AP Summer Institute - Belin-Blank Center

AP^® Summer Institute

Advanced Placement (AP^®) courses introduce high school students to academically challenging material and then give them an opportunity to earn college credit by taking AP^® exams. The AP^® Summer Institute (APSI) prepares new and current AP^® teachers to develop and teach an AP^® course.

About the Program

The AP^® Summer Institute is designed for:

teachers who want to learn to teach AP^® courses in one of the content areas;
current AP^® teachers;
teachers of gifted and talented students, and gifted program coordinators; and
teachers and administrators wishing to learn how to establish Advanced Placement programs at their local schools or school districts.

In addition to discussing questions about AP^® subject-area content, teachers will receive an overview of the Advanced Placement program and learn how to successfully complete the College Board's required AP^® Course Audit.

APSI will have two on-campus sessions and one online for summer 2023.

On-Campus

APSI session I: June 26 - 29, 2023, Central Time.

APSI session II: July 10 - 13, 2023, Central Time.

Online

APSI Session III: July 17 - 20, 2023, Central Time.

The Advanced Placement Program is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges/universities to provide college-level learning experiences to students who have not yet graduated from high school. Almost all colleges and universities consider AP^® exam results for both admissions and college credit. AP^® introduces high school students to academically challenging material, and then gives them an opportunity to show what they have learned by taking AP^® exams, considered the national standard in each content area.

All APSI instructors are College Board-Endorsed AP^® Consultants.

Courses

Session I: On-campus (June 26-29, 2023)

AP^® Biology: Ruth Gleicher
AP^® English Language & Composition: Sara Crump
AP^® Physics I: Jeff Funkhouser CANCELLED

Session II: On-campus (July 10-13, 2023)

AP^® Calculus AB: Mike Koehler
AP^® Chemistry: Leslie McSparrin
AP^® English Literature & Composition: Maridella Carter
AP^® Government & Politics: Brian Stevens
AP^® Psychology: Jessica Flitter
AP^® Spanish Langauge & Composition: Jennifer Zachman
AP^® Statistics: Dave Ferris
AP^® US History: Paul Dickler

Session III: Online (July 17-20, 2023)

AP^® English Language & Composition: Sherry Perdue
AP^® Computer Science & Principles: Joe Greenawalt
AP^® Macroeconomics: Matthew Pedlow
AP^® Psychology: Dana Melone
AP^® Spanish Language & Composition: Lourdes Rodriguez-Von Vogt
AP^® US History: Tim Greene
AP^® World History: Branden Schield

Even if you are not going to teach an AP^® class, the content and methods from the APSI at the Belin-Blank Center open up a myriad of teaching possibilities. I admit it---I was so energized about content after attending APSI!!

Jill Schany, APSI participant from Emmetsburg High School

How to Register

Want to join us? We're here to help with all the information you will need in order to register.

Registration Process

Here's how to register:

Scroll down to the "Ready to Register" section and click the Register button. This will take you to our registration form on Cvent.
Complete the registration form for your selected class.
To pay, please contact Dominic Balestrieri-Fox (apsi@belinblank.org) at the Belin-Blank Center. Please note that your registration is not valid until payment is received. If payment arrangements have not been finalized by the first day of class, your registration will be dropped. If you are the recipient of a College Board scholarship, please share that information.
Payments received AFTER the grace period (see "Dates & Deadlines" section) will be charged the late registration fee.
Participants or schools can make payments via check, purchase order, or credit card. More details on making a payment can found in the "COST" section.
If you'd like to apply for a $500 grant for Iowa teachers, offered by the Iowa Online AP Academy, submit a completed application form to apsi@belinblank.org by the date listed in "Dates and Deadlines" above. The Iowa teacher grants are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible teachers (see "Financial Aid" section). Grants for Iowa teachers are offered for BOTH our in-person and online APSI.

Optional (see "After You've Registered" below for details; additional fees apply):

Cost

The early registration class fee for all AP Summer Institute courses is $699 per session. Registration fees received after the early bird registration deadline will be $825 per session.

Early registration ends May 26, 2023 at 5PM CST

Late registration ends June 16, 2023 at 5PM CST

The registration fee includes:

30 hours of classroom content time from experienced and highly-qualified consultants
Course materials and sample textbooks
Lunch and snacks
Certificate of Participation

Academic credit, travel, parking, and lodging expenses are the responsibility of the participant and are NOT included in the APSI registration fee.

Payment Deadlines & Details

You must pay in full by the first day of APSI to attend.

All fees are payable to the Belin-Blank Center. Participants or schools can make payments via check, purchase order, or credit card. It is the responsibility of the individual registrant or school district to initiate payment.

Refund policy and Cancellation fee:

There will be a $100 cancellation fee for requests received up to three weeks before the start of class. There are no refunds after this period.

Paying by check:

Mail check to:

Belin-Blank Center APSI, ATTN: Dominic Balestrieri-Fox, 600 Blank Honors Center, Iowa City, IA 52242

Paying by purchase order (PO):

Request a PO from your Business Office. The PO should include a note that it is for APSI and addressed to:

Belin-Blank Center
600 Blank Honors Center
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242

Attn: Bridget Pauley

Email and attach the completed purchase order to: bridget-pauley@uiowa.edu. You will receive back an invoice with the PO cited.

Paying by credit card:

Please contact us either via email (apsi@belinblank.org) or at (319) 335-6148 between the hours of 9:00am and 12:00pm (CST) or 1:30pm and 5:00pm (CST) to submit payment via credit card.

Financial Aid

Financial Assistance

Belin-Blank Center APSI Grant (for Iowa teachers only)

Iowa teachers are eligible for a grant from the Belin-Blank Center's Iowa Online AP Academy to attend APSI at a reduced cost. Preference will be given to those who have not received the grant during the past three summers. Grant applications are only considered for individuals who have paid the full APSI fee. If paying for the course in advance is a problem, please contact the Belin-Blank Center.

Eligible Iowa teachers must complete a grant application form to be considered. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The first round of grant scholarships will be determined by mid-April. Teachers who are selected at this time for the grant will be notified and a refund of $500 of the registration fee will be given. Those who do NOT receive notification in mid-April might be awarded a grant in future rounds.

Pre-service University of Iowa Teacher Reduced Fee

Pre-service teachers currently studying at the University of Iowa are also eligible to attend APSI at a reduced fee. Contact apsi@belinblank.org to pursue this option.

College Board Scholarships

The College Board offers scholarships to attend APSI: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/awards/ap-grants. Please contact the College Board for questions about scholarships.

IMPORTANT: Individuals who receive the pre-service Iowa Teacher Reduced Fee or a College Board Scholarship are NOT eligible for funds through the Belin-Blank Center APSI Grant.

Ready to Register?

On-Campus

Online

Photos

After You've Registered

Come prepared for APSI to energize and excite you about teaching your AP^® course! Here are all the details you'll need while making your plans to join us.

Before the Event

Be sure to read any communication from your instructor. Some instructors assign homework to be completed by the first day of class.

Academic Credit Options

Teachers who register for APSI may pursue additional opportunities for graduate-level academic credit (additional fees and registration required). University credit is not included in the cost of APSI, but a substantial scholarship from the Belin-Blank Center will support a portion of the tuition.

Courses Available

Teachers who register for APSI can enroll in one or both of the following graduate-level courses from the University of Iowa, with an automatic 50% graduate tuition scholarship:

Teacher Training AP Courses (EDTL: 5080:0WKA); 2 semester hours of graduate credit
- "Earn academic credit for your work at APSI! For this course, you must complete your APSI class, as well as any additional work your APSI instructor assigns. If enrolled in this course, you will earn two hours of credit toward the State of Iowa Talented and Gifted Endorsement (programming strand)."
Differentiation at the Secondary Level (EDTL:4074:0WKA); 1 hour of graduate credit
- "High-ability secondary students need differentiation rooted in the content area under study. Advanced Placement is reviewed as one option for gifted secondary students; alternatives from dual enrollment to mentoring and Open Courseware are explored. Options link student abilities/needs to curriculum applications. This course is online, so you can learn from anywhere!"

How to Enroll

Enrolling for academic credit is a two-step process:

Register with the University of Iowa
Enroll in the appropriate course (course numbers are listed above)

Review this link for more information

Please complete both the university registration and course enrollment processes online before you arrive at APSI.

Payment for academic credit is NOT collected by the APSI team at the Belin-Blank Center. Participants seeking credit will pay the University of Iowa directly.

For more information about academic credit options, contact our professional development team (educators@belinblank.org) at the Belin-Blank Center.

Iowa Licensure Renewal Units

Teachers who register for APSI may also register for Iowa licensure renewal units through the University of Iowa's Teacher Leader Center (additional $180 fee and registration required). Successful completion of an APSI class qualifies for two licensure units.

Payment for renewal units is NOT collected by the APSI team at the Belin-Blank Center. Participants seeking these units will pay the Baker Teacher Leader Center directly.

For instructions on registering for Iowa licensure renewal units, see: How to Register for Iowa Licensure Renewal Units. For other questions about Iowa Licensure Renewal Units please contact Kari Vogelgesang (kari-vogelgesang@uiowa.edu).

Daily Schedule

The University of Iowa's Belin-Blank Center is hosting two APSIs. All APSIs MUST have 30 hours of contact.

The final schedule for an on-campus week will be shared by your instructor the first day of class. There is time for lunch and breaks.

When APSI is held remotely on-line, there will be a mix of whole group, small group, one-on-one with instructor, and independent activities during this time.

The final schedule for an online week will be shared by your instructor the first day of class. There is time for lunch and breaks.

Visiting Iowa City

Arrival/Departure

The June 28-July 1 2022 APSI classes will be held on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City. Location and directions to specific classes will be provided to registered participants prior to the start of APSI. APSI's "home base" is the Blank Honors Center, located near the intersection of Clinton Street and Market Street. Other building information can be located on the maps page by hovering or searching for the designated building.

A campus map of the University of Iowa can be found on the University of Iowa website.

Parking

Parking is not included in the APSI registration fee.

For campus parking information, click here. The closest campus parking options to APSI classrooms include the North Campus Parking Ramp and the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Parking Ramp. Visitor Parking Coupons, which reduce the graduated rate to the standard rate, are available and will be distributed during APSI.

City ramps that are closest to APSI classrooms include the Iowa City Tower Place Ramp and the Iowa City Capitol Street Ramp. Both ramps and meters allow for payment via cash or credit cards.

Free street parking in downtown neighborhoods is available several blocks to the east of the Belin-Blank Center.

Lodging

The Belin-Blank Center has organized a special rate for APSI attendees at the Iowa House Hotel on campus. It is walking distance to the Belin-Blank Center and campus.

When you call and make a reservation, you can adjust the dates of your stay.

Iowa House Hotel

$95 per night (NO fee for parking and includes continental breakfast)

Call the hotel and use the code "541965" for the June APSI week.

Call the hotel and use the code "871151" for the July APSI week.

319-335-3513

Website

The codes will no longer work on the website 14 days prior to the start date. The Iowa House Hotel will still honor the rate but availability will be first come first serve.

There are many other hotels close to campus. The hotels in neighboring Coralville tend to be a bit cheaper, but they are NOT walking distance to campus.

Dining

While lunch is included in APSI registration cost, other meals are not. There are several restaurants within walking distance to campus. The Iowa City Downtown District provides a list of area restaurants.