IceCube, a telescope under construction at the South Pole, will peer through the earth to open a new window onto the universe. Like its predecessor, AMANDA, IceCube will search for neutrinos from the most violent astrophysical sources: events like exploding stars, gamma ray bursts, and cataclysmic phenomena involving black holes and neutron stars. The IceCube telescope is a powerful tool to search for dark matter, and could reveal the new physical processes associated with the enigmatic origin of the highest energy particles in nature. The Education and Outreach section of the IceCube Web site provides valuable information for the general public and for high school students and teachers.

For people who want to take a course but don't want to go to class, Independent Learning provides an opportunity to take courses at their convenience. It offers more than 300 university, high school, vocational, and continuing education courses in the areas of art, history, foreign languages, music, writing, psychology, sociology, business, education, engineering, journalism, and political science. The courses are offered through the following UW departments: Business & Economics, Engineering Professional Development, Environmental Resources Center, Professional Development & Applied Studies, Liberal Studies & the Arts, and the Office of Education Outreach.

Each year, ITA competitively recruits 30 talented students of color and low-income students in their final semester of 8th grade (attending Madison Public Schools) to participate in the program during their high school years. Those selected receive four years of intensive training in preparation for high-tech, information technology careers, and intensive academic support in preparation for competitive university admissions and study, as well as a computer, printer, software, and Internet connection for use at home. The academy's dual focus on academic excellence and technological literacy prepares promising students for learning and leadership. Program graduates attending UW–Madison will receive tuition grants for up to five years. Requirements: Entering 9th grade in a Madison public school, minority students or low-income students of any race, 2.75 GPA, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Participation in ITA requires a significant time commitment from parents and students.

The Insect Ambassadors are a select group of enthusiastic graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. These students volunteer their time to travel to local schools, clubs, and organizations to give interactive presentations about insects and related arthropods. The purpose of the program is to teach members of the audience about insects – where they live, how they survive, the role they play in ecosystems, and why they merit study. In addition to presenting live and preserved arthropods, Insect Ambassadors provide facts and fascinating stories. Acting as role models for young scientists, Insect Ambassadors aim to get children excited not only about insects in particular, but also about science in general.

The Institute for Chemical Education currently supports two outreach programs designed to encourage scientific discovery and enthusiasm in youth. Students Participating in Chemical Education (SPICE) is a year-round effort composed of undergraduate, graduate, and faculty volunteers. In addition, chemistry camps are held annually during the summer as one-week sessions for 5th-8th graders. Three different themed programs are offered on an approximately rotating basis.

This celebration is an annual workshop for K–12 educators, public librarians, education students, and children’s literature enthusiasts, with an aim to internationalize statewide reading curricula. Award-winning children's and young adult authors who write stories about different world regions highlight the work they feel is most suitable for classroom discussion. Two authors speak in the morning and two following lunch, with a reception and book signing at the end of the day. This event is sponsored by the Wisconsin International Outreach Consortium (WIOC) in observance of International Education Week, which is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.

This annual March conference offers presentations and workshops that focus on teaching social studies and international and global education. The conference seeks presentation proposals from teachers and other educators that will lead to curriculum changes, lesson plan development, and instructional improvement. Held in Madison, the conference is organized by the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis and the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies and sponsored by the School of Education, International Institute, WEAC, and several UW–Madison area study programs.

The International Institute at UW–Madison and its individual member programs serve the entire state of Wisconsin with regular outreach programming and community service. The Institute enhances international education at the K–12 level through frequent teacher workshops, in-school programming, and instructional materials distribution.

International Reach is a unique program through which international students volunteer to serve as speakers and resources on contemporary global issues and international cultures in local K-12 schools, UW-Madison settings, and community organizations. International Reach allows international students the opportunity to share their diverse perspectives and lived experiences for the purposes of furthering global awareness, intercultural communication and understanding. Each presentation is tailored to the specific educational needs and age of the audience. For example, International Reach volunteers may give informed presentations, facilitate interactive projects, or lead hands-on activities. Local educators and community members are invited to visit the International Reach website to learn more and to request an international speaker. The program is coordinated by UW-Madison’s International Student Services.

Into the Book and its accompanying teacher resource program, Behind the Lesson, will help young students go beyond the mechanics of reading to true comprehension. The video programs and their accompanying interactive Web sites focus on these research-based reading strategies: prior knowledge, making connections, questioning, visualizing, inferring, summarizing, evaluating, synthesizing, and using strategies together. These resources were developed by the Educational Communications Board.

The Introduction to Collegiate Rowing Camps are intended to show high-school-age boys the basics of rowing at the collegiate level. No experience is necessary, and food and housing are provided. Camps range in length from one day to two weeks.