STEM Commons
STEM Commons
An event & gathering space for the STEM community
Located on the first floor of Steenbock Library, STEM Commons welcomes all UW–Madison students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine). It’s a place where you can connect with others, attend events, and discover resources that make it easier to navigate and find your place in the STEM community.
BioCommons Is Now STEM Commons!
After a year-long closure for a complete renovation of Steenbock’s first floor, the BioCommons has a new look and name—the STEM Commons!
About STEM Commons
Everyone at UW–Madison is welcome here! STEM Commons is meant to be a resource for UW–Madison students, faculty, and staff in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
At STEM Commons, students can…
- Connect with other STEM students from different departments and schools
- Attend events and programs that get you involved beyond the classroom
- Talk to peer leaders who’ve been there and can give you the real story
- Learn about campus resources and opportunities and get tips for taking advantage of them
- Meet up with friends to study, play a game, or just hang out
- Reserve a room for your student organization, study group, or event
Faculty, staff, and grad students can…
- Reserve a room for office hours or meetings
- Host events and get support in the planning process
- Connect with us for ideas about reaching STEM students
Available Rooms
Do you need a space for your event or meeting? All UW–Madison students, faculty, and staff are welcome to reserve these rooms at STEM Commons.
Why Reserve a Room at STEM Commons
- The event space is designed for active learning, with flexible furniture to suit a variety of needs.
- Rooms have new audiovisual technology that supports hybrid meetings.
- WISCIENCE can help you as you plan your event. With our focus on the STEM student experience, we can help you make the most of the space.
- Reserving a room is free. Rooms are available on a first come, first served basis.
Floor Plan
See a map of the STEM Commons and the rest of Steenbock Library’s first floor.
Open-Use Space (Room 136)
- Available for all students during library hours
- Open-use area with a variety of seating: small tables with chairs, booths, and soft seating
- Ideal for studying, meeting with classmates, or spending time between classes
- Not available to reserve
Event Space (Room 126)
- Seats up to 74 people
- Flexible furniture options for a wide variety of event types
- A new audiovisual system for easy presentation and support for hybrid events
- Ideal for events, workshops, collaborative small group studying, or discussion
- Can be used as a study space when not reserved
- Floor plan for Room 126
Meeting Room (Room 127)
- Seats up to 6 people
- Has one round table with chairs
- Has a wall-mounted monitor, direct hookups for devices
- Audiovisual system supports hybrid meetings
- Ideal for small group meetings, office hours, or collaborative studying
Student Programs & Events
For STEM students, by STEM students. Offered by STEM Engagement Peer Leaders, these activities are meant to support your success.
Peer Leader Pop-Ins
Have questions? Peer Leaders can help! Get advice and support about finding research opportunities, balancing your social life with school, and more. No appointment needed!
Find a Research Mentor Workshops
Are you interested in doing research as an undergrad, but aren’t sure how? Learn how to find the best research experience—and mentor—for you.
Self-Care Sundays
Relax and recharge with warm beverages and fun crafts (a different one each week)! Offered every Sunday during the semester from 1–5 PM.
STEM Study Squads
Make it easier to stay on track—join a STEM Study Squad!
In small, peer-led group meetings, combine individual work time with social support and collaboration to help build consistent study habits and deepen your understanding of course material.
All Upcoming Events
Find out what’s happening at STEM Commons.
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Oct 22
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Oct 25
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Nov 1
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Nov 4
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Nov 8
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Nov 15
STEM Engagement Peer Leaders
These undergrad students can help support your success in STEM. Find them at STEM Commons during library hours—look for the red lanyards!
In their role, STEM Engagement Peer Leaders blend mentorship, community-building, and academic support. They receive training through the WISCIENCE Peer Leader program, in which they develop inclusive and adaptive leadership skills through hands-on practice, reflection, and mentorship.
Peer leaders support undergraduate students in a variety of ways, including:
- Creating welcoming spaces for STEM students
- Connecting students to support and resources
- Offering guidance on goal-setting, time management, maintaining motivation, and more
- Encouraging persistence in challenging coursework
- Fostering inclusive community in STEM spaces
- Supporting programs and events
The STEM Commons Team
STEM Commons is a collaboration between WISCIENCE (The Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement) and Steenbock Library.
About WISCIENCE
WISCIENCE (pronounced WIS-science) advances inclusive STEM education for all through meaningful learning experiences within and beyond the classroom.
About Steenbock Library
Steenbock Memorial Library is the primary resource library for UW–Madison students, faculty, and research staff in agricultural, life, and physical sciences, engineering, and veterinary medicine.
Keegan Buscaino, STEM Commons Manager
Keegan can help answer your questions about STEM Commons and support you in planning events in the space.
Jessica Newman, Science & Engineering Librarian
Jessica is the Steenbock Library liaison to STEM Commons and helps support event reservations along with Keegan.
Mission and Goals
Mission
The mission of STEM Commons is to enhance the undergraduate STEM experience at UW–Madison by fostering communities of support and increasing awareness of and access to programming, services, and resources that help them understand, find their place in, and take full advantage of the STEM community on campus.
Goals
STEM academic support services and beyond-the-classroom learning opportunities are plentiful, yet widely dispersed across the UW–Madison campus. Consequently, they can be challenging for students to find. STEM Commons creates on-ramps and pathways that help students navigate the landscape and find the resources and learning experiences they need.
STEM Commons aims to:
- Increase student awareness and use of available academic, professional, and support resources
- Provide a space for high-impact, beyond-the-classroom learning experiences that enhance and extend traditional STEM coursework
- Cultivate an inclusive and collaborative learning environment for STEM students
- Create and maintain dedicated space for STEM student-led activities, initiatives, and events
- Support student well-being as a foundation for success in STEM
History
STEM Commons is a collaboration between WISCIENCE and Steenbock Library, with initial funding provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
When the space first opened in 2013, it was called “the BioCommons” because it was meant to be a space for bioscience students. With bioscience departments found all across campus in multiple schools and colleges, BioCommons filled a need for a central place for bioscience students in all related majors could gather for events and resources.
For years, however, WISCIENCE and Steenbock Library have served all UW community members in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine). The name was changed to better reflect this broader community. The central mission remains the same: to serve as a central place for STEM students across campus to gather, meet one another, attend events, and get support.
Location & Hours
Address
Steenbock Memorial Library First floor
550 Babcock Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
Hours
Open during library hours
Contact
stemcommons@library.wisc.edu