How can you create engaging STEM experiences without breaking the bank? You do not need expensive materials to create meaningful STEM learning experiences—everyday household items can be transformed into powerful tools for scientific exploration and innovation. Join Chrissy Romano-Arrabito for this timesaving, to the point session where you will discover how to use simple, cost-effective materials to create interactive learning experiences that align with educational standards while inspiring curiosity and problem-solving. Learn innovative strategies for designing project-based learning activities, collaborative challenges, and hands-on experiments that make STEM engaging and accessible to all students. Get ready to bring STEM to life in your classroom—without stretching your budget! Chrissy's expertise in evidence-based teaching practices will provide you with strategies to create a toolkit of simple, effective, and affordable STEM ideas that will spark creativity and exploration in your young learners.

How can you spark curiosity and inspire young learners to explore the exciting world of STEM? Cultivating a vibrant STEM learning culture in K-2 classrooms fosters curiosity, exploration, and collaboration, laying a solid foundation for future learning. Join Chrissy Romano-Arrabito for this timesaving, to the point session where you will discover effective strategies for creating a dynamic STEM learning culture in the K-2 classroom. You will learn how to design engaging activities that promote curiosity, exploration, and collaboration while seamlessly integrating STEM principles into your everyday curriculum. Prepare to ignite curiosity and create a classroom environment where young learners thrive through the power of STEM! Chrissy's expertise in evidence-based teaching practices will provide you with resources and ideas to foster a growth mindset, encourage critical thinking, and inspire young learners to embrace the exciting world of STEM.

What simple, engaging experiments can make abstract concepts more tangible and fun? Experiential learning in early education helps children develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and a natural curiosity about the world around them. Join Chrissy Romano-Arrabito for this timesaving, to the point session where you will discover how to bring science to life in your classroom through interactive, hands-on experiments. Learn how to create a dynamic learning environment where students explore, experiment, and discover the wonders of science using budget-friendly materials. Get ready to explore, experiment, and inspire the next generation of young scientists! Chrissy's expertise in evidence-based teaching practices will provide you with practical strategies for integrating inquiry-based learning, fostering scientific thinking, and inspiring a love for exploration that lasts a lifetime.

How can storybooks inspire young learners to explore STEM concepts? Storybooks are a powerful bridge between literacy and STEM, providing young learners with opportunities to experience the joy of reading while developing essential science, technology, engineering, and math skills. Join Chrissy Romano-Arrabito for this timesaving, to the point session as she takes you on a journey into the world of Storybook STEM and learn how to integrate captivating narratives with hands-on science activities to create engaging, meaningful lessons that inspire curiosity and critical thinking. Prepare to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love for reading and science with Storybook STEM! Chrissy's expertise in evidence-based teaching practices will provide you with practical strategies and creative ideas for designing your own Storybook STEM lessons, making learning both fun and impactful for your students. Key Takeaways Discover the powerful connection between literacy and STEM and its impact on young learners. Explore a curated selection of storybooks that pair perfectly with hands-on STEM activities. Learn how to design Storybook STEM lessons that inspire curiosity and foster critical thinking. Gain creative strategies to make learning both fun and meaningful through literacy and science integration. Presented by Chrissy Romano-Arrabito Chrissy Romano-Arrabito is a first-grade educator at Nellie K. Parker Elementary School in Hackensack, New Jersey. With an extensive career spanning over three decades, she possesses a wealth of expertise in nurturing the educational growth of elementary and middle school students. Chrissy's educational philosophy is rooted in her deep commitment to nurturing the complete development of each child. She is a fervent advocate for innovation within the classroom, continually seeking ways to facilitate authentic and engaging learning encounters for her students.

Are you looking for practical ways to infuse hands-on STEM activities into your everyday classroom instruction? Simple modifications to existing lesson plans can turn any subject into a STEM-rich learning experience. Join Melissa Mann for this timesaving, to the point session as we explore practical strategies to seamlessly integrate STEM activities across various subjects, such as science, math, language arts, and even social studies, providing students with real-world applications of their learning. Get ready to inspire your students to become innovative problem solvers and lifelong learners! Melissa’s expertise in STEM and STEAM will equip you with the tools and resources you need to incorporate hands-on experiences into everyday classroom routines that will foster your students’ curiosity and critical thinking skills while addressing core content standards. Key Takeaways Explore practical strategies for seamlessly integrating hands-on STEM activities into your existing lesson plans and curriculum. Learn how to identify opportunities for STEM learning in everyday classroom activities and routines, fostering a culture of inquiry and exploration. Discover effective ways to scaffold STEM activities to meet the diverse needs of learners and promote collaboration and teamwork among students. Explore assessment strategies for evaluating students' understanding and engagement in hands-on STEM activities, using formative assessment data to inform instruction and provide targeted support. Presented by Melissa Mann Melissa Mann serves as a dedicated special education educator within the Madison County School System. Her teaching experience spans across a wide range of student settings, from self-contained classrooms to collaborative environments, covering grades kindergarten through sixth. Melissa's qualifications include dual certifications in both elementary education and special education, and she holds a master's degree in school counseling, further enhancing her skill set as a certified school counselor. Melissa’s impact also extends beyond the classroom where she shares her expertise at numerous in-person and virtual conferences, including the Alabama Educational Technology Conference.

Presented by: Naomi Louise Session Description:Are you looking to motivate young female students to pursue passion-driven careers in STEM? Join Naomi Louise as she shares innovative STEM approaches to empower the next generation of female leaders through a “lean-in” classroom culture of practice. You will leave this session empowered with new teaching and learning ideas, as well as a collection of resources to inspire, mentor, and model STEM career choices for ALL girls to pursue their passion-driven careers in STEM.

Presented by: Deb Norton Session Description:The Cricut is a cutting machine that hooks up to your computer or mobile device and can cut a variety of materials like paper, vinyl, cardstock, thin wood, leather, fabric, and more! Join Deb Norton as she shares how to get started using a Cricut machine and the Cricut Design Space App in your classroom. You will also walk away with STEAM-inspired, creative project ideas including resources for inspiration.

Presented by: Shelly Sanchez Terrell Session Description:Learning doesn't have to stop just because students are out of school. Join Shelly Sanchez Terrell's presentation to discover ways to inspire students and their families to experiment, code, make, build, read, and explore during their breaks. Teachers who attend this presentation will discover tips, templates, and free resources that go beyond summer handouts and actually help students and families learn actively and creatively.

The main difference between STEM and STEAM is in how they approach scientific concepts. While the focus of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) makes use of primarily hard scientific skills, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) makes use of both hard and soft skills to solve problems. Join Michelle Dragalin as she discusses why the “A” in STEAM is an essential part of the acronym! You will also walk away with a variety of STEAM activities to implement in your classroom that are adaptable for all grade levels and subject areas. Presented by Michelle Dragalin

Presented by: Shelly Sanchez Terrell Session Description: Would you like to inspire inquiry, critical thinking, and problem-solving in your students? Consider STEAM, which is at the heart of innovation, to motivate students to develop the skills and self-confidence they need to pursue high-demand careers in STEAM professions. Join Shelly Sanchez Terrell as she shares a variety of cross-curricular STEAM resources and strategies that your students will love! You will also learn how these resources and strategies can help students build a better narrative of how their learning impacts their lives and the world around them. Assessment: Participants will join a collaborative backchannel chat to discuss ideas for STEAM resources and strategies to demonstrate their understanding of the session objectives and reflect on their learning.

Presented by: Shelly Sanchez Terrell Session Description: How do we help support the needs of our struggling students? Many of our learners struggle with the vocabulary or CALPS (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency Skills) when learning Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) and History. Join Shelly Sanchez Terrell as she shares how we can use web tools and apps to help students visualize, contextualize, and personalize their learning. You will also learn a variety of strategies that can help simplify the language and support students who struggle in STEAM and History. Assessment: Participants will join a collaborative backchannel chat to discuss ideas for STEAM resources and strategies to demonstrate their understanding of the session objectives and reflect on their learning.

Would you like to explore innovative ways to foster hands-on learning experiences that captivate your students' imaginations? Incorporating LEGO in your classroom can engage students of all ages, and it is a versatile educational resource that fosters innovation and problem-solving skills. Join Chrissy Romano Arrabito for this timesaving, to the point session as we explore how these colorful bricks can ignite a passion for learning in your students and transform your classroom into an exciting hub of creativity and learning. Get ready to unleash the power of LEGO to make learning fun, interactive, and memorable for your students! Chrissy's expertise in using LEGO for educational purposes will provide you with activities that promote active participation and provide tangible ways for students to express themselves and demonstrate their understanding. Key Takeaways Explore how LEGO can be used to encourage creativity and self-expression, enabling students to bring their ideas to life. Discover how LEGO can be integrated into science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEM and STEAM) lessons to make learning engaging and relevant. Learn how to facilitate collaborative LEGO projects that promote teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. Explore assessment techniques that harness the power of LEGO, providing insights into student comprehension and problem-solving abilities Presented by Chrissy Romano Arrabito Chrissy Romano Arrabito serves as a first-grade educator at Nellie K. Parker Elementary School, located in Hackensack, New Jersey. With an extensive career spanning over three decades, she possesses a wealth of expertise in nurturing the educational growth of elementary and middle school students. Chrissy's educational philosophy is rooted in her deep commitment to nurturing the complete development of each child. She is a fervent advocate for innovation within the classroom, continually seeking ways to facilitate authentic and engaging learning encounters for her students.

Every woman has a story to tell, to leave her legacy of good in our world. Join Naomi Louise, for this hands-on, interactive workshop as she shares strategies to help students discover and honor brilliant women leaders throughout history, within our local communities, and in our families who are role models to future generations. In addition, Naomi will discuss how students can create a celebratory multimedia or video documentary presentation to share with the world on the “Her-Story Global Collaboration Project” website. Participants will also receive a copy of Naomi’s templates to design and assess student projects as they discover how women leaders have overcome social injustice and career-work-life challenges so that future generations have access and equity to career advancements in STEM. This is workshop one of six for the series titled “Her-Story Global Collaboration Project.” Pressented by Naomi Louise NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Premium Members also have access to view the recordings on demand and earn up to six continuing education credits.

During the month of March, we honor National Women's History month as we celebrate brave, strong, determined, intelligent, and creative women who have contributed to and have spear-headed amazing accomplishments in their lifetimes. Join Naomi Louise for this hands-on, interactive workshop as she shares four differentiated STEM activities that will empower you to share how women have played an important leadership role in the world of STEM, from past experiences to current inventions and innovative discoveries. Participants will also receive a copy of Naomi’s enrichment activity templates to create a digital product that highlights the importance of Women’s History Month by through a makerspace event, women in leadership board game, design thinking strategy, or vision board. This is workshop six of six for the series titled “Her-Story Global Collaboration Project.” Presented by Naomi Louise NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Premium Members also have access to view the recordings on demand and earn up to six continuing education credits.

The power of good storytelling is about you, the teacher, joyfully and deliberately modeling your love for reading in the classroom. Join Naomi Louise for this hands-on, interactive workshop as she shares best practices for delivering modeled read aloud sessions that will inspire and engage your students as we celebrate National Women's History Month. In addition, Naomi will discuss how to extend these read aloud sessions with active conversations that will allow students to explore the discoveries and inventions by women leaders in the world of STEM. Participants will also receive a copy of Naomi’s templates to create their own “Her-Story Global Collaboration Project” activities to differentiate instruction and personalize learning for diverse learners in the classroom. This is workshop two of six for the series titled “Her-Story Global Collaboration Project.” Presented by Naomi Louise NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Premium Members also have access to view the recordings on demand and earn up to six continuing education credits.

During the month of March, we honor National Women's History month as we celebrate brave, strong, determined, intelligent, and creative women who have contributed to and have spear-headed amazing accomplishments in their lifetimes. Join Naomi Louise for this hands-on, interactive workshop as she shares three differentiated STEM activities that will empower you to share how women have played an important leadership role in the world of STEM, from past experiences to current inventions and innovative discoveries. Participants will also receive a copy of Naomi’s enrichment activity templates to create a digital product that highlights the importance of Women’s History Month through Makey Makey, the introduction of an LED pop-up card, or the engineering of a Zen dish garden. This is workshop five of six for the series titled “Her-Story Global Collaboration Project.” Presented by Naomi Louise NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Premium Members also have access to view the recordings on demand and earn up to six continuing education credits.

During the month of March, we honor National Women's History month as we celebrate brave, strong, determined, intelligent, and creative women who have contributed to and have spear-headed amazing accomplishments in their lifetimes. Join Naomi Louise for this hands-on, interactive workshop as she shares three differentiated STEM activities that will empower you to share how women have played an important leadership role in the world of STEM, from past experiences to current inventions and innovative discoveries. Participants will also receive a copy of Naomi’s enrichment activity templates to create a digital product that highlights the importance of Women’s History Month through an infographic, graphic novel story, game-based play activity, or Google Jamboard biography. This is workshop four of six for the series titled “Her-Story Global Collaboration Project.” Presented by Naomi Louise

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) sounds like an overwhelming combination of subjects to teach – and only suitable for expert educators. But the reality is, incorporating STEAM across the curriculum is easier than you may think! Join Michelle Dragalin as she discusses five common myths about STEAM education and the truth behind them. You will also walk away with a variety of activities to implement in your classroom that are adaptable for all grade levels and subject areas. Presented by Michelle Dragalin

Presented by: Kim Munoz Session Description: Are you new to teaching computer science, but not sure where to start? Join Kimberly Muñoz as she shares her story of how she began teaching computer science and where she collected useful resources to teach the principles of computer science, including programming languages, to help her create engaging lessons for her students. You will also walk away with a treasure trove of ideas for curriculum, lessons, and activities (some paid and some free) that will give you the tools you need to effectively teach computer science in your school. Some of these resources will also be helpful for any teacher that is preparing students for the AP Computer Science A Exam. Assessment: Participants will join a collaborative backchannel chat and discuss computer science resources to demonstrate their understanding of the session objectives and reflect on their learning.

Presented by: Michelle Cheasty Session Description:With so much talk about STEAM and STEM – sometimes it's easy to wonder how to begin. While we all area hearing how critical STEAM integration is to the success of our students, it can often be a struggle to get started. Even the simple question of "what exactly is STEAM and what does it mean?" can be overwhelming. Also, what is the difference between STEAM and STEM? Find out why the "A" is so critical as you explore the world of cross curriculum STEAM integration for every classroom. In this session, you'll learn popular integration models, critical considerations to make when designing lessons, and a plethora of technology tools to help you out.

Presented by: Naomi Louise Session Description:Would you like to guide your students in developing a growth mindset through student-driven goals, authentic reflection, and celebration of learning stories? Join Naomi Louise as she shares best practices for creating vision boards that will help your students visualize their own unique learning pathways. You will also walk away with a variety of resources that will inspire your students to make their career and future-ready goals a reality.

Are you looking for creative STEAM activities that you can use with your students in 30 minutes or less? Join Deb Norton as she shares how she and Media Specialist Teri Rucinsky collaboratively developed STEAM projects that are centered around careers and community connections. You will also walk away with strategies that you can use to design and implement engaging STEAM lessons for elementary, middle, and high school students with a limited amount of instructional time.