2026 May Kick Off Event

Save the Dates: May 19-22, 2026

Overview

The SEISMIC Phase Two Kick Off Event will take place May 19-22, 2026 in Ann Arbor, MI at the University of Michigan. The purpose of this conference is to launch our Phase Two efforts, which include a disciplinary focus on STEM assessment reform. This conference will provide opportunities to learn about alternative approaches to course assessments, build community across disciplines and institutions, and explore how we measure equitable and effective outcomes in STEM courses. Please see our Program, linked below, for details. Information will continue being added to the Program as it becomes available.

Program (in progress)

Schedule At a Glance

TUESDAY, MAY 19

12 – 5 pm ET

Pre-Conference Session: Generative AI for Assessment

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

8 am – 5 pm ET

Full Day Conference

THURSDAY, MAY 21

8 am – 5 pm ET

Full Day Conference

FRIDAY, MAY 22

No conference sessions. Participants depart.

Participants

Each partner institution may send at least 10 participants to the Kick Off Event (funds for travel and hosting are provided by SEISMIC):

• 8 instructors / staff members involved in introductory STEM courses (including graduate student instructors)
• 1 institutional researcher comfortable working with student performance and demographic data
• 1 SEISMIC Campus Liaison (or delegate) to represent the institution in SEISMIC-level discussions

If you fall into one of the above categories (instructor / staff / institutional researcher / Campus Liaison) and would like to attend, please contact your Campus Liaison (listed on our Institutions webpage) as soon as possible to let them know. SEISMIC will be reaching out to Campus Liaisons for their participant lists in mid March. After this, SEISMIC will reach out to you to complete registration and assist with your travel arrangements.

Additional spots are available for:

• Undergraduate students at our partner institutions who are involved in STEM education reform and who are eager to attend and provide input on our alternative assessment plans
• Staff in teaching centers or related units at our partner institutions who are eager to attend and help to shape how our Disciplinary Teams will function

If this describes you (undergraduate student / teaching center staff), please reach out to Project Manager Nita Tarchinski (nitaked@umich.edu) by April 1, 2026 to express your interest!