The Hot Springs Institute

Frequently asked questions

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What is Community-Based/Project-Based Learning?

What do I get out of the institute?

Are we just going to be working the whole time?

What is the Wilma Dykeman Legacy?

What are the four tenets Wilma Dykeman Legacy?

What are we going to be doing all week?

What does the daily schedule look like?

Will there be food?

What are the accommodations like?

Is my subject going to be covered?

Who are the trainers?

What is the 2024 registration deadline?

What is Community-Based/Project-Based Learning?

CBL, or Challenge-Based Learning, provides an efficient and effective framework for deep and meaningful learning while solving real-world Challenges.

Why do we use them? Teaching our students how to face real-world challenges with collaboration, problem-solving, and teamwork is vital to their development. Students who succeed with challenge-based learning take those tools forward and succeed with their futures.

What do I get out of the institute?

You will go home with a solid plan to implement community-based learning projects in your school, at any level or subject.

Are we just going to be working the whole time?

While this is a professional development opportunity, we are planning to add some fun to the week. In the afternoons, we will be going on field trips around Hot Springs and the local area, discovering resources and history, sampling local food, and enjoying the sights.

What is the Wilma Dykeman Legacy?

You can learn more about that here at our page on the Wilma Dykeman site.

What are the four tenets Wilma Dykeman Legacy?

Sense of place, environmental stewardship, social justice, and storytelling. These are powerful tools to use when educating our students and creating buy-in.

What are we going to be doing all week?

We are creating your own CBL project over a week of sessions and field trips. You're going to go home with a well-thought-out action plan!

What does the daily schedule look like?

In the mornings, we have a group session, with small breaks and breakout sessions. In the afternoons, we learn more about the four Wilma Dykeman tenets (sense of place, environmental stewardship, social justice, and storytelling) through tours around Hot Springs.

Will there be food?

Yes! We have catered breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring delightful Appalachian cuisine.

What are the accommodations like?

There are a few historic homes around town that were previously affiliated with the historic Dorland-Bell school that will serve as your accommodation. It's a homey feel, complete with full bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens for your comfort.

Is my subject going to be covered?

Community-based learning projects are made from real life. Engaging events, projects, and lessons can be molded to your subjects and standards. We have a team of trainers that are from all disciplines available to help you along the way!

Who are the trainers?

We are a group of teachers from Madison County Schools (High School and Early College) covering the sciences, English, and social studies. We are committed to the mission of the Hot Springs Institute and to providing you with a helpful professional development that you can take home with you! We also like each other in real life, which helps.