Teaching Through Inquiry

2026 Educator Summer Institutes

Brought to you by the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement & UNR Center for Constitutional Law Present


UNR Lake Tahoe Campus | July 2026

Teaching Through Inquiry: Educator Summer Institutes brings together educators from across Nevada for immersive, inquiry-based professional learning in civics and history. Hosted at the UNR Lake Tahoe Campus by the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement in partnership with the UNR Center for Constitutional Law, this summer series offers multiple learning pathways designed to deepen instructional practice, strengthen content knowledge, and support student-centered civic learning. Each institute is grounded in research-based pedagogy, collaboration, and authentic classroom application, while also creating a shared professional community among participating educators.

Choose Your Pathway

  • We the People

    Civics in Action: Inquiry, Voice, and Constitutional Learning

    Using We the People to Teach the Constitution Through Inquiry
    July 13–17, 2026

    This institute supports educators in using the We the People curriculum to engage students in constitutional inquiry, collaborative learning, and authentic assessment. Participants explore strategies for guiding student research, facilitating deliberation and discussion, and preparing students for public demonstrations of learning through simulated congressional hearings. The institute emphasizes inquiry, student voice, and constitutional reasoning, helping teachers build classroom experiences that develop critical thinking, communication, and civic understanding.

    Apply Now

  • Advanced Teacher Leader

    Our Constitution: A Master Class in Civic Inquiry

    Advancing Constitutional Practice & Instructional Leadership
    July 19–22, 2026

    Designed for experienced educators, this advanced institute focuses on deepening constitutional content knowledge while developing instructional leadership skills. Participants engage in close study of constitutional principles and contemporary issues while learning to lead professional growth through collaborative inquiry and instructional rounds. The institute supports teachers in strengthening their own practice and building capacity to serve as mentors and leaders within their schools and professional learning communities.

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  • National History Day

    Spark Curiosity: Where Students Learn by Doing

    Connecting National History Day to Inquiry-Driven Learning
    July 23–26, 2026

    Spark Curiosity introduces educators to inquiry-based teaching through the National History Day framework. Teachers learn how to guide students through historical research, analysis of primary and secondary sources, and the creation of authentic student products. This institute emphasizes learning by doing, showing how National History Day supports literacy, critical thinking, and student engagement across grade levels and content areas.

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  • Project Community

    The Civics Lab: Student Voice. Community Impact.

    Using Project Community to Deepen Essential Civic Skills
    July 23–26, 2026

    The Civics Lab supports educators in guiding student-led civic and community-based projects using the Project Community model. Participants explore strategies for helping students identify real-world issues, conduct research, collaborate with community partners, and design meaningful civic action projects. The institute emphasizes student voice, applied civic skills, and authentic leadership opportunities that connect classroom learning to community impact.

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Program Details

Location
UNR Lake Tahoe Campus (Incline Village, NV)

Format
In-person residential institutes (see dates above)

Audience
Nevada educators across grade levels and disciplines (civics, history, ELA, CTE, electives welcome)

What to expect

  • Inquiry-based professional learning you can use immediately

  • Collaboration with educators from across Nevada

  • Time to plan lessons, projects, and next steps

  • Ongoing support through the year (PLC pathway information)

If your stipend/credits differ by institute, add one simple line here:
Stipends & credit: Available; details vary by institute (see application pages).

Questions? Contact the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement at engage@nvcce.org.

People-First Approach

Build student thinking through questions, evidence, and discussion

Why Teaching Through Inquiry?

A Focus on Essential & Durable Skills

Strengthen literacy, reasoning, and communication through authentic tasks

Student Voice

Support student voice through meaningful civic and historical learning

Summer at Lake Tahoe

Learn in community through collaboration with educators statewide in a residential campus experience

““This is more than professional development, it is a true community of practice””
— -Rick Trachok, UNR Center for Constitutional Law

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No—each institute has its own application. We encourage you to apply for the institute that makes the most sense for you.

  • Yes, space permitting. Submit an application for each institute you’re interested in. Please email us at engage@nvcce.org to let us know your order of preference.

  • Participants stay on campus and engage in a full institute schedule each day. Please make the appropriate arrangements to be present and on campus for your entire institute.

  • Yes! We believe strongly in providing professional compensation for your time, effort, and energy. Each institute includes up to a $1000 stipend, $300 in classroom supplies, textbooks required, and up to 60 hours of professional learning credit.

Questions? Contact the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement at engage@nvcce.org.