Register:
https://www.socialstudies.org/professional-learning/2025-idm-summer-institute
Sponsored by C3 Teachers and National Council for the Social Studies, the 11th Annual IDM Summer Institute welcomes educators from across the country to DC this July!
We are excited to help teachers explore inquiry-based teaching, the Inquiry Design Model (IDM), and designing inquiries in particular. The institute will be held at the Courtyard Washington Capital Hill / Navy Yard Hotel in Washington, DC, located near the National Museum of the United States Navy and of course all of the other amazing educational and cultural institutions that downtown DC has to offer. We are really looking forward to seeing folks in-person to inquiry about inquiry. There’s no better place than our nation's capital to examine how we can use questions to invigorate teaching learning.
Agenda: Day 1: From the IDM Show to Building Block Inquiries (BBI)
We'll kick off with a deep dive into our latest work: Building Block Inquiries, a powerful new strategy designed to bring inquiry within reach for all teachers and students. Whether you're new to IDM or a seasoned practitioner, you'll leave with classroom-ready tools that bring the C3 Framework to life.
This year, we are featuring our latest project in collaboration with the Library of Congress. The Building Blocks of Inquiry Project mixes three key ingredients - IDM, Library of Congress resources, and Trust - to help teacher leaders create fresh, innovative lessons we call "Inquiry Stacks." These stacks are collections of hands-on exercises that spark different approaches to inquiry learning. Each one stands alone as a building block, and together, they form a powerful stack centered on using sources to tell historical stories.
Day 2: Spotlight on Innovation
Day 2 of the IDM Institute dives into big ideas to energize your inquiry practice. We'll explore how AI can be a powerful thinking partner for teachers and students, helping them ask better questions and dig deeper into sources. You'll also discover creative ways to bring inquiry to life in elementary classrooms, making big thinking accessible for young learners. Plus, we'll share fresh strategies to kickstart your Academy journey with energy and inspiration.
Harnessing AI to support student thinking
Inquiry in the elementary classroom
Plus: fresh ideas to prime your Academy journey
Get inspired as we showcase what's next in inquiry-based social studies. As always, the IDM Institute is more than a training - it's a community of curious, committed educators who believe in the power of questions to transform classrooms.
Why Attend?
Learn directly from the creators of the Inquiry Design Model
Collaborate with educators from across the country
Leave with tools, resources, and renewed energy
Get a front-row seat to emerging work from the C3 Teachers network
Let's make this the most impactful IDM Institute yet! See you this summer!
You may also like the following events from National Council for the Social Studies:
- This Wednesday, 25th June, 12:00 pm, 2025 NCSS Summer Virtual Conference in Silver Spring, Maryland
- Next month, 14th July, 08:00 am, 2025 NCSS Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) in Kansas City
- This December, 5th December, 07:00 am, 105th NCSS Annual Conference: Because Democracy Depends On It in Washington
Also check out other
Workshops in Washington.
