Discover how STEM goes beyond traditional math and science. This interactive session helps teachers find hidden STEM jobs, and plan learning pathways for students of all grades, from early exposure to high school specialization. Educators will leave with a wide range of tools they need to help every student believe that they can succeed in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will uncover a wide range of STEM-connected careers, begin to map learning pathways from elementary to high school, and leave with ready-to-use tools assisting teachers in helping students see themselves as capable problem-solvers with real-world futures in STEM..

SPEAKERS:
Kia Thomas, Randy Kolset

This presentation explores how AI can support student sensemaking by guiding learners through the process of building models from regional, relevant datasets. Participants will see how interdisciplinary connections between science and statistics can be strengthened when students use AI as a scaffold to develop spreadsheet formulas, test predictions, and refine hypotheses. Rather than conducting analysis for them, AI prompts students with guiding questions and formula structures that empower them to explore correlations and relationships independently. This approach emphasizes student agency, encouraging learners to make predictions, brainstorm modeling strategies, and iteratively improve their work. By situating the activity in regional contexts, the project ensures relevance and authenticity, helping students connect data patterns to real-world phenomena. Educators will leave with strategies for integrating AI into classroom projects that deepen inquiry, foster statistical reasoning,

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will go on a data adventure exploring real datasets, uncovering variable relationships, and using AI as a supportive tool. This journey, appropriate for grades 6-12, deepens inquiry, strengthens modeling skills, and inspires more meaningful, data-driven learning.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Stirling, Lora Gibbons, Theresa Goltermann

Explore how Invention Education (IE) and the Engineering Design Process (EDP) can be used in the classroom to engage students in hands-on, real-world problem solving while building creativity, collaboration, and essential 21st-century skills. Participants will work through a real-world problem utilizing the Engineering Design Process to invent and create a solution.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience how IE and EDP can empower students to become confident problem-solvers and innovative thinkers prepared for a rapidly changing world. Educators will leave with practical/transferrable strategies for implementing invention in invention-based learning in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Tom Jenkins, Erika Levrault, Kim Alvin De Lara

As STEM learning becomes increasingly data-driven, educators need accessible ways to integrate computational thinking into inquiry-based instruction. This session demonstrates how decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithms can deepen student understanding of STEM concepts. Participants will explore how real-world STEM phenomena can be reframed as computational problems through examples such as population growth, heat transfer, and flood-risk modeling. Using guided, hands-on activities, educators will outline computational solutions and modify simple starter code to observe how variable changes affect outcomes. Emphasis is placed on creativity, sense-making, and student agency rather than step-by-step labs. Designed for grades 6–12 STEM educators, this session highlights low-barrier tools, beginner-friendly scaffolds, and NGSS-aligned strategies that build confidence in integrating computational thinking into STEM instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how computational thinking and coding can deepen STEM inquiry. This interactive session transforms STEM phenomena into computational challenges that promote creativity, modeling, and problem solving. A laptop is strongly recommended for hands-on activities - no prior coding experience required

SPEAKERS:
Carla Neely, Tiffany Jones

Want more students at your STEM Table? Your STEM Table is only as big as the chairs you pull up! The session highlights practical, scalable strategies that educators, instructional leaders, and program designers can adapt to a variety of contexts. Rather than viewing rural settings as limitations, we emphasize leveraging local assets—such as community industries, environmental contexts, military installations, and regional partnerships—to create meaningful, place-based STEM learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Pull up a chair! Learn strategies to design STEM pathways that intentionally include rural learners, connect learning to local assets, and build community partnerships. Leave with concrete tools to give every student a meaningful seat at the STEM table.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Crystal Ricks, Jessica Minton, Michelle Hendrick

Biotechnology offers powerful, real-world connections for engaging students in science, engineering, and sustainability, yet many educators are unsure how to introduce it meaningfully across grade levels. This interactive session supports middle and high school teachers (grades 6–12) in integrating foundational and advanced biotechnology concepts through the lens of biofuels and environmental monitoring, while embedding technology and data science into STEM instruction. Participants will explore classroom-ready biotechnology activities focused on biofuel production and carbon cycling using microcontrollers such as Databots and micro:bit platforms equipped with CO₂ and temperature sensors. Teachers will learn how students can collect, analyze, and interpret real-time environmental data to investigate fermentation, biomass conversion, and biofuel efficiency—connecting biological processes to climate science and engineering design. The session emphasizes hands-on learning, cross-curricu

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain practical, classroom-ready strategies for integrating biotechnology, biofuels, and real-time environmental data collection using sensors and microcontrollers to connect biology, engineering, and climate science in engaging, scalable STEM lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Darci Kimball, Amber Struthers

This session uses a human-centered lens to help students find their research spark and outline a project that is relevant to the students’ community and that they are personally concerned about. Hands-on activity and resources will be shared with attendees to boost their in-class mini-research activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk-through a mini-research project on the topic of climate education. During this session, we will discuss a flowchart of science practices, strategies to address student connection with real world problems related to climate science., and how to embrace a human-centered research

SPEAKERS:
Josephine Mesina, Brianne Loya, Nicole Rosen

STEM is for everyone, so how can we help every student achieve STEM literacy? In this session, you will dismantle STEM hierarchies using place-based science and Universal Design for Learning. We’ll examine positionality, analyze a "low floor/high ceiling" lesson, share student work, and model best practices that support all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a toolkit of good-for-all practices and place-based strategies to make STEM accessible. You will gain a framework for reflecting on how you make instructional choices and practical methods to ensure your choices help every student succeed in rigorous inquiry.

SPEAKERS:
Whitney Aragaki, Christina Romero

AI can enhance learning or undermine critical thinking - the difference is implementation. Explore this paradox through STEM scenarios. Learn when to encourage, restrict, or scaffold AI use while building critical AI literacy. Move beyond binary thinking to actionable strategies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk away with a decision framework for AI use, ready-to-use guidelines for students, strategies to teach critical AI literacy, and confidence to navigate the complexities. You'll have practical answers to your toughest AI questions and an action plan for Monday morning.

SPEAKERS:
Priscilla Lumbreras, Lisa Blank

Informal STEM experiences play a critical role in student engagement and career awareness, but launching and sustaining clubs can be challenging. In this session, participants will analyze traditional and non-traditional STEM club models that have been successful to identify practical structures that support participation and long-term impact across K-12. Participants will work with a practical “starter kit” to design a feasible informal STEM implementation plan tailored to their own context. The session will address logistics, student leadership, maintenance, and sustainability, while evaluating funding and resource strategies. K–12 adaptations and strategies for measuring impact will be explored, empowering educators to create inclusive, sustainable STEM opportunities beyond the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a practical starter kit to launch and sustain STEM clubs for all students, including logistics, funding sources, and real case examples. They will also gain strategies to support students in building leadership skills and awareness of STEM career pathways.

SPEAKERS:
Carla Waller, Stacey Reed, Eric Botello