Community Outreach

Connecting Research and Community

Our Community

At the Social and Moral Learning Lab, we believe that meaningful research extends beyond the university. Through partnerships with local organizations, we connect with children and families throughout the Madison community while sharing our enthusiasm for developmental psychology.

Our outreach efforts allow us to engage with families in familiar, welcoming environments, introduce children to the research process, and make developmental science more accessible to the broader community. These connections also help us learn from the diverse experiences and perspectives of the families who make our research possible.

We are grateful for the organizations and families who support our work and help us better understand how children learn, reason, and navigate the social world.

A Social and Moral Learning Lab member sits with a child at a laptop beside a large window overlooking colorful autumn trees at a community library.

Outreach in Action!

Our lab connects with families at local community events throughout Madison! At these events, we share information about our research and invite families to participate in our studies. Children can receive a small toy when their guardians complete our interest form!

Take a look at some of our favorite moments from community outreach events throughout Madison!

Lab manager Jane and research assistant Kate smile behind a Social and Moral Learning Lab outreach table at a Madison farmers' market, displaying study information and baskets of toys for children.
Social and Moral Learning Lab members connecting with families at a local Madison farmers’ market.
Social and Moral Learning Lab outreach table at the Dane County Fair, featuring a colorful ‘Become a Kid Scientist’ sign, research flyers, and information about participating in studies.
Sharing our research with families at the Dane County Fair
A colorful prize wheel with different pictures and activities that children can spin for a chance to win toys at Social and Moral Learning Lab outreach events.
Social and Moral Learning Lab members speak with families and children during a community outreach event at the Lussier Family Heritage Center.
Engaging with children and families at the Lussier Family Heritage Center
A vintage red fire truck parked along the street at Monona's Community Festival, with other vehicles and festival activities visible in the background.
Three Social and Moral Learning Lab members display colorful watercolor paintings created using bubbles at a community outreach event at Pinney Library, seated behind a table with art supplies and research information.
Bringing science into the community at Pinney Library
Scenic view from the Lussier Family Heritage Center's observation deck, overlooking green fields and trees under a clear blue sky, with a mounted viewing telescope in the foreground.
Entrance sign to the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin, surrounded by trees on a sunny day, photographed during a Social and Moral Learning Lab outreach event.
Community outreach at Henry Vilas Zoo
View of the Westside Farmers’ Market in Madison, featuring a grassy field with wildflowers, large leafy trees, and vendor tents in the background.
Social and Moral Learning Lab member smiles behind an outreach table at Family Fun Night at Warner Park Community Recreation Center, displaying research information, a colorful prize wheel, and baskets of toys for children.
Family Fun Night at Warner Park Community Recreation Center
Handmade ‘Wild About Science’ sign created by a Social and Moral Learning Lab research assistant, featuring colorful lettering and animal illustrations, including a giraffe, elephant, goat, and seal, displayed at a community outreach table.
Social and Moral Learning Lab members and lab manager smiling together behind their community outreach table at the Lussier Family Heritage Center, featuring research materials, colorful toys, and handmade decorations.
Three Social and Moral Learning Lab members preparing for a community outreach event at Pinney Library, arranging colorful toys and creating a handwritten sign at their table.

We’re incredibly grateful to the many community organizations that have welcomed our lab and helped us connect with families throughout Madison! The photos above highlight just a few of the wonderful places and events we’ve had the opportunity to be part of. We appreciate all of our community partners for helping us bring developmental research beyond the university and into our local community!

Partner with Us!

Interested in partnering with the Social and Moral Learning Lab? We’re always excited to connect with local organizations and explore new opportunities to engage with children and families throughout the Madison community!

If you’re interested in collaborating with us or hosting our lab at a community event, please reach out to our Lab Manager, Jane Singman, at singman2@wisc.edu. We’d love to hear from you!