Wisconsin Institute for Discovery

Crossroads of Ideas:
2025-12-09 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | 3rd Floor Orchard View Room, Discovery Building
Quantum Frontiers. Quantum science might sound like it belongs in the lab or a science fiction novel, but its impact is already woven into our daily lives—from the technology in our phones to the future of computing and medicine. Join the Wisconsin Quantum Institute’s Aws Albarghouthi (Computer Science) and Matthew Otten (Physics) for a moderated discussion with Katerina Moloni, exploring the fascinating science of the quantum world and why understanding it matters for all of us.
URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crossroads-of-ideas-quantum-frontiers-tickets-1797490003989

Last Class Day
2025-12-10
*Note: actual end time may vary.*
CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu

AI/ML Gift Exchange
2025-12-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Orchard View Room, Discovery Building (Also offered online)
Give the Gift of Knowledge on Dec 10!.
CONTACT: endemann@wisc.edu
URL: https://forms.gle/7kUdgFpAPzsLFTYh7
ONLINE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/92639425571?pwd=[REDACTED]

Indigenous Language Table
2025-12-10 13:00 - 14:15, 2025-12-17 13:00 - 14:15, 2026-01-21 13:00 - 14:15, 2026-01-28 13:00 - 14:15, 2026-02-04 13:00 - 14:15, 2026-02-11 13:00 - 14:15 | 1145 Discovery Building
A safe place to practice indigneous languages. An Indigenous Language Table supports learners in developing spoken skills beyond the classroom, building community, strengthening purpose, and normalizing Indigenous languages through representation. It welcomes former students and ongoing learners, community members from classes or self study, and anyone interested in Indigenous languages and people.
CONTACT: 316-4325, lredeagle@wisc.edu
URL: https://illuminatingdiscovery.wisc.edu/indigenous-language-table/

Study Day
2025-12-11

Exams Begin
2025-12-12

Commencement
2025-12-14 10:00 - 12:30
CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu

Understanding and Fixing a Broken Heart with Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
2025-12-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Discovery Building, 330 North Orchard Street, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Featuring Dr. Tim Kamp and introduced by Lih-Sheng “Tom” Turng, Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Every month, WID labs and Discovery Fellows present their exploration of complex systems, focusing on resilience, robustness, and adaptability. A colleague in a different discipliine introduces each talk from their perspective. The talks take place int he Orchard View Room and are open to the public. There is also a virtual viewing options.

Exams End
2025-12-18

Software Carpentry
2026-01-12 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-13 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-14 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-15 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-16 09:00 - 13:00
Researchers learning unix shell, git/GitHub, Python. Software Carpentry aims to help researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them basic research computing skills. This hands-on workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation. This workshop teaches intro to the unix shell, git/GitHub, and python. Registration required.
CONTACT: 815-383-3279, sarah.stevens@wisc.edu
URL: https://uw-madison-datascience.github.io/2026-01-12-uwmadison-swc/

Faculty Meeting
2026-01-15 13:00 - 14:30 | Board Room, Discovery Building
CONTACT: mturrubiarte@wisc.edu

WID Seminar Series:
2026-01-16 10:00 - 11:15 | Orchard View Room 3280, Discovery Building (Also offered online)
Federico Rey.
CONTACT: media@wid.wisc.edu
URL: https://wid.wisc.edu/all-events/wid-seminar-series/
ONLINE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/98293855424

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2026-01-19
*Note: actual end time may vary.*
No classes. University offices are closed..
CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu

Spring Semester Instruction Begins
2026-01-20

Crossroads of Ideas: How Failure Fuels Innovation
2026-01-28 19:00 - 20:00 | Discovery Building, 330 North Orchard Street, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Part I in our Productive Failure Mini-Series

Failure is often seen as a setback—but in science and entrepreneurship, it can be the spark that drives breakthroughs. In this first installment of our Productive Failure Mini-Series, explore how missteps, unexpected results, and strategic pivots shape discovery, strengthen ideas, and fuel innovation. Through real-world examples from the laboratory and the startup landscape, this conversation reveals how embracing uncertainty and learning from what doesn’t work can open the door to transformative success.

Crossroads of Ideas:
2026-01-28 19:00 - 20:00 | 3rd Floor Orchard View Room, Discovery Building
How Failure Fuels Innovation. Part I in our Productive Failure Series
URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crossroads-of-ideas-why-failure-fuels-innovation-tickets-1975643154859

Amalgam Improv Presents Yes and Science Improv Workshop
2026-01-30 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Discovery Building, 330 North Orchard Street, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
FREE WORKSHOP! Better Science Communication through Improv

This 2-hour workshop is designed for graduate students, post-docs, staff, and faculty in STEM related fields who want to sharpen their ability to communicate effectively and adaptively. In research and industry alike, ideas often need to be shared in real time with diverse audiences- from colleagues and collaborators to decision-makers and the public. This session provides a lively, low-stakes space to build confidence in handling the unexpected and the ability to pivot one’s communication. Through fun applied improv practice, participants will experiment with spontaneous speaking, respond to mistakes, and network.

Amalgam Improv Presents Yes and Science Improv Workshop
2026-01-30 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Discovery Building, 330 North Orchard Street, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
FREE WORKSHOP! Better Science Communication through Improv

Deploying RAG (cloud vs. GB10): WattBot 2025 case study
2026-02-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Orchard View Room, Discovery Building (Also offered online)
ML+X Forum.
CONTACT: endemann@wisc.edu
URL: https://forms.gle/Pjx18MUjReYTDLTd7
ONLINE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/92639425571?pwd=[REDACTED]
