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Activities

Below you’ll find information about typical activities during on-campus Grandparents University sessions.

Field Trips

Alien Blood: Crime Scene Investigation

During this field trip, participants will become forensic scientists, using molecular biology tools and techniques including micropipettes and gel electrophoresis to analyze and investigate an alien crime scene.

Physical Activity Level: Low

Note: This field trip is only offered during Session II.

Babcock Dairy

Tour Babcock Dairy’s observation deck and learn about how ice cream and cheese are made at UW–Madison. Following the tour, participants will enjoy an ice cream and cheese tasting in the Babcock Dairy Store.

Physical Activity Level: Medium

Bakke Recreation Center

At University Recreation & Wellbeing, we move Badgers to play hard, get fit, and live well. This staff-guided tour will highlight the newly opened Bakke Recreation Center. In the Bakke Center, active Badgers can look forward to square footage for well-being services (including spaces to support mental health), a 25-yard recreational pool, eight basketball courts, an ice sheet, expanded fitness areas, multipurpose studios, and an indoor jogging track.

Physical Activity Level: Medium

Bucky Boat Rides and Alumni Park Tour

Madison wouldn’t be Madison without all of its beautiful lakes. In this activity, you’ll have an opportunity to explore some of the 132 billion gallons of water in Lake Mendota. The Bucky Boat offers a chance to learn about our lakes and the surrounding area. While waiting to ride the boat, explore Alumni Park and One Alumni Place on a guided tour. Weather Permitting

Physical Activity Level: Medium to High

Note: Participants will meet in One Alumni Place to sign a waiver

Camp Randall Stadium

See Badger sports championship trophies and memorabilia in the Bud Selig Hall of Champions. Relax for a moment in one of Camp Randall's luxury suites, the Buckingham Club seats, and Varsity Club seats with a panoramic view of the field. Be a witness to Badger football history, and a "behind the scenes" look at the Forward Center football weight room.

Physical Activity Level: High

Campus Trolley Tour

Explore some of the most iconic places on campus by trolley with current UW students as your guides. You will learn about the history of campus and have opportunities to stop and take photos along the way.

Physical Activity Level: Low

Dairy Cattle Center

Tour the Dairy Cattle Center and have an udder-ly great time. On this tour, you will get to see the facility as well as meet some of the 84 milking cows who call this facility home.

Physical Activity Level: Medium

Guided Campus Walking Tour

Learn more about UW–Madison's campus through a guided walking tour lead by student guides.

Physical Activity Level: High

Hamel Music Center

The Hamel Music Center opened in fall 2019 as the new performance and rehearsal space for the UW’s Mead Witter School of Music. The zigzag concrete exterior wall is a decorative curtain that conceals soundproof structural walls. The large performance space in the new Hamel Center is the 660-seat Mead Witter Foundation Concert Hall. The red circles on the wall are acoustical coffers, which absorb and reflect sound to enhance the musical experience.

Physical Activity Level: Medium

L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum

The Leonard R. Ingersoll Physics Museum was conceived by Professor Snow and Professor Ingersoll in 1917 and was fully established in 1918 when the construction of Sterling Hall was completed. The establishment of this museum, known at the time as the Historical museum, made it one of the first museums of its kind in the country that focused on physics. Following Professor Ingersoll’s death in 1958, the physics department renamed the museum to Leonard R. Ingersoll Physic Museum to honor his dedication to the success of the Historical museum. Keeping with tradition, all exhibits are designed by the faculty and staff, then constructed by the departmental shops, staff, and students to give the visitor a hands-on experience of the physics concept and to put physics in the fingertips of the young.

Physical Activity Level: Medium

Memorial Union

Go “behind the scenes” at UW-Madison’s historic Memorial Union located right on Lake Mendota. Explore the history of the Union and everything it has to offer such as Outdoor UW, Wheelhouse Studios, Wisconsin Hoofers, Der Rathskeller, Wisconsin Union Theatre and Shannon Hall, and so much more.

Physical Activity Level: Medium

Nicholas Recreation Center

At University Recreation & Wellbeing, we move Badgers to play hard, get fit, and live well. This staff-guided tour will highlight the Nicholas Recreation Center. The Nick is home to five levels of cardio and strength equipment, a pool and diving well, five multipurpose studios, eight full-size courts, an indoor track, and more. During the tour, you will learn about the facilities and program offerings, including group fitness classes, personal training, intramural sports, sport clubs, massage therapy, well-being workshops, and lessons. At the end of this tour, you will better understand how students find their “fit” on campus.

Physical Activity Level: Medium

Stem Cell Learning Lab

Through this free, hands-on experience in our lab at the Biotechnology Center, you will view real stem cells under the microscope and use the same equipment and methods our researchers use to prepare and grow their cells. Participants will use realistic cell and media substitutes due to cost and biosafety restrictions. All participants must wear closed-toe shoes.

Physical Activity level: Low

Note: This field trip is only offered during Session I.

University Theatre

Take a trip through historic Vilas Hall and University Theatre. Explore the many dressing rooms, costume shops, construction areas, and stages. University Theatre is inside Vilas Hall and took many years to complete in the 1970s. The result of the long construction period is an eclectic building with many twists, turns, and surprises.

Physical Activity Level: High

UW Geology Museum

With its reconstructed dinosaurs, huge mastodon skeleton, colorful mineral samples, six-foot-diameter rotating globe, and walk-through model of a Wisconsin limestone cave, the Geology Museum has long been a favorite of both kids and adults.

Physical Activity Level: Low

UW Health American Family Children's Hospital

Explore the UW Health American Family Children's Hospital, where over 260 University of Wisconsin pediatricians and pediatric surgeons provide the most advanced medical care to children of all ages.

Physical Activity Level: Medium

UW Makerspace

Visit the UW Makerspace, which strives to empower students by creating a community immersed in emerging technologies focused on creating innovative products. This field trip will cover the equipment used in the space and collaborative work areas.

Physical Activity Level: Medium


Bucky’s Night Out

  • Thursday evening from 6:30–8:30 p.m.
  • After dinner on Thursday evening, come join us for ice cream and Bucky Badger! Bucky’s Night Out will include music, dancing, bingo, and more!