Summer Institute for Global Educators
The free online Summer Institute for Global Educators, with the support of the National Resource Center Program, allows in-service and pre-service secondary educators in all subject areas to develop courses and lesson plans with enhanced global and regional studies content. Through synchronous online sessions and asynchronous learning opportunities, the Summer Institute helps educators to enhance global learning and teaching in their classrooms. Educators from Title I and Title III schools are especially encouraged to apply. Participating Pennsylvania teachers apply for Act 48 credits.
The next iteration is expected for summer 2026, with the call for proposals opening in late fall or winter 2025.
Past iterations presentation video:
Summer Institute for Global Educators 2021
The Summer Institute in 2021 focused on helping participating educators in globalizing the curriculum. Experts from various disciplines shared content and best practices for enriching the curriculum with global and international studies content.
Summer Institute for Global Educators 2022
Sessions included the use of film and media, simulations, games, and technology to enhance global learning and teaching. Synchronous and asynchronous daily sessions were offered with time built in for participating educators of similar disciplines to collaborate and develop activities and lesson plans from the institute's offerings.
Summer Institute for Global Educators 2024: Educating for Global Resilience
Global conflicts, climate change, and unequal development challenge both societal and personal resilience by causing displacement, restricting resources, and counteracting efforts for a renewable world. Whether in urban or rural areas, people across the world grapple with creating sustainable livelihoods, ecosystems, social infrastructures, and economies. If resilience can be defined as the competence to reduce precarity during a crisis and build a more thriving society after, how can we best encourage students to learn about and become agents for global resilience? Two tracks were offered entitled "Building Resilience in the Classroom" and "Teaching Global Conflicts."
Past iterations educator developed curriculum materials:
Curriculum materials from the 2022 Summer Institute
Curriculum materials from the 2024 Summer Institute
SIGE 2024 Testimonials
"SIGE has provided me with a better understanding of some of the experiences, and likewise emotions and behaviors that accompany the learners in the classroom. Beyond this understanding, SIGE has also provided me with tools to help my students build resilience and become more engaged in the curriculum. SIGE was one of the best PD I have participated in during my almost 20 years in public education." - Danielle Thomas
"Programs offered by UCIS like the Summer Institute and other professional development are critical in helping teachers create lessons that are grounded in solid content. There is a need for high-quality, content-specific programming in international and global studies to support teachers whose credentialing programs often did not focus on these topics. UCIS programming allows me to take time to reflect on my curriculum and create lessons that not only benefit but are also reflective of my diverse and bright student population." - Amy Palo