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SUMMER ACT

Addressing Challenges in Teaching

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Each summer, we invite you to join us for ACT, as we form 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 July 14 - July 31, 2026

Opening Session

July 14, 2026

2:00-4:00 pm ET

Registration is open until June 19, 2026

Closing Session

July 31, 2026

1:00-2:30 pm ET

NIST ACT
SUMMER PROGRAM

2026 Topics

Group Work

Developing critical thinking skills for today's student

Teaching with others (team-teaching, multi-section, TAs, LAs) 

Grading Strategies

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

AI Literacy for 

Faculty and Students

AI as a Teaching Assistant

Designing Assignments for an AI-Enabled Environment

Building Student Ownership of the Learning Experience

AI and Assessment Alignment

Academic Integrity in the Age of AI

ACT

Each summer, the National Institute on Scientific Teaching hosts a 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 July 14. 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 in late July. 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 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.

Supported by the National Science Foundation and Howard Hughes Medical Institute

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Copyright © 2025. National Institute on Scientific Teaching.
All rights reserved. 

Questions? Contact us at nationalinstituteonST@gmail.com

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