AI Agents and Custom Chatbots

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Workshop Dates

Tuesday August 4, 2026:  Main Workshop and Small Groups -- 12 PM - 4 PM Central Time

Wednesday, August 5, 2026: Working Groups Session -- 12 PM - 2 PM Central Time

Thursday, August 6, 2026: Participants Showcase & Wrap Up -- 12 PM - 2 PM Central Time

Registration

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NOTE: Registration will close at 5:00 PM EDT on Monday, August 3.

Workshop Scope

The purpose of this workshop is to explore how AI agents and custom chatbots can be designed and deployed to support the integration of computational activities into physics courses, spanning the spectrum from introductory to advanced. Building on last year's exploration of large language models, this interactive event shifts from general-purpose AI toward purpose-built tools—custom chatbots, GPTs, and agentic workflows tailored to your courses, your students, and your pedagogical goals. We'll address the critical questions, opportunities, and pitfalls at the intersection of AI, pedagogy, and computational activities development. Whether you're AI-savvy, AI-curious, AI-skeptical, or anywhere in between, this workshop offers participants multiple entry points to build and wield these tools responsibly and creatively. And even if you suspect your custom chatbot is quietly plotting to take over your gradebook—or worse, your research program—you should take part in this event!

Who Should Attend

• Faculty teaching physics at any level (introductory, including high school, to advanced)
• Educators curious about AI’s role in modern pedagogy
• Educators aiming to keep their physics courses current and resilient in the face of emerging technologies

Program for Tuesday (using Central Time)

• 12:00 - 12:10: Welcome / Intro
• 12:10 -1:15: Session 1: What can we do with AI Agents?  (examples from the workshop organizers)
• 1:15 - 1:20: Break
• 1:20 - 2:20: Session 2: How do these IA Agents work?  (learn the lingo and the tricks)
• 2:20 - 2:30: Break
• 2:30 - 3:40: Session 3: Getting started using AI Agents for yourself!  (small groups)
• 3:40 - 4:00: Wrap Up

Workshop Coordinators

Larry Engelhardt, Francis Marion University (contact: lengelhardt@fmarion.edu)

Walter Freeman, Syracuse University (contact: wafreema@syr.edu)

George Moschelli, Lawrence Technological University (contact: gmoschell@ltu.edu)

Kelly Roos, Bradley University (contact: rooster@bradley.edu)

Jay Wang, University of Massachussetts Dartmouth (contact: jwang@umassd.edu)

Todd Zimmerman, University of Wisconsin Stout (contact: zimmermant@uwstout.edu)

Steve Spicklemire, University of Indianapolis (contact: spicklemire@uindy.edu)