Lightning Talks are 15-minute peer-reviewed mini-sessions to learn about creative teaching ideas that colleagues have implemented. The talks are designed to provide brief introductions and explanations of the idea followed by a question and answer period. Talks are presented multiple times, providing participants the opportunity to hear multiple presentations.

Topics for this year’s lightning talks include:

Table 1: Boost Student Engagement by Using Anticipation Guides

Jesse Melvin, Economics, Rowan University

Anticipation guides are surveys administered at the start and end of a lesson. Students become initially invested in the material and then reflect after learning.

Table 2: Power-Up Learning: Accessible & Meaningful Game Based Approaches for Today’s Classrooms

Ksenia Power, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University

Gamification enhances learning experience where all students explore and practice content, gain depth of understanding, and master materials in an engaging and positive environment.

Table 3: Wellness Meets Performance: What Students Reveal

Jazmine Tooles, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University

Come discuss how intentional class activities/energizers can enhance student connectedness in (and out) of the classrooms and boost classroom participation.

Table 4: Innovation of Science Communication Through Art

Carsten Skarke, Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Transforming science into art equips students with strong communication skills through critical thinking, creativity, confidence, character development. We present implementation, outcomes and factors of success.

Table 5: AI + Design Thinking: Preparing Students for Creative Futures

Dasanj Aberdeen, Engineering, Temple University 

Explore how integrating AI literacy with design thinking empowers students to ideate, prototype, and problem-solve ethically while preparing for an evolving professional landscape.

Table 6: AI on Trial: ChatGPT vs. Grok on Musk’s $56B Case

Ning Zi “Nancy”, Accounting, Delaware State University

A live comparison of ChatGPT and Grok predicting Delaware’s ruling on Elon Musk’s $56B pay case reveals how AI bias shapes reasoning and interpretation.

Table 7: From Strangers to Classmates: The Impact of Knowing Names

Geoff DiMasi, Management, Temple University

A simple name-learning activity helps students feel seen, known, and connected—transforming classroom climate, strengthening relationships, and improving engagement and the quality of their work.

Table 8: Beyond the Exam: Assessing Understanding Through Student Created Podcasts

Raymond Ankrum, Policy, Organizational and Leadership, Temple University

Replace traditional exams with student-produced podcasts. This strategy deepens content mastery, develops oral communication, and fosters authentic engagement with course material.

Table 9: Laying the Groundwork: Designing Math Foundations

Moira Kirby, Student Success Center, Temple University

Following a series of stakeholder conversations in Spring 2025, Math Foundations was developed by the Student Success Center to support the mathematical needs of students enrolled in introductory quantitative courses.  Insights regarding research to practice, peer-tutoring, and program design will be discussed.

Table 10: Pick a Card: Using Simple Card Magic for Classroom Engagement

Steve Ryan, Advertising & Public Relations, Temple University 

Magic can be a fun way to engage students in classroom concepts. Attendees will learn a simple card trick they can adapt to their disciplines.

Table 11: Playful Mistakes: Teaching Through Failure and Stupidity to Increase Engagement

Sezgin Ciftci, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Temple University

This talk explores a creative and counterintuitive approach to teaching—using intentional playful mistakes and the philosophy of “stupidity” to increase student engagement and motivation.

Table 12: Supporting the Development of Writing Skills Via Flipped Classroom Design

Sarah Heuckeroth, Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships- Youth Employment Project, Temple University