"An NCHE team of Matt Pinsker, Al Jacobs, and Gerry Kohler will explore the topic of The Antebellum Years: Political, Social, and Economic Distinctions between North and South at this colloquium."

"Discover what archeology is and how we learn from what others have left behind. Participants will become archaeologists as they participate in the Archaeology: History Found in Pieces program, visit Franklin Court and hear how archaeology was used to learn about Franklin and how it plays an important role in how we interpret Franklin today. Educators will learn about teaching with primary source documents and objects, discover how archaeologists and curators use these clues to piece together history, and have the opportunity to explore Independence Park Institute’s newly opened hands-on student learning labs."

"The decision to declare ourselves an independent nation was not one that came quickly or easily. Come and learn about the politics of the American Revolution as you visit places like Carpenter’s Hall, Independence Hall and the Declaration House. Learn about the risks that were taken and the compromises that were made. Educators will go home with education materials, teacher guides, and new ideas for teaching the American Revolution in the classroom and beyond."

"Learn about material culture, see 18th century objects rarely seen by the public, tour the Todd and Bishop White houses, and talk with a curator and museum educator! Teachers from Pennsylvania and New Jersey will earn 3.5 professional development credit hours while taking a behind-the-scenes look at Independence National Historical Park. Educators will learn about teaching with primary source documents and objects, discover how curators use these clues to piece together history, and have the opportunity to explore Independence Park Institute’s newly opened hands-on student learning labs."

"At Independence National Historical Park educators will learn what paper meant to the founding of our country and 18th century America. See a printing demonstration at the Franklin Court Printing Office. Then explore the Independence Park Institute’s newly opened Benjamin Franklin: Man of Many Talents Learning Lab where teachers will try setting their names in type as well as many of Franklin’s other activities. At each location, teachers will learn about education programs and field trip opportunities."

"Elementary, middle and high school teachers from across Virginia will travel to James Madison's Montpelier for 3 1/2 days of intensive work with the We the People curriculum. The institute will feature three lectures on content from We the People, work with fellow teachers to ways to implement the curriculum in their classroom and the institute will conclude with the mock congressional hearing."

"A one day seminar on the expansion of presidential power. There will be a scholar and a mini-hearing activity."

"We the People institute, a rigorous professional development program, provides teachers the opportunity to work with constitutional scholars from a variety of disciplines. Participants complete academic readings, attend morning lectures and participate in afternoon sessions dedicated to the content and teaching methods appropriate to the We the People curriculum."

This institute, led by Thomas Dublin and Kathryn Kish Sklar of Binghamton University, will focus on the creation of the "Declaration of Sentiments" signed by delegates to the first women's rights convention, in 1848, at Seneca Falls, New York. It will also examine the document's "influence throughout American history and provide teachers with concrete strategies for preparing their students for the MCAS examinations."

This institute, led by Manisha Sinha of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, will focus on the creation of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and its "influence throughout American history and provide teachers with concrete strategies for preparing their students for the MCAS examinations."