This summer, CourseKata hosted its highly anticipated Summer Institute, bringing together thoughtful educators from diverse backgrounds to explore innovative approaches to teaching statistics and data science. From graduate students new to teaching to experienced professors, participants engaged in a transformative experience centered around CourseKata’s modeling approach.

Icy Zhang, PhD, one of the institute's lead facilitators, emphasized the importance of building a community of educators committed to improving statistics education. “This institute was not just about showcasing our research-based approach to teaching statistics but about creating a space where educators could experience learning with the materials themselves,” said Zhang. The diverse mix of participants sparked dynamic conversations on the future of teaching, with a strong focus on equity and inclusivity.

Participants left the institute with a deep appreciation for the thoughtfully structured learning environment. One attendee remarked, "The way this was run was SO thoughtful and intentional! From the well-defined roles of each organizer to the particular examples chosen, to the distributed practice, to the scaffolding of the exercises, it was an incredible learning environment. I had no idea what to expect going into this, and it ended up being one of the best professional development experiences I've ever had."

According to the post-event survey, the institute made a significant impact on participants' confidence in using Jupyter Notebooks for teaching. Before the institute, only 12.5% of participants rated their confidence as 4 or higher, but this figure grew to 52% after the institute. Additionally, 88% of participants expressed that they would recommend or highly recommend the Summer Institute to their colleagues for next year, underscoring the value they found in the program.

The institute also addressed the challenge of adopting new teaching techniques. While some educators initially found the transition to a modeling approach daunting, the institute’s practical exercises tempered the learning curve. “We understand it can be difficult to adopt new methods, but many instructors were eager to explore and learn,” added Zhang.

As the institute concluded, the enthusiasm was palpable. Educators left with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to implement what they learned in their classrooms. The institute’s emphasis on modern techniques and community building ensures that its impact will continue to resonate in the future of statistics and data science education.

For educators interested in innovative teaching methods, the Summer Institute offers an amazing opportunity to grow, connect, and be inspired. As one participant put it, “If you’re passionate about improving how we teach statistics, this is the place to start.”