DEN Summer Institute 2025 - Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
There is no registration fee, but educators are responsible for ALL travel costs to and from the summer institute. Discovery Education will pay for lodging and meals once you are at DENSI.
Will I receive CEU credit for attending?
You will receive a certificate of attendance which you can submit to your school/district for credit. Please work with them to determine how it will be accepted. If you need supporting letters or material, the Community team is happy to assist.
How do I get to Loyola?
Chicago has two airports: Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW). Attendees frequently carpool from the airport to the DENSI site. Your Discovery Education Community Team does not facilitate travel arrangements of attendees.
Is renting a car sensible?
That is totally up to you, but it will be sitting in a parking lot for 99% of the week. This is a residential style professional development event, and attendees are expected to remain with the group.
Parking Permits
If you are local to the Chicago area and are planning to drive to the conference, Discovery Education will provide a parking permit when you check in for the event. Please note that a rental car will not be needed during the conference as all event transportation will be provided. If you are flying to Chicago, we encourage attendees to organize ride shares, take Uber/Lyft, or you can find instructions for public transportation to Loyola. If taking Uber/Lyft, here is an estimate of costs to Loyola:
- From O'Hare: Approximately $45.00 - $50.00 Uber/Lyft
- From Midway: Approximately $45.00 - $50.00 Uber/Lyft
Discovery Education is paying for lodging. So, do I get my own room?
Yes, all attendees will have their own bedrooms and bathrooms. Some of the dorm styles will have shared common space (living room).
I’m not really into sleeping in dorms. Can I get a hotel room?
No, please plan to remain with the group in dorms. Part of the experience is the time spent together networking. We have paid for your room and meals in advance, so your full participation is expected. (Trust us, you’re going to love it.)
Do the dorms have air conditioning?
Yes!
I have a special diet. Will I have to bring my own food?
Feel free to pack some of your favorite snacks, but any special dietary needs will be accommodated by the dining hall staff at Loyola. Be sure to indicate your dietary restrictions on the registration form.
What is the dress code?
Casual dress - jeans, shorts, t-shirts, etc.
When are the general start and end times so I can plan my travel?
We will begin at approximately 5 PM CT on Monday July 21 and end by 1 PM CT on Friday July 25. Please plan your travel so that you are part of the entire event.
Will there be a place to store my luggage before the event starts on Monday and on the last day of the event after check out?
Yes, we will have a place for you to store your luggage.
We start DENSI on Monday at 5pm CT, but I want to fly in the day before. Will Discovery Education pay for my room on Sunday?
No. We will cover lodging on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
When can I expect a detailed agenda?
We cater the agenda to those attending and will use the information in your registration to design a meaningful conference. You can expect a detailed agenda by July 1.
I’ve never been to Chicago, IL and want to go sightseeing or go out for dinner and a baseball game. Can I leave DENSI and go exploring?
We have planned outings as a group and have paid for all of your meals in advance. It is our expectation that you take part in the activities and meals with the other attendees. If you want to experience more of the Chicago flavor, consider getting to town early or staying a few days later.
Can I bring a guest with me (e.g., spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend)?
We do not accommodate additional guests at the Summer Institute. DENSI is an intensive professional development and networking experience.
Can I arrive late or leave early?
Full participation is expected - this means arriving at the beginning of Summer Institute and staying until the end. If you are not able to fully participate in the institute, please consider attending other Discovery Education events throughout the year or a future Summer Institute.
How is DENSI pronounced?
Think DEN - es - eye and you will have it right.
What does a typical day at the Institute look like?
DENSI is an immersive conference-like experience. However, it is not a typical education conference like those run at a state or national level. Most days will begin at 8am with activities and sessions planned into the early evening. We understand that this is a lot to take in and will include breaks throughout the days.
Our agendas are designed to meet the needs of the participants. During the registration process, participants are asked to share what they are most interested in learning about, and we develop our schedule based on their feedback.
While we expect attendees to participate and stay engaged throughout the programming, if there is a medical or situational concern, we encourage attendees to connect with the Discovery Education team.
I have a question, who can I ask?
Email the Community Team at DECommunity@discoveryed.com.