Transformed

Thanks to the Class of 1957 Faculty Enrichment Fund, Nancy Diehl, Ph.D. attended a four-day intensive AP Psychology workshop with the AP Institute last summer. There, she developed a curriculum focused on teaching research design and statistics in engaging, accessible ways and had opportunities to test and refine her materials alongside other educators.

One innovative strategy Diehl developed involved applying principles of memory to research design by linking each of five research designs to distinctive campus locations and objects. On the first day of class, students walked through different campus locations, beginning in the dining hall with a fiery edible volcano. Diehl introduced case studies to illustrate key concepts for volcanic eruptions and the impact of rare and unusual events. Creating memorable metaphors resonated with students and brought complex concepts to life.

Another benefit of the workshop was the friendships and professional relationships she formed — especially one with a teacher from Bolivia who helped design the slides for her new curriculum. “We continue to collaborate today,” Diehl said. With access to more engaging activities for teaching psychology, national and international collaborations, and involvement in ongoing research, she added, “This was probably the most professionally transformative summer of my 25-year career.”