Indiana Early College Summit 2026

As Early College programs work to bridge the gap between high school and higher education, Place-Based Education (PBE) offers a powerful way to make learning relevant, rigorous, and deeply connected to students’ lived experiences. This session explores how teachers from all disciplines can use local environments, community partners, and real-world contexts to strengthen academic learning while promoting a strong college-going culture. The workshop will highlight flexible, low-prep strategies for integrating place-based learning into English, math, science, social studies, arts, and CTE courses. Educators will explore practical examples such as local data investigations, community storytelling, neighborhood mapping, and partnerships with nearby institutions—activities that deepen critical thinking and make academic content feel purposeful.