Steps to Join Us!
Use the google form to submit your interest in joining a research project, the ML4ER course, or just to get added to the email list to stay up to date on community news! For more information check out the join us page for an overview of information.
We will reach out to everyone who has submitted their information before the start of each semester with detailed information on projects, the ML4er course, or any other ways to get involved.
A few select previous projects are included on the project highlights page, and currently active projects can be viewed on the research projects page.
About Us
The Informatics Skunkworks is a group dedicated to engaging undergraduates in science and engineering informatics research. Skunkworks participants work together in project-based research, learning critical skills in teamwork, presentation, project management, software development, and applied data science, as well as driving data-centric approaches that are transforming science and engineering. Everyone is welcome. Please join us!
Introduction to Machine Learning for Engineering Research Summer Course! Register Now!
We will be leading our “Introduction to Machine Learning For Engineering Research” (ML4ER) in a 4-week online format to serve as an introduction for anyone interested in participating in research related to informatics for engineering, but currently lacking some of the technical skills and background to jump directly into participation on a research project.
This summer we’ll be kicking off May 27th and wrapping up June 22nd for our 4-week course! We would love to have you participate!
Please email Ben Afflerbach (bafflerbach@wisc.edu) or message on Slack to join!
For more detailed information see the course page here
Dates For Spring 2025 Participation
- Dec. 27, 2024 – Applications due for the Spring 2025 semester
- Jan. 6 – Jan. 10, 2025 – Research Informational Interviews Conducted to facilitate project matching
- Jan. 17, 2025 – Project teams finalized for the semester
- Week of Jan 20, 2025 – Projects and ML4ER course begin with project kickoff meetings and first course activities
- Friday Apr. 25, 2025 – Semester wraps up with All-Hands Meeting
Key Links for Spring 2025
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UW-Madison Course Credit for Participation in Skunkworks!
Participants in Research or the ML4ER Intro course are eligible to enroll in MSE 401 for 2 credits!
Please join MSE 401 under Prof. Dane Morgan’s section.
We ask that those participating in Skunkworks activities sign up for 2 credits in MSE 401. This helps create an official record of your efforts for yourself and the campus, as well as helping show the impact of the Skunkworks program. The course does not meet and does not involve any extra commitment beyond your otherwise planned activities. If there is any reason you do not wish to take credits this course enrollment is not required.
If you do wish to enroll email Benjamin Afflerbach bafflerbach@wisc.edu who will initiate opening the course for you and include your campus ID number (wiscard number). You can generally enroll about 72 h after emailing Ben.
Introduction to Machine Learning for Engineering Research Course
“Introduction to Machine Learning For Engineering Research” (ML4ER) is a semester long course taught in the Spring and Fall semesters to serve as an introduction for anyone interested in participating in research related to informatics for engineering, but are currently lacking some of the technical skills and background to jump directly into participation on a research project.
We’ll be starting up with weekly meetings for the course the week of Jan 20th 2025. There are no pre-requesites or course cap so if you are interested it is safe to assume you can participate!Please email Ben Afflerbach (bafflerbach@wisc.edu) or message on Slack to join!
For more information see the course page here
Research Projects for the Spring 2025 Semester
Research Projects for the Spring semester will have their kick-off meetings the week of Jan. 20th! For a list of active projects and to see which are still recruiting take a look at the projects page!
Project matching will occur a few weeks before the start of the semester.
If you’re interested in participating you can either reach out the listed project mentor or Ben Afflerbach (bafflerbach@wisc.edu) for more information and to get included. Please also submit the Application Form so that we can keep track of interested students.
Informatics Technical Help-Desk
The informatics help-desk is a NSF supported service to help solve technical issues and streamline research in materials and chemistry informatics. We have experts in data science application to materials and chemistry informatics who would love to help answer any questions you have. No question is too basic and we will do our best with really hard questions. We are open to everyone!
Please see the help-desk website for details. We want to make the research experience more enjoyable by spending less time stuck on bugs and software issues and more time on the exciting parts of informatics research!
We will also use these times to discuss specific projects and help students match with a project.
Recent Posts
Skunkworks Team Publishes Their Work on ML Model Uncertainties!
November 20, 2024Skunkworkers Publish Their Results in a New Paper!
June 26, 2024All-Hands Meeting – Friday May 3rd!
April 10, 2024- More posts