2026 CSI Summer Conference: Teach Together

Join us for a presentation on Lewis & Clark’s contributions to our understanding of Idaho’s native plants.  From ponderosa pine and Oregon grape to wild mock orange (our state flower), shrubby penstemon and camas lily, Lewis and Clark carefully documented the native flora of our state. Also an optional tour of Orton Botanical Garden is available in the hour after the session.

Restrooms are available on-site. Parking is available either at the garden entrance or along the street in front of the house at 821 Filer Avenue West.  The left door is the classroom entrance. 

Participants will assess the health of CSI's Perinne drain according to the U of I Extension IDAH20 Master Water Stewards Protocol.  Participants will collect data on macroinvertebrates, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and temperature, and discuss ways of incorporating field learning into their curriculum for students.

This presentation will address the ongoing challenge of maintaining meaningful student engagement in fully online introductory chemistry courses. CHEM 100 at the College of Southern Idaho serves a diverse population of students—many of whom are non‑majors, returning adults, or students completing prerequisites for health‑related programs. These students often enter the course with limited confidence in science, competing life responsibilities, and a strong desire for content that feels relevant and accessible. The seminar will present practical, evidence‑based strategies for increasing engagement, improving clarity, and creating a more supportive online learning environment.

LaMar after living in Okinawa Japan for several years, as well as years collecting an extensive shell collection has developed a class that examines this collection with it's many shells, their creatures, and an educational slideshow. Class held at the Orton Botanical Garden classroom. Class is one hour, and LaMar through shell education will propose that these animals are a vital part of our environment and the different threats they face. The class will be followed by an optional garden tour.  Please note: This class is in the garden classroom.  

Restrooms are available on-site. Parking is available either at the garden entrance or along the street in front of the house at 821 Filer Avenue West.  The left door is the classroom entrance. 

This class will cover and understanding of our current water usage, our local climate, and an understanding of drought tolerant plants and how to get them established in the landscape. We will also take a walk through the gardens to look at the principles discussed in action.

The Science Communication Lab (www.sciencecommunicationlab.org) is a non-profit organization that produce high quality short and feature length science documentaries. The films feature the scientists "telling the story" of their discoveries, giving students a window int the process and wonder of science. In 2025, five high school biology teachers from around the country served as ambassadors and developed lesson plans to go with five of the short films. I chose "How to Kill a Superbug," featuring Dr. Paul Turner from Yale University. Dr. Turner studies bacteriophages--viruses that attack bacteria--and how the coevolution of bacteriophages and bacteria can be utilized to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. In this session, we will watch the short film and participate in several classroom activities to help students understand natural selection, antibiotic resistance, and the concept of evolutionary tradeoffs. The activities are designed for high school and/or undergraduate biology students. I will also give an overview of other Science Communication Lab films and resources.

Three VisChem Activities You Can Use Tomorrow
 
Many chemistry students can successfully solve problems and perform calculations while still struggling to explain what is happening at the molecular level. As instructors, we often see students memorize rules and procedures without developing a strong mental picture of how atoms, molecules, and ions behave during chemical processes.
This workshop introduces the VisChem collection of molecular visualizations and demonstrates how these resources can be used to make the invisible world of chemistry more accessible to students. Through several classroom examples, participants will explore how molecular animations can be paired with prediction, discussion, and guided inquiry activities to address common misconceptions and strengthen conceptual understanding. The session will focus on practical strategies that can be incorporated into existing General Chemistry courses with minimal preparation. Participants will leave with classroom-ready ideas and resources that can help students better connect what they see, what they measure, and what is occurring at the molecular level.

In an era of tightening budgets, great science teaching doesn’t have to come with a high cost. This collaborative session invites dual credit and high school science instructors to share creative, low-cost labs, activities, and teaching strategies that bring biology—and all science disciplines—to life. Participants will exchange practical ideas, explore resourceful approaches to common challenges, and leave with ready-to-use, budget-friendly tools that maintain rigor without breaking the bank.

All instructors that teach Early College courses for the CSI Agriculture Department are invited to bring questions and ideas to share in a round table session. We will review requirements and outcomes for Agriculture Department courses and share resources and curriculum ideas.