Dr. Nick Roster and Dr. Tanja Wittrock, NMC Biology instructors, recently traveled to St. Louis, Missouri to attend a 3-Day POGIL Summer Workshop. The event took, which took place July 21st – 23rd, was designed for both new POGIL users and those with prior experience using POGIL in the classroom. POGIL stands for Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning. Its student-centric model is designed to allow self-managed teams of students construct knowledge through specially designed activities while the instructor acts as a facilitator.

This professional development opportunity was funded by CIE. Here’s what Tanja and Nick had to say about the experience: 

What was the name of the conference/PD opportunity you attended?

The POGIL Project Summer Workshop

When and where did the event take place?

Washington University in St. Louis (July 21-July 23, 2025)

Please share details from a memorable keynote speaker, conference session, or something else notable from the event:

Attending the POGIL Continuing Education Conference was a valuable experience that deepened my understanding of student-centered learning, not just in the college biology classroom, but really any teaching setting. One particularly notable aspect was the opportunity to collaborate with fellow instructors on designing guided inquiry activities that promote critical thinking and teamwork.

How likely are you to recommend this opportunity to a colleague? 

Very Likely

Do you have any big takeaways that you’ll be applying to your pedagogy in the near future?

The hands-on workshops and discussions emphasized how to create more inclusive and engaging learning environments by shifting the focus from lecture-based instruction to structured group learning. I left the conference with practical strategies I’m excited to implement in my courses to better support student learning and engagement.

Is there anything else you’d like CIE or your NMC colleagues to know about this experience?

Yes- St. Louis is HOT in July!! And, POGIL is an incredibly valuable tool for fostering student engagement through structured, inquiry-based learning. It offers practical strategies that are easy to adapt and truly enhance how students interact with course material and each other.

Tanja & Nick took Swoop along for just a few photo opportunities.