Wisconsin Institute for Discovery

Thanksgiving Recess
2025-11-27 | WI
*Note: actual end time may vary.*
University offices closed.
CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu

Indigenous Language Table
2025-12-03 13:00 - 14:15, 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, 2026-02-18 13:00 - 14:15 (America/Chicago) | 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/

Crossroads of Ideas: Quantum Frontiers
2025-12-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Discovery Building, 330 North Orchard Street, Orchard View Room, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Presented in celebration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

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. This Crossroads of Ideas conversation will pull back the curtain on quantum science, revealing its surprising role in shaping the present, and the future, we all share. Presented in celebration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

Crossroads of Ideas:
2025-12-09 19:00 - 20:00 | 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 | WI
*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]

Study Day
2025-12-11 | WI

Exams Begin
2025-12-12 | WI

Commencement
2025-12-14 10:00 - 12:30 | WI
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, Orchard View Room, 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 | WI

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 | WI
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/

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 | WI

Spring Semester Instruction Begins
2026-01-20 | WI

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

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

Crossroads of Ideas: The Upside of AI Failure
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Discovery Building, 330 North Orchard Street, Orchard View Room, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
What failure in AI can teach us, and how it can inspire innovation, critical thinking, and resilience.

Failure is part of progress, especially in the fast-moving field of artificial intelligence. This Crossroads of Ideas event, part of our three-part mini-series on “productive failure,” brings together David Fields (UW-Madison Department of East Asian Studies) and Rob Nowak (UW-Madison Computer, Data & Information Sciences) to explore what happens when AI technology falls short. From real-world research that didn’t go as planned to the broader implications for society, this conversation highlights how failures can deepen our understanding, shape future innovation, and help us navigate technology’s role in our lives. Together, they’ll discuss what failure in AI can teach us, and how it can inspire innovation, critical thinking, and resilience.

Crossroads of Ideas:
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:00 | H.F. DeLuca Forum, Discovery Building
Upside of AI Failure. Part II in our Productive Failure Mini-Series
What failure in AI can teach us, and how it can inspire innovation, critical thinking, and resilience.
URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crossroads-of-ideas-the-upside-of-ai-failure-tickets-1975825908480
