In today's world, students need to navigate a flood of information, separating fact from fiction.

This June, Sunday the 14th through Friday the 19th, 2026, we have been invited to collaborate with Jeff Wilhelm and Jackie Miller of the Boise State Writing Project to offer a one-week event: the "DBI² Institute: Democracy Building Instruction through Document-Based Inquiries," hosted by the Chippewa River Writing Project at CMU.

The application for the institute is open now through March 1, 2026. To be considered, please review this information about building a "document based inquiry" unit as well as the "dispositions of democracy" you would want to include. In this application, you will be asked to write a brief, 100-150-word description of the kind of unit that you would hope to create in the institute. 

We are seeking 16-20 teachers of grades 3-12 who, in addition to high-quality professional learning and gaining a network of like-minded colleagues with whom to collaborate, are eager to engage in this work. Participants will earn a $600 stipend and earn SCECH credits. Also, for those who are in need of housing, we are working to secure air-conditioned dorm rooms at CMU for the duration of the institute. 

Applications are due by March 1, 2026. Participants who are selected to be part of the institute will be notified no later than March 31, 2026. 

Questions? Please contact Dr. Troy Hicks, Director, Chippewa River Writing Project: <troy.hicks@cmich.edu>