In this interactive workshop, educators will dive deep into the world of STEM grant writing, equipping themselves with proven strategies to secure funding for their classrooms. Participants will engage in hands-on activities and learn from real-world examples to develop their grant-writing skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will develop a toolkit of practical strategies to transform their Science & STEM project ideas into fundable grant proposals. This workshop will provide valuable insights to help you unlock new funding opportunities for your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Welch

Learn how you can use robots to integrate with core academic content to teach skills to your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn about different types of robots that are available and how they can incorporate technology with academic content.

SPEAKERS:
Veena Black

This session will showcase STEM choices educators can consider to gauge students' interests with academic standards. Student artifacts will highlight the NSS of Human and Structure, i.e. the skeletal system on Minecraft Education, skeletal system illustration of cartoon characters.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will explore offering students choices to foster collaboration and creativity in their learning of science standards.

SPEAKERS:
Veena Black

Engage students in the engineering design process by having them design and create candy dispensing machines. The project will be presented from the perspectives of different educators at different grade levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how to use Halloween candy dispensing machines to engage students in exploring the Engineering Design Process. We will share project rubrics, instructions, and examples to guide the implementation. Discussion on extending the project to reflect additional themes will be included.

SPEAKERS:
Fernando Azcona, Eileen Koenig

Using Makey-Makey controllers is a great way to increase hands-on learning in STEM classes. This presentation will explore how Makey-Makey works and how it can be used within different lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how the Makey-Makey controller can be used in a variety of different lessons and settings.

SPEAKERS:
Alyna Raynovich

Transform early learning with "Teaching STEM Through Literacy". Blend STEM, books, and tech to nurture 21st-century skills in young minds. Join us for hands-on activities that create immersive learning spaces, igniting curiosity and problem-solving in our littlest innovators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Empower early childhood educators to seamlessly integrate STEM, literacy, and technology, creating engaging, multi-disciplinary learning experiences that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning in young children.

SPEAKERS:
Clint Coleman

Learn to use the Sphero Mini robot to teach middle school students kinetics concepts like velocity, acceleration, and force. This session offers hands-on activities aligned with NGSS, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and inquiry-based learning to make science engaging and interactive.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to integrate the Sphero Mini robot into science lessons to teach kinetics concepts such as velocity, acceleration, and force, using NGSS-aligned, hands-on activities that foster student engagement, critical thinking, and collaborative inquiry-based learning.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Marrero

Speaker will model and actively engage attendees with strategies and explorations, where children investigate, explore and manipulate materials and technology-rich tools, to see the effects of their actions, creating sense-making and increasing sustained curiosity and engagement. Handouts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies and engaging exploration ideas, to create sense-making opportunities for young children, and to inspire children’s sustained curiosities. Activities will be easy and inexpensive to replicate and will help launch a trajectory of learning for young children.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Enhance your teaching practice with generative AI! This workshop helps you create smarter assessments, provide personalized feedback, save valuable time, and enhance student learning, all while boosting your teaching efficiency.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Claudia Rademaker, Dr. Patrik Nilsson

The iDrone Online Camp engages middle and high school students in STEM through hands-on drone technology experiences. Participants engage in project-based learning, competitions, and FAA Part 107 discussions, enhancing critical thinking, teamwork, and self-efficacy in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
The session will highlight the positive impact of experiential learning on students' STEM interests and career aspirations.

SPEAKERS:
Jiyoon Yoon

The NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) is a partnership between academic and non-profit organizations that explores, maps, and develops technology for the ocean. OECI institutions place a high priority on engaging with the public, K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students.

TAKEAWAYS:
The OECI table will highlight opportunities for both students and educators, lesson plans and activities to increase awareness of exploring our ocean.

SPEAKERS:
Tara Hicks Johnson

No matter when they are used STEM competitions offer great opportunities to achieve all three Dimensions of Learning outlined in the NGSS. Come explore the possibilities that various competitions offer to your classroom and your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session attendees will learn about various STEM competitions, how they align with and support NGSS learning, and lastly how they can be implemented in the classroom even if they don't formally join.

SPEAKERS:
John Loehr

Discover an interdisciplinary approach to modeling pollination. Engage in an interactive science and engineering session to explore how pre-service teachers integrated science, engineering, robotics, and AI to address real-world phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage directly with machine learning tools and explore its applications in science education. They will learn strategies for integrating this technology into the classroom while working with models that align with NGSS standards.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Umeda, Stacy George

The STEM Education and Research Center will present on the experience of hosting a robotics summer camp for 6th through 8th grade students utilizing FIRST LEGO League Challenge season resources and the impact of this camp on the students, as well as how other entities can host their own camps.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will receive information on reusing FLL Challenge supplies to host their own robotics summer camps, along with best practices and NGSS alignment.

SPEAKERS:
Corina Rivera

This study explores adolescent perceptions of AI and its integration in STEM education to address global challenges like climate change and health. Participants suggest early AI education, teacher training, and engaging curricula. Robotics, seen as key, requires investment for problem-solving skills

TAKEAWAYS:
Adolescents see AI as crucial for addressing global challenges, advocating for early AI education, teacher training, and engaging curricula. They view robotics as essential for practical applications like environmental cleanup, though budgetary support is needed for its broader implementation.

SPEAKERS:
Huseyin Colak