Summer 2025 ACT

We invite you to join us as we form new communities to address common challenges in undergraduate education such as academic support for students, building meaningful group work, responding to the rise of Al, and exploring novel grading strategies. Educators at all stages of their academic career are welcome to join us as we meet new colleagues while we explore, reflect upon, learn, and deepen our teaching practices.

Virtual Participation

Network with peers across multiple institutions! Groups meet 1 - 2 times per week from June 30 - July 24.

Opening Session

June 30

2-4 pm ET

Closing Session

July 24

1-2:30 pm ET

NIST ACT
SUMMER PROGRAM
HIGHLIGHTS

Examples of Topics

Group Work

Developing Critical Thinking Skills for Today's Students

Teaching with Others (Team-Teaching, Multi-Section, TAs, LAs)

Inquiry-based and

CURE Lab Courses

Universal Design or Bridging the Gap to Teach Students with Variable Skills

Grading Startegies

Using AI to Facilitate Student Learning

Building Student Ownership of the Learning Experience

New Ways of Assessment in our AI World

ACT

This summer, the National Institute on Scientific Teaching will host the fifth annual flexible, small group learning event - Addressing Challenges in Teaching (ACT). We invite you to join us as we form new communities to address common challenges in undergraduate education, such as academic support for students, building meaningful group work, responding to the rise of AI, and exploring novel grading strategies. Educators at all stages of their academic career are welcome to join us as we meet new colleagues while we explore, reflect upon, learn, and deepen our teaching practices.

The ACT program involves the establishment of small groups formed around themes chosen by participants during registration. The program will begin with an opening session on June 30th. Groups will then work together to schedule 5 to 6 meetings over the following 3 weeks to discuss the teaching challenge, develop strategies to address this challenge, and produce materials that will be useful to their own teaching practice. These products will be shared at the closing session on July 24th. An experienced coordinator will help guide each group as they work to find a deeper understanding of how to meet their challenge using the three pillars of the Scientific Teaching Framework (Active Learning, Inclusivity, Assessment). Participants will also reconnect as a community at a January 2026 meeting to reflect on their implementation and future plans.

Join a flexible, collaborative program to Address Challenges in teaching this summer.

The Committee

Get to know the dedicated educators behind the scenes! The ACT Committee is a passionate group of faculty and staff who design the summer experience, curating sessions, fostering community, and ensuring every moment supports your growth as a scientific educator. They're here to guide, support, and inspire you throughout the program.