About
About
Spread the Word About PLATO
Board of Directors
Board Nominee Bios
Board Election 2026-27
Meeting Minutes
Committees
Weekly Update
Organizational Documents
PLATO Staff
Join PLATO
Courses
Spring 2026 Course Schedule
Winter 2026 Course Schedule
Curriculum Showcase
Propose a Course
For Course Coordinators
Course Locations
Attic Angel Place
Ashman Public Library
Bethany United Methodist Church
Capitol Lakes
Chazen Museum of Art
Christ Presbyterian Church
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Fitchburg Senior Center
The Gardens Retirement Community
Goodwill Community Room
Goodwill - Northside Town Center
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Madison Senior Center
Middleton Glen
Monona Library
Mount Olive Lutheran Church
Neighborhood House
Oak Park Place
Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
Pinney Library
UW South Madison Partnership
UW Space Place
Verona Public Library
Verona Senior Center
Vista West
Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center
Wisconsin Bank and Trust
Wisconsin Historical Museum
DCS
Courses Past
Summer 2025 Course Schedule
Spring 2025 Course Schedule
Winter 2025 Course Schedule
Fall 2025 Course Schedule
Fall 2024 Course Schedule
Events
Annual Event Calendar
Field Trips
Lectures
Local Tours & Walks
A Self-Guided Walk in the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood
Indigenous Earthwork (Indian Mound) on Lake Mendota's North Shore
Stewart Lake County Park
POPE Farm Conservancy
Cherokee Marsh: Yahara Heights Section
Edna Taylor Conservancy
Cherokee Marsh - North Unit
Donald Park: Woods, Hills and Farmstead
Wilkie Gorge of the Cross Plains National Scientific Reserve, where the Glacier Started to Recede
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Olin Park, Turville Point Conservation Park
Social Gatherings
The Agora
Features from The Agora
Test page - Feature from The Agora
Past Recordings
Donate
Volunteer
Social Justice
UW Library Card
Senior Guest Auditors
FAQ
About
Spread the Word About PLATO
Board of Directors
Board Nominee Bios
Board Election 2026-27
Meeting Minutes
Committees
Weekly Update
Organizational Documents
PLATO Staff
Join PLATO
Courses
Spring 2026 Course Schedule
Winter 2026 Course Schedule
Curriculum Showcase
Propose a Course
For Course Coordinators
Course Locations
Attic Angel Place
Ashman Public Library
Bethany United Methodist Church
Capitol Lakes
Chazen Museum of Art
Christ Presbyterian Church
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Fitchburg Senior Center
The Gardens Retirement Community
Goodwill Community Room
Goodwill - Northside Town Center
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Madison Senior Center
Middleton Glen
Monona Library
Mount Olive Lutheran Church
Neighborhood House
Oak Park Place
Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
Pinney Library
UW South Madison Partnership
UW Space Place
Verona Public Library
Verona Senior Center
Vista West
Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center
Wisconsin Bank and Trust
Wisconsin Historical Museum
DCS
Courses Past
Summer 2025 Course Schedule
Spring 2025 Course Schedule
Winter 2025 Course Schedule
Fall 2025 Course Schedule
Fall 2024 Course Schedule
Events
Annual Event Calendar
Field Trips
Lectures
Local Tours & Walks
A Self-Guided Walk in the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood
Indigenous Earthwork (Indian Mound) on Lake Mendota's North Shore
Stewart Lake County Park
POPE Farm Conservancy
Cherokee Marsh: Yahara Heights Section
Edna Taylor Conservancy
Cherokee Marsh - North Unit
Donald Park: Woods, Hills and Farmstead
Wilkie Gorge of the Cross Plains National Scientific Reserve, where the Glacier Started to Recede
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Olin Park, Turville Point Conservation Park
Social Gatherings
The Agora
Features from The Agora
Test page - Feature from The Agora
Past Recordings
About
About PLATO
The name and acronym –
Participatory Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO)
– defines us well.
PLATO is a self-directed, volunteer-led, nonprofit organization serving 850+ lifelong learners living mostly in and around Dane County. Most members are approaching or actively enjoying retirement. All share a passion for learning and a desire to stay engaged with the world and with others who share their interests. No formal education or university affiliation is necessary to join.
Member Benefits
30+
courses
each fall and spring as well a smaller selection during the winter and summer
Lectures, socials and events
Guest Courtesy Card from UW Libraries
(a $50 value)
Weekly email updates
and member emails to stay in-the-know about courses, lectures, and events
PLATO is about more than information. It’s about interactions. Meet other people with curious minds through classes, events, field and theater trips, and member committees.
We especially value the in-depth friendships we’ve already made, the intelligent curiosity and openness of the people we’ve met, and the wide range of classes.
~ PLATO Member Testimonial
Join PLATO
If you enjoy self-directed, volunteer-led lifelong learning, PLATO is an ideal way to learn, contribute to others’ learning, enjoy new experiences, and meet new friends.
Click here to join today!
Mission
PLATO
, the
articipatory
earning
nd
eaching
rganization, is a learning-in-retirement organization that relies on active member involvement to develop and provide participatory learning, teaching, and social opportunities for members. PLATO also
financially supports educational opportunities
for learners of all ages in greater Madison.
Core Value
Be an inclusive and welcoming organization to all members of the greater Madison community who wish to continue learning and/or teaching in retirement.
PLATO is a Member-Run Organization
PLATO is a 501(c)(3) organization run by its members who contribute their time and effort to carry out the administrative tasks.
PLATO members share their expertise, skills, and talents to keep the organization strong and vibrant. We are always looking for more members to help keep PLATO running. If you would like to become involved in PLATO’s administration, contact any
Board Director
or
Committee Chair
Spreading the Word About PLATO
Word of mouth has always been PLATO's best recruitment tool. When members share their appreciation of PLATO's many opportunities to learn, grow and connect, it is likely to inspire others to want to learn about PLATO too. Members are invited to visit the
Spread the Word About PLATO webpage
for ideas about how to expand PLATO's reach both inside and outside Wisconsin.
The History of PLATO
Learn about the History of PLATO
A Leisurely Walk through PLATO's History
Remembering Norman Risjord
What's in a Name?
A do-it-yourself, grass roots university for retired people
Early 1990 PLATO Growth
Thirty-five Years of PLATO Courses
10 Ways to Tell Others About PLATO
Word of mouth has always been the best way to attract new members.
When members share their appreciation of PLATO's many opportunities to learn, grow and connect, it inspires others to want to learn about PLATO. Read about
10 Ways to tell Others about PLATO
PLATO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported in part by:
info@platomadison.org
Facebook: @platomadison
608-572-6869
6209 Mineral Point Road #203
Madison, WI 53705
Wild Apricot
Membership Software