations of first-year or novice STEM undergraduate students.

Public Service Learning
These WISCIENCE programs provide learning experiences that build science literacy for undergraduate and graduate students. Our programs develop participants’ skills, knowledge, and confidence as a STEM learner and future professional.

Peer Leadership
WISCIENCE STEM Student Peer Leadership programs and courses help students develop leadership knowledge and skills through the personal and professional development of themselves and others.

Scientific Teaching
These WISCIENCE professional development programs and courses are for graduate students and postdocs designed to improve teaching and mentoring in science.

Research Professional Development
WISCIENCE fulfills requests by the UW-Madison community to give presentations and provide consultations to support research mentor and mentee training in STEM for departments and programs across campus.

Integrated Initiatives
WISCIENCE involves multiple partners, programs, and staff to increase the impact and access of STEM programming.

Why WISCIENCE?
- Our programs and courses provide opportunities for STEM students to engage in mentorship, teaching, service, and leadership.
- Our STEM courses and programs promote diversity in STEM, educational innovation, engaged scholarship, outreach and collaboration.
- Our courses fulfill degree requirements, count towards the campus leadership certificate, and offer valuable preparation towards STEM careers.
- Students in our courses benefit from being part of a learning community, small class sizes, interactions with peer leaders, and getting connected to resources and opportunities.
Upcoming Events
No events returned.
News & Updates
A Conversation with Biochemistry Student Jaitri Joshi
From identifying research areas of interest to navigating lab cultures, WISCIENCE’s undergraduate research programs are touchpoints for students during their time at UW–Madison. When undergraduate Jaitri Joshi graduates this spring, the biochemistry and life sciences communication double major will have spearheaded several WISCIENCE initiatives and been a WISCIENCE Undergraduate Research Peer Leader for over three years. Jaitri sat down with Department of Biochemistry communications specialist Catherine Steffel to share her story.
Fall 2022 Course Offerings
An update on which of our courses will be offered in fall 2022.
Spring 2022 Research-Related Resources
Research Peer Leader Drop-in Hours, Find a Mentor Workshops, and More
National Science Organization AAAS Grants Fellowship Status to Kevin J. Niemi, WISCIENCE Emeritus Director of Outreach Programs
Kevin J. Niemi, emeritus director of outreach programs at the Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement, for extensive contributions to science outreach, public engagement in science, and science education in Wisconsin, nationally, and beyond.
Training Ph.D. Students to Successfully Navigate Research Mentoring Relationships
A letter to the editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education, drafted by WISCIENCE Director Janet Branchaw and colleagues.
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