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Monday, January 20
 

9:15am EST

AI + Early Literacy Development: The Early Learning Collaborative a Model for Change
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am EST
Middle School, Room 103
In partnership, the Early Excellence Project, The Center that CARES, and Jeremiah's Place have created the Early Learning Collaborative that leverages AI to enhance literacy development, focusing on addressing opportunity gaps for young learners. This project aims to address systemic inequities in literacy by targeting foundational challenges in early childhood education. With a commitment to equity and access, we integrate technology to deliver personalized, culturally responsive literacy support. Attendees will interact with the project’s AI powered curriculum, Waterford, firsthand and explore our approach to assessing impact and adapting to the needs of Black and other historically marginalized children. This session will illustrate how our collaborative model strives to create lasting change in early learning systems.

Objectives 
1. Understand Collaborative Approaches for Equitable Early Literacy Development:
Participants will explore how the Early Learning Collaborative leverages educational technology to bridge equity gaps in early literacy, emphasizing strategies that address root causes in early childhood development for lasting impact.
2. Identify Best Practices in Implementing AI for Early Learning Programs:
Through interactive discussion, participants will identify actionable steps for implementing technology in early learning environments, including key factors that enhance access and equity in literacy programs, to apply within their own schools or organizations.
3. Identify Best Practices in Implementing AI for Early Learning Programs:
Through interactive discussion, participants will identify actionable steps for implementing technology in early learning environments, including key factors that enhance access and equity in literacy programs, to apply within their own schools or organizations.


Speakers
SJ

Shinora Johnson

Chief Operations Officier, The Center That CARES
CB

Cassandra Brentley

Non Profit Leader, Early Excellence Project
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am EST
Middle School, Room 103
  Session, Engage and Connect

9:15am EST

ELLs in Your Content-Area Classroom: Empower them with Edtech (K-12)
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am EST
Middle School, Room 105
Are you looking for practical ways to better support English Language Learners (ELLs) in your classroom?  


This session will equip you with dynamic strategies and user-friendly, tech-based resources that will unlock ELL learning and engagement in your classroom.
As you explore new techniques, you will see how enhancing your existing routines and curriculum will empower your ELLs to thrive in the content-area classroom.


This session is designed for those in a content-area or grade-level (K-12) setting in which English Language Learners are students in classrooms alongside those who speak English as a primary language.

Objectives: 
  1. Learn general strategies to support ELLs in the classroom and about edtech tools that can be used in order to effectively implement such strategies.
  2. Understand gain a basic familiarity with a few low-prep, high impact edtech tools that can be incorporated into any teacher’s routine to better support their ELLs.
  3. Gain a better understanding of both the needs and capabilities of our English-Language Learners.
Speakers
RM

Rachel McVeagh

Instructional Innovation Coordinator, Allegheny Intermediate Unit (transformED)
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am EST
Middle School, Room 105
  Session, Engage and Connect

9:15am EST

The Power of Generative AI: Redefining Writing Instruction with WisdomK12
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am EST
Middle School, Room 111
Imagine revolutionizing how students learn to write, with instant, personalized feedback that motivates them to improve faster than ever before. This lecture presents a groundbreaking case study on WisdomK12, an automated writing evaluation tool transforming writing instruction in Northeastern U.S. middle schools. This study, guided by Richard Elmore's renowned instructional core framework, reveals how public and private school teachers and students embrace technology to enhance learning outcomes. Participants found that WisdomK12 not only saves valuable time but also delivers authentic, encouraging feedback, inspiring students to write more and with greater confidence. If you’re invested in improving education with cutting-edge technology, this presentation is your gateway to understanding the future of writing instruction.


In "Generative AI in the Classroom: Redefining the Writing Process," we explore how local school districts have transformed writing instruction using the innovative WisdomK12 generative AI tool. This presentation will showcase qualitative and quantitative data highlighting the tool's impact on student engagement and writing proficiency. Attendees will gain insights from students, teachers, and administrators who have successfully integrated WisdomK12 into their curricula. Discover firsthand experiences and best practices that demonstrate how AI can enhance the writing process. Join us to learn how generative AI is reshaping education, making writing instruction more efficient and effective.

Objectives: 
  1. Apply AI to improve writing.
  2. Emphasize writing in cross-curricular assignments with AI affordances.Leverage AI to improve critical thinking and creativity.
  3. Understand the Integration of Generative AI in Writing Instruction: Participants will learn how the WisdomK12 generative AI tool is being used to redefine the teaching of writing, including the specific methods and strategies employed by local school districts.
  4. Analyze Data and Outcomes: Attendees will review and interpret qualitative and quantitative data collected from the implementation of the WisdomK12 tool, gaining insights into its effectiveness in improving student writing skills and engagement.
  5. Gain Practical Insights from Real-world Implementations: Participants will hear firsthand accounts from students, teachers, and administrators who have used the tool, enabling them to identify best practices and potential challenges in adopting generative AI in their own educational settings.
Speakers
avatar for Eric Sparkenbaugh

Eric Sparkenbaugh

Asst. Superintendent, Montour School District
avatar for Michael Marchionda

Michael Marchionda

CEO, WisdomK12
Michael Marchionda is a seasoned educator, entrepreneur, and thought leader in the intersection of education and artificial intelligence. As the founder and CEO of WisdomK12, Michael has revolutionized how educators and students collaborate, leveraging generative AI to enhance writing... Read More →
TR

Traci Ramey

Cheif Academic Officer, William Penn Academy
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am EST
Middle School, Room 111
  Session, Listen & Learn

9:15am EST

IT Directors Forum
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Gregg Theater (Below the Cafeteria)
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Edward McKaveney

Dr. Edward McKaveney

Technology Director, Hampton School District
Having worked with educational technologies, media and security in higher education and K-12 for 25-years, Dr. McKaveney has been continuously focused on the advancement of student learning, faculty development and operational success through innovative use of technologies. In addition... Read More →
avatar for Norton Gusky

Norton Gusky

Educational Technology Broker, NLG-Consulting, LLC
For over 40 years I've been an educator - teacher, CTO, and now an educational technology broker. For more look at my website:https://nlg-consulting.net/about/
avatar for Rich Platts

Rich Platts

Chief Technology Officer, AIU
Speaker Biography: Rich Platts, CETL is Chief Technology Officer at Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU), an education service agency serving the families, students and schools of Allegheny County and the greater Pittsburgh Region. Rich began his career as a middle school teacher passionate... Read More →
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Gregg Theater (Below the Cafeteria)
  Forum, Engage and Connect

9:15am EST

Be the Boss of AI
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Oliver, Room 213
Generative artificial intelligence and AI chatbots have captured the public’s imagination in remarkable ways. This workshop turns the tables on our AI overlords and puts kids in-charge. Learn how chatbots may be used in playful ways to create, learn, write better, solve problems, and develop critical thinking skills. Mind-blowing project ideas and tools will be shared to enhance learning long after this unique workshop.

Learning Objectives:
1. Become aware of indispensable AI tools for the classroom that are not chatbots.
2. Appreciate ways in which AI may be used to amplify the creative and intellectual potential of each learner.
3. Using AI as a partner in programming, writing, video editing, and oral communication.
Speakers
avatar for Gary Stager

Gary Stager

Founder, CEO, Professor, STEAM Educator, and Author, Constructing Modern Knowledge
In addition to being a popular keynote speaker at some of the world’s most prestigious education conferences, Gary Stager is a journalist, teacher educator, consultant, professor, software developer, publisher, and school administrator. An elementary teacher by training, he has... Read More →
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Oliver, Room 213
  Workshop, Create & Explore

9:15am EST

Hacking Education: Integrating picoCTF into Your Cybersecurity Curriculum
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Oliver, Room 114
Hacking Education: Integrating picoCTF into Your Cybersecurity Curriculum
Join us for an interactive workshop designed to empower high school educators with the tools to bring cybersecurity into the classroom. This 45-minute session introduces the basics of Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions and demonstrates how picoCTF’s free, accessible platform can seamlessly integrate into programming or cybersecurity curricula. Educators will gain practical insights into engaging students with hands-on problem-solving challenges that foster critical thinking and technical skills. The workshop concludes with a short practice CTF, allowing participants to experience firsthand how these challenges work in an educational setting. Whether you're new to CTFs or looking for fresh ways to enhance your lessons, this session will equip you with everything you need to get started. With help from Carnegie Mellon grad students, you can become a hacker too! Don't miss this opportunity to inspire your students and prepare them for a future in cybersecurity!

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the basics of Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions:
Educators will learn what CTFs are, how they work, and why they are effective tools for teaching cybersecurity concepts and problem-solving skills.
2. Incorporate picoCTF into classroom curriculum:
Participants will explore strategies for integrating picoCTF challenges into their existing programming or cybersecurity lessons to engage students and enhance learning outcomes.
3. Facilitate student participation in CTF activities:
Educators will gain hands-on experience with a practice CTF, enabling them to confidently guide their students through similar challenges and competitions in a classroom setting. 
Speakers
MK

Megan Kearns

Academic Outreach Program Director, Carnegie Mellon University
avatar for Taylor McCampbell

Taylor McCampbell

Graduate Student, Carnegie Mellon University
If you are interested in having the picoCTF program (https://picoctf.com/) from Carnegie Mellon in your school please talk with me. picoCTF is cyber security learning platform and is completely free and designed to be as accessible as possible. Further, we love to get in the classroom and give cyber security lessons to students, assist teachers with resources... Read More →
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Oliver, Room 114
  Workshop, Create & Explore

9:15am EST

Introduction to Rapid Prototyping in Educational Game Design
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Oliver, Room 110
Having students make educational games, as a means for presenting content knowledge, can be a fun alternative to writing a paper or doing a presentation. However, lack of coding or design skills can make this task seem intimidating for some learners and educators. This workshop will teach you how to use industry techniques for rapid prototyping, with no coding skills required, to have your students make a basic analog educational game in about an hour. You will leave being able to call yourself a game designer even if you have never tried it before! These skills are applicable for other design projects and all materials will be provided.

Learning Objectives:
1. Participants should be able to utilize rapid prototyping techniques in their own classrooms.
2. Participants should be able to design a quick, basic, educational game.
3. Participants should be able to explain how these techniques may be utilized for other creative design assignments. 
Speakers
RS

Ryan Sittler

Professor, Pennsylvania Western University - California
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Oliver, Room 110
  Workshop, Create & Explore

9:15am EST

Revolutionizing Core Math + Science Classrooms 7-12 with Virtual Reality
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Oliver, Room 112
Join us for a revolutionary learning experience in Secondary Math + Science that uses virtual reality to transform student engagement, confidence and competence.  Come hear from Dr. Trisha Martell, Principal and Ms. Alison DeMarco, Director of Digital Teaching and Learning, at Elizabeth Forward Middle School, what teachers and students are saying and why they feel so passionately about spatial learning with Prisms VR.  

You will experience the power of immersive, embodied and kinesthetic learning, and reimagine what it means to teach and learn core Math and Science with the next generation of spatial computers for enduring long term memories.

Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will experience Embodied Learning in Secondary Math + Science with VR.
2. Participants can explain the unique opportunities in learning core math with VR.
3. Participants can lead a Prisms module in a math or science classroom.
Speakers
DT

Dr. Trisha Martell

Principal, Elizabeth Forward School District
BC

Beth Carr

Prisms Partnership Director, Prisms VR
Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Oliver, Room 112
  Workshop, Create & Explore

10:15am EST

Differentiating the Writing Process with AI
Monday January 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am EST
Middle School, Room 103
Many educators are concerned about the future of academic writing assignments due to the unethical and dishonest use of AI writing generators.  However, with a writing process approach, AI can enhance, not take over, student writing, and in fact, provide scaffolded support. During this presentation, attendees will learn how to use AI to differentiate instruction for students with diverse learning needs, providing customized support such as personalized feedback for brainstorming, outlining, editing, and revising based on student proficiency levels and needs. For each part of the writing process participants will learn about a specific AI tool that can support students. Participants will leave this session knowing how to apply these resources to their writing instruction. 

Objectives: 
1. Understand how to use AI to differentiate instruction for students with diverse learning needs.
2. Learn how to provide personalized feedback using AI for tasks such as brainstorming, outlining, editing, and revising.
3. Apply AI tools to customize support based on student proficiency levels and specific learning needs.
Speakers
avatar for Jenna Copper

Jenna Copper

Assistant Professor of Education, Slippery Rock University
S

Sam Fecich

Professor, Slippery Rock University
Monday January 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am EST
Middle School, Room 103
  Session, Engage and Connect

10:15am EST

POD x TECH: Using Audio-Storytelling to Enhance Digital and Media Literacy
Monday January 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am EST
Middle School, Room 109
Since 2018, PART has operated a  K-12 digital literacy program in 8 school districts across the greater Pittsburgh region. We call our program POD x TECH, in abbreviation for two components that represent growing fields of increasing significance to students workforce readiness — podcasts and technology.

Now in its fourth year, the POD x TECH program, in which PART grew the program to 15 classrooms across 12 schools, PART works directly with students in supplementing their year-long curriculum in two equally important ways, where technology is at the intersection of each student's preparedness for continuing education and entry into the workforce.

Attendees will explore PART's methodology, our successes and failures, and leave with tools for their students and schools.

Mike Zula, or “Mr. Mike” is a Pittsburgh native with an education background spanning the state of Pennsylvania, culminating in matriculation from Penn State and Pitt Law—Mike understands the education landscape in Pennsylvania and abroad as it pertains to both higher education and career readiness programs.

Mr. Mike’s passion is situated somewhere between storytelling and technology—how we tell our stories utilizing technology profoundly impacts the way in which future generations will understand our use (hopefully the responsible use) of technology.

A staunch advocate of individualized education and multimodal education methods, bringing Mike and PART into your classrooms, libraries, or board rooms provides an energetic and entertaining look at how we interact with technology in our educational journeys—journeys which are lifelong.

The Partnership to Advance Responsible Technology (PART) is a Pittsburgh-based, independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit think-tank that engages key, multi-sector stakeholders to ensure the responsible research, development, deployment, and governance of emerging and data-driven technologies, notably artificial intelligence. The POD x Tech program is funded by the Grable Foundation.

Objectives : 
  1. Understand the methodology behind the POD x TECH program: Attendees will learn how PART integrates podcasts and technology into K-12 classrooms to enhance digital literacy and career readiness, and how this approach can be applied in their own schools.
  2. Identify key successes and challenges in implementing a digital literacy program: Attendees will gain insights into the growth and development of the program, including practical takeaways from both its successes and challenges, enabling them to better plan and adapt similar initiatives in their institutions.
  3. Gain tools and strategies for enhancing student workforce readiness: Attendees will leave with actionable tools and strategies to integrate technology and storytelling into their educational programs, fostering students’ preparedness for higher education and the workforce.
Speakers
MZ

Mike Zula

Education Program Manager, Partnership to Advance Responsible Technology
Monday January 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am EST
Middle School, Room 109
  Session, Engage and Connect

1:45pm EST

Learning Adventures: An Expansive Approach to Authentic PBL and Prompt Setting
Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm EST
Middle School, Room 111
How would you like to attend school where these were the subjects?

Synthetic Synthetic Biology
Data Activism
Tiny Large Language Models
Dreamtime Design
Micronations
Codes and Cryptography
Inventing Hugo Cabret

Would you know how to teach in such a setting? Would students be more engaged? Would learning be natural and authentic?

Since our students will graduate into a technologically sophisticated and uncertain future, the best educators create environments and experiences that prepare children to solve problems none of us have ever anticipated. The greatest return on investment is when the learner herself is invested in their own growth. For these reasons, and more, the project should be a teacher’s smallest unit of concern.

Many educators share these ideals, but don’t know how or where to begin. Veteran educators strive to make their prompt setting more elegant, evocative, and effective.

Objectives: 
Set better promptsBe a better PBL practitionerBetter understand your own thinking and that of students
Speakers
avatar for Gary Stager

Gary Stager

Founder, CEO, Professor, STEAM Educator, and Author, Constructing Modern Knowledge
In addition to being a popular keynote speaker at some of the world’s most prestigious education conferences, Gary Stager is a journalist, teacher educator, consultant, professor, software developer, publisher, and school administrator. An elementary teacher by training, he has... Read More →
Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm EST
Middle School, Room 111
  Session, Engage and Connect

1:45pm EST

Let’s Bring AI into Your Class! A Co-Design Session to Embed AI Literacy into Traditional Subjects
Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EST
Oliver, Room 215
This interactive co-design session empowers K-12 teachers to seamlessly integrate AI concepts into their existing classroom activities, making learning both engaging and relevant for students. Teachers will work collaboratively with the speakers to develop activities that convey essential, practical AI knowledge, helping students build the foundational skills to become responsible, informed decision-makers in a future shaped by AI. No prior AI expertise is required—this session is designed to support all educators. By the end of the workshop, each team of teachers will have crafted an AI-enhanced activity ready to bring into the classroom, helping students build common-sense AI literacy through familiar subjects. Join us to explore accessible, innovative ways to bring AI into your teaching practice!

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify potential AI-related knowledge that suitable for existing learning activities.
2. Create a classroom-ready AI-embedded activity.
3. Design assessment criteria for this AI-embedded activity.
Speakers
RX

Ruiwei Xiao

PhD Student at Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Mellon University
Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EST
Oliver, Room 215
  Workshop, Create & Explore

1:45pm EST

Origametria: Teaching K-7 Geometry Curriculum with Origami
Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EST
Oliver, Room 212
Join educators Elizabeth King and Autumn Dillaman for a workshop focused on teaching students from Kindergarten to Middle School geometry through origami. Origametria is a multi-award-winning digital environment for teaching the full geometry curriculum through paper folding. It was founded by Miri Golan and Paul Jackson, world-renowned origami educators. Together, they developed a hands-on platform of 200 animated lessons that are investigative and engaging for all students, including students with learning differences such as ADHD and dyslexia. During this workshop, Elizabeth and Autumn will share their experiences implementing Origametria lessons in grades 2-5 at Falk Lab School. They will also lead participants through several Origametria experiences, which will include easy activities to take back to the classroom.

Learning Objectives:
1. Get introduced to the Origametria curriculum, pedagogy, and online platform.
2. Hands-on experience of a geometry lesson delivered through paper folding.
3. Paper folding geometry activities to take back to your school community.  
Speakers
AD

Autumn Dillaman

Division Director, Elementary, Falk Lab School
EK

Elizabeth King

Elementary Educator, Falk Lab School
Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EST
Oliver, Room 212
  Workshop, Create & Explore
 
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