KU Reads Teach-In explores use of ‘Orbital’ in the classroom
KU Reads: A Common Book Experience invites faculty and instructors to join the 2026 KU Reads Teach-In, an afternoon of informal discussion and faculty-led sessions to encourage integration of next year’s book selection, “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey, into curriculum and programming. The Teach-In will be held Friday, March 27, Noon-4 p.m. at the Hall Center for the Humanities.
Throughout collaborative, information-rich sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with an interdisciplinary panel of readers, as well as additional resources and support aimed at instructors planning to teach the book during the coming academic year.
Copies of the book will be available at Teach-In activities or by request via webform and familiarity with the text is not required to participate.
“This is an opportunity to learn more about the common book, share ideas, and explore how the book’s themes extend across disciplines at KU,” said Samantha Greeson, KU Libraries Common Book Librarian. “Whether you’re considering using the book in your course, or just want to explore, the Teach-In is a welcoming space to exchange ideas and learn more about how the KU Reads program connects our campus community. “
Registration is not required; however, participants who register for the teach-in by March 24 will receive lunch.
A faculty book club will also begin on April 3 for those interested in gathering to discuss “Orbital” in greater depth.
Learn more about KU Reads: A Common Book Experience or email commonbook@ku.edu with questions.
All Teach-In activities are located in the Hall Center for the Humanities Seminar Room on Friday, March 27. Participants are welcome to come and go as they are able.
Noon-1 p.m. Lunch & Discussion
Join us to talk about themes and connections with the 2026-27 Common Book, “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey. Lunch will be provided for registered participants or bring your own.
1-1:45 p.m. Connecting the Spencer’s art collection to the KU Common Book “Orbital” includes a few passages musing on Diego Velázquez’s iconic painting “Las Meninas,” but how else can art relate to conversations concerning this book? Join Kate Meyer, Associate Curator from Spencer Museum of Art to navigate works from the museum’s collection relating to themes in “Orbital” including 19th and 20th century photographic documentation of the moon, sci-fi illustration related to space travel from the 1940s and 1950s, and NASA imagery related to space flight. Meyer will also preview Spencer’s next Common Work of Art selection!
2-2:45 p.m. Teaching “Orbital”
In this session, Ali Brox, Environmental Studies Program, will share how she taught Orbital in a fall 2025 honors seminar focused on literature about climate change. She will introduce ways to approach teaching a novel and will highlight interdisciplinary themes and issues addressed in the book. The session will include examples of class activities, writing and oral presentation prompts, and assignments that she used when teaching the novel last fall. The session will conclude with time for questions and brainstorming ways to integrate the novel into your own course(s).
3-4 p.m. Interdisciplinary Panel Discussion
An interdisciplinary panel including Scott Murphy and Colin Roust from the School of Music and Alex Crayon from the English department will explore how Orbital can inspire shared conversation, connection, and engagement in the classroom across disciplines at KU.