University of Wisconsin-Madison
As the author of acclaimed novels like The Only Road and Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla, Alexandra Diaz has dedicated her career to telling stories of resilience and empowerment. The Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program (LACIS) recently hosted Diaz for a week-long residency centered on writing and community engagement. Throughout the week of April …
High school delegates from across the region filled the halls at UW–Madison on March 19 and 20 for the 54th annual Wisconsin High School Model United Nations (WHSMUN) conference. As the only Model UN event hosted within the UW System, WHSMUN continues its legacy as one of the most respected student-led conferences in the Midwest. …
The Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies (WCSS) recently held its annual conference at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club, bringing together K-12 educators from across the Midwest for two days of professional development. The conference serves as the leading forum for Wisconsin social studies teachers to access professional development, offering everything from keynote …
As part of its commitment to the Wisconsin Idea, the Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at UW–Madison provides K–14 educators and librarians with comprehensive virtual resources designed to bring global expertise into the classroom. The guide below outlines the digital tools offered through IRIS area studies centers to assist teachers in enriching their …
An exciting new series called Children’s International Story Hour (CISH) brought the world to Wisconsin’s public libraries this past semester. The Wisconsin International Resource Consortium (WIRC), a collaboration among the nine UW–Madison area studies centers, partnered with Wisconsin Public Libraries to give children and their caregivers an engaging way to explore global arts, cultures, and …
The Wisconsin International Resource Consortium (WIRC), a collaboration among the nine UW–Madison area studies centers, recently hosted a workshop titled “Design and Consumption: Mechanisms of Conveying Information.” This interdisciplinary workshop for K-12 and community college educators explored the historical roots of artistic expression and its influence on today’s digital information landscape. The workshop featured speakers …
On April 4, Madison’s historic Barrymore Theatre came alive with the magic of international storytelling as over 250 students from across Wisconsin gathered for the annual World Cinema Day. This event, sponsored by the Wisconsin International Resource Consortium (WIRC) and held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Film Festival, offered a unique cinematic experience with the …
The Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at UW–Madison stands at the forefront of cultural competency and outreach, directly affecting the lives of thousands of K-12 students, educators, and community members across Wisconsin. UW–Madison’s eight National Resource Centers (NRCs), all housed under IRIS and established between 1961 and 1997, host signature events and outreach …
UW–Madison’s Union South buzzed with linguistic energy on March 5, 2025, as more than 450 high school students from across Wisconsin attended the annual Languages of the World Day. Through introductory lessons and hands-on workshops led by more than 60 UW–Madison experts, students experienced firsthand the power of language learning through music, dance, film, and …
The Wisconsin International Resource Consortium (WIRC), a collaboration among the nine area studies centers at UW–Madison, continues to provide outreach programming and support through their International Children’s Literature Event. Now in its second year, the event brought together K-12 educators, librarians, and children’s literature enthusiasts for an in-person workshop exploring themes of migration, partition, and …