This opening session will introduce current initiatives in science, computer science, AI, and STEM from the Indiana Department of Education. Participants will receive an overview of the major projects, resources, and instructional supports currently available to Indiana educators. The session will also provide a conference road map that highlights sessions, workshops, and presentations relevant to Indiana priorities so that participants can maximize their learning throughout the event. The purpose of the session is to ground attendees in the current vision for science and STEM education in Indiana and to support informed participation in the sessions that follow. This session is designed to be accessible to educators from all states who are interested in statewide implementation models and cross state alignment of STEM and science initiatives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain a clear picture of current IDOE science, computer science, AI, and STEM initiatives and will receive guidance on navigating Indiana relevant sessions throughout the conference.

SPEAKERS:
Eimear Towler

This closing session will provide an opportunity to reflect on Indiana-relevant conference sessions and to consider next steps for strengthening science instruction. Attendees will examine themes that emerged across sessions connected to science, computer science, AI, and STEM. Participants will be invited to consider how the Indiana Department of Education can continue to support classroom teachers, school leaders, and districts in implementing high quality science instruction. The session will focus on actionable feedback, statewide needs, and future directions for improving coherence and alignment in science education. Educators from all states are welcome to participate in this reflection, as the process for gathering input and identifying supportive structures is applicable to any state or district context.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will reflect on Indiana relevant conference sessions and provide input on how IDOE can continue to support improvements in science instruction across the state.

SPEAKERS:
Eimear Towler

The K–8 Core Content Standards Alignment Crosswalks were developed as planning and coherence tools to support intentional interdisciplinary alignment across ELA, mathematics, science, social studies, computer science, and Integrated STEM. The crosswalks organize Indiana Academic Standards into shared instructional focus areas and observable student practices that can be supported across disciplines without adding new content or replacing adopted curriculum materials. The session will introduce the structure and purpose of the K–2, 3–5, and 6–8 crosswalks and will engage participants in examining how standards align within a shared instructional focus such as evidence based reasoning, data analysis and interpretation, or communication and discourse. Participants will explore use cases for grade level planning, PLC conversations, walkthrough evidence collection, and interdisciplinary task design. Sample use cases will demonstrate how teachers and teams can apply crosswalks to create cohe

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how K–8 interdisciplinary crosswalks can strengthen instructional coherence by helping teams identify shared practices, align standards across content areas, and support consistent student thinking without adding new requirements.

SPEAKERS:
Eimear Towler

Discover how Indiana is revolutionizing K-12 STEM education through a powerful, statewide ecosystem of support. This session highlights three uniquely Hoosier initiatives driving science best practices: the Indiana STEM Cadre, the rigorous Indiana STEM Certification process, and the digital Indiana Learning Lab. Co-led by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), school leaders from the Indiana Math and Science Academy (IMSA), and Five Star Technology Solutions, this session offers a 360-degree view of Indiana's unique STEM programming. Presenters will share compelling, real-world data demonstrating how IMSA’s active participation in these state-supported programs dramatically improved their standardized science testing results. Attendees will explore state-level initiatives, analyze the specific implementation strategies that fueled IMSA's academic breakthrough, and walk away with a proven blueprint for scaling high-quality STEM programs that yield measurable student success.

TAKEAWAYS:
A Scalable Ecosystem: Understand how the IDOE, IMSA, and Five Star Tech leverage a multi-tiered approach to support local schools.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Waring

Instructional and assessment frameworks were developed to support coherent NGSS‑aligned science instruction in Indiana. The instructional frameworks for Grades 4, 6, and Biology organize each performance expectation into disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, evidence expectations, academic vocabulary, and driving questions to guide instruction. The corresponding assessment framework translates the same performance expectation into phenomena, task demands, content limits, and proficiency‑level descriptors to support item design and formative assessment. During the session, participants will examine and use these frameworks to analyze how three‑dimensional sensemaking can be supported in classroom instruction and assessment. Frameworks for additional grade levels will be updated at a later date. The tools presented illustrate an approach that can be applied in any state using NGSS or NGSS‑aligned standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Clear strategies for supporting three‑dimensional instruction will be gained by examining and using science instructional and assessment frameworks for Grades 4, 6, and Biology, demonstrating how NGSS performance expectations can be translated into coherent classroom practice.

SPEAKERS:
Eimear Towler

It has been ten years since Indiana created its K-8 Computer Science Standards and Indiana is the only state to assess computer science content alongside science on state assessments. Over 80% of Indiana students receive Computer Science in K-8, and all high school students will complete a Computer Science course to earn a high school diploma, guaranteeing digital literacy for students around the state. Join the Indiana Department of Education’s Computer Science Specialist to learn about the state’s expansion of computer science, extensive professional development programming, and unique instructional and assessment frameworks that support vertical alignment and three-dimensional computer science instruction. Learn about how Indiana is building on its computer science education coursework to empower students to understand and use AI tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Indiana has expanded computer science and AI instruction across K-12 and is the only state to assess Computer Science. Find out how Indiana's vertical alignment plan, state funding, and educator-facing resources support students and teachers for a world powered by computing.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Baron

The Indiana STEM Certified Schools process was redesigned for the 2025–26 school year to strengthen instructional coherence, embed Indiana Integrated STEM Standards, align expectations across science, mathematics, and computer science, and implement a clarified rubric emphasizing data‑driven evaluation. Statewide evidence reviews and school visits conducted through the process indicated strong inquiry‑based instructional culture, increasing cross‑curricular integration, and purposeful incorporation of technology and AI, while also revealing needs in full‑year standards documentation, mathematics alignment, and protocol‑based analysis of student outcome data. End‑of‑school‑year analysis informed minor procedural refinements designed to improve clarity in documentation, expectations for standards mapping, and consistency of evidence submission for the 2026–27 cycle.

TAKEAWAYS:
Clear insights into designing coherent STEM schoolwide systems will be gained by examining how a redesigned STEM Certified Schools process operated in practice and how end‑of‑school‑year findings informed refinements that strengthened clarity, documentation, and implementation.

SPEAKERS:
Eimear Towler

This session will help science educators understand Indiana’s new diploma and how science and STEM intentionally shape student readiness. Attendees will explore how science coursework fits into the statewide vision, the role of STEM in the broader diploma framework, and how students can earn relevant diploma seals. While designed to support strong Indiana representation, the session offers national value by clarifying how policy, pathways, and classroom practice intersect to prepare students for postsecondary success.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science educators need a clear, accessible understanding of Indiana’s new diploma and how science and STEM contribute to overall requirements and diploma seals.

SPEAKERS:
Rebekah Frazer