Iowa STEM Summit 2026: Full Schedule

TBA

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

AI is rapidly changing education, but how can it actually be used effectively in a science classroom? This session will explore practical ways I have integrated AI into my chemistry and physics courses, both as a tool for students and as a resource for teachers. I will share approaches that have been successful, along with others that have not worked as well as I had hoped. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for incorporating AI into their own classrooms while considering how to keep student thinking, problem solving, and learning at the center of the experience.

Presenters

Marc Pedersen

HS Science Teacher, Des Moines Christian School

Marc Pedersen currently teaches the dual credit courses General Chemistry I & II and General Physics I at Des Moines Christian School. Now in his 29th year as an educator, Marc has spent his career helping students develop the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills necessary... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

20-Minute

Subject Science, Technology/Computer Science/AI
Audience Post Secondary Educators, Secondary Educators, Students, Administrators

TBA

Experiential Learning via Student Driven Projects

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

When a student has advanced beyond their peers, to the point that their educators cannot challenge them enough to continue their learning through traditional curricula, it is time to look at how industry / education partnerships can continue to nourish the interest and passion for learning.

Steve Davis and Dalila Hernandez connected after her teacher met Mr. Davis and requested that he provide an additional learning challenge for Ms. Hernandez so that she could continue her education beyond what was available and practical with the current constraints in her district. After that, they embarked on a multi-year, multi-project journey to enhance Ms. Hernandez's learning experience with feedback and guidance from an industry professional. She is currently pursuing a Graphic Design and Computer Science degree from Drake University and continues her extra-curricular learning with Mr. Davis on a consistent basis to supplement her coursework.

Presenters

Steven Davis

CEO & Co-founder, Bio::Neos, Inc.

Steve is a successful co-founder of a technology business, Bio::Neos a firm of scientific technology architects, that he has operated with his partners for over 20 years. After founding Bio::Neos, Steve has invested significant time working with the local and state-wide business and... Read More →

Dalila Hernandez

Student, Drake University

Dalila has worked with Steve to enhance her education using experiential learning since 2023.

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

20-Minute

Subject Career Connected Learning, Technology/Computer Science/AI
Audience Business/Community, Students, Secondary Educators, Post Secondary Educators, Administrators

TBA

From Curiosity to Career: Building Iowa's AI Workforce Pipeline

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

Artificial intelligence is transforming careers across agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, business, and education. As demand for AI-related skills grows, educators play a critical role in preparing students for an increasingly technology-driven workforce.

This session shares lessons learned from developing AI learning opportunities across multiple educational settings, including STEM camps, K-12 classrooms, and community college programs. Participants will explore strategies for moving students from AI awareness to hands-on creation while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, ethical decision-making, and career-ready skills.

Through real-world examples and practical takeaways, attendees will examine how educators, community colleges, industry partners, and community organizations can work together to strengthen Iowa's AI talent pipeline. Participants will leave with ideas for implementing age-appropriate AI learning experiences, fostering student interest in AI-related careers, and building pathways that connect education to emerging workforce opportunities.

Presenters

Becky Deitenbeck

Faculty, AI and Computer Science, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)

Becky Deitenbeck is an AI and Computer Science faculty member at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), where she leads initiatives in artificial intelligence education. With more than eight years of industry experience, Becky transitioned into academia to pursue her passion for... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

20-Minute

Subject Technology/Computer Science/AI
Audience Elementary Educators, Administrators, Business/Community, Post Secondary Educators, Secondary Educators

TBA

Still Human: How Educators Can Teach the Skills AI Will Never Replace

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

The rules of learning just changed. AI can now complete most traditional assignments in seconds — which means the way we design lessons, assess thinking, and measure student growth needs to shift too. This session helps PK-12 educators make that transition with confidence. You will leave with a practical framework for evaluating your current lessons and assignments through an AI-era lens, identifying exactly where student thinking is still visible and where it is not — and simple, high-leverage moves to close the gap without rebuilding from scratch.

Presenters

Kacy Webster, M.Ed.

CEO/Founder & Certified AI Consultant, Profit Quiver

Kacy Webster, M.Ed. is the CEO and Founder of Profit Quiver and a Certified AI Consultant with 30+ years of experience in education, workforce development, and organizational transformation. She is the creator of the Human AI Readiness Framework and has facilitated AI readiness workshops... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

20-Minute

Subject Technology/Computer Science/AI
Audience Secondary Educators, Post Secondary Educators, Administrators

TBA

The Natural Connections: Why Your Lessons are Already "Computational"

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

"I don't have time for one more thing." We hear you!

The good news? You're likely already teaching computer science and computational thinking without realizing it.

This low key session helps you "label the plate" rather than add to it. Learn how we've found natural opportunities to showcase computer science and computational thinking within our pre-existing programming with engaging learning in our elementary classrooms. Leave empowered, validated, and ready to show your students they are already computational thinkers and computer scientists.

Small shifts, big impacts!

Presenters

Patrick Snyder

Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, Iowa City Community School District

Patrick Snyder serves as an Elementary Core Curriculum Coordinator for Iowa City Schools, supporting the development and growth of all learners. He is committed to enhancing learning experiences and achievement by emphasizing and modeling innovative ways to engage students. Patrick... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

20-Minute

Subject Technology/Computer Science/AI
Audience Students, Elementary Educators, Secondary Educators, Business/Community

TBA

Amplify, Don't Replace: Collaborating on AI Tools for Compassionate Care Workplaces

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

Speakers will discuss Jon Dennis's Iowa STEM Teacher Externship with Friends of the Family, a nonprofit organization serving victims of homelessness and domestic violence across 25 Iowa counties. The team created AI tools for crisis hotline advocate training, social media content creation, and donor outreach campaigns. They are planning to expand the externship through a partnership with the Waterloo Career Center, creating event support and internship opportunities for students in Information Solutions, Marketing, and other service areas. We hope to demonstrate how these tools can be used, explain how they were developed, and foster a discussion about our partnership.

Presenters

Jon Dennis

CTE Information Solutions Teacher, Waterloo Career Center, Waterloo Schools

Jon Dennis has taught in Waterloo for 27 years and currently teaches AI, programming, game development, and cybersecurity at the Waterloo Career Center. In summer 2026, he completed an Iowa STEM Teacher Externship with Friends of the Family in Waterloo, gaining industry experience... Read More →

Madison Gaffney

Volunteer Manager, Friends of the Family

Madison Gaffney is the Volunteer Manager at Friends of the Family in Waterloo. She is responsible for recruitment and oversight of internships and volunteers in this nonprofit organization serving people in crisis. They have utilized traditional college student interns in social work... Read More →

Rich Ross

Communications & Events Manager, Friends of the Family

Rich Ross is the Communications and Events Manager at Friends of the Family in Waterloo. A storyteller at heart, he believes stories are the key to breaking down barriers and building meaningful connections. As a lifelong learner, Rich is passionate about using AI and emerging technologies... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

50-Minute

Subject Technology/Computer Science/AI
Audience Secondary Educators, Post Secondary Educators, Business/Community, Administrators, Students
STEM Council Program Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program

TBA

Build Your Own AI with micro:bit CreateAI

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

Machine learning can feel abstract, until students collect the data themselves. In this hands-on session, we'll start with an anchoring phenomenon before you experience the full micro:bit CreateAI workflow: collecting your own movement data, then creating, testing, and improving a machine learning model that triggers real actions in code on the micro:bit. You'll explore how data quality and bias shape AI outcomes, and leave ready to bring authentic AI engineering and standards-aligned data literacy into your own classroom. No coding or AI experience needed!

Presenters

Corey Rogers

Education Producer, Micro:bit Educational Foundation

Corey Rogers is an Education Producer with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation. With over 22 years of experience in education, She has worked as a middle school STEM and Computer Science teacher, Media Specialist, and Computer Science, Digital Learning, and School Improvement Consultant... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

50-Minute

Subject Technology/Computer Science/AI
Audience Elementary Educators, Secondary Educators, Students, Post Secondary Educators

TBA

Using Unplugged Coding Activities to Support Preschoolers' Emergent Literacy

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

Attendees will learn about how unplugged coding activities can be used to support preschoolers’ critical thinking, vocabulary development and communication skills. This session will involve hands-on practice in connecting literacy activities (i.e. interactive read aloud) with unplugged coding activities.

People who come to our session will be able to apply some of the strategies discussed to their educational setting. Since unplugged coding activities do not require actual robots, this will be an easy activity that teachers can immediately integrate into their classrooms. Learning unplugged coding activities gives students a foundation to support future interactions with plugged activities (robotics and computer programming).

Presenters

Katie Nedwick

TEACH Studio Coordinator (Rod Library), University of Northern Iowa

Katie is the coordinator for Rod Library's TEACH Studio. The TEACH Studio opened in August 2025 and is a collaboration between the College of Education and Rod Library. It provides students on campus access to a robust children's literature collection and educational technology toys... Read More →

Oluwaseun Oti

Professor, University of Northern Iowa

Oluwaseun Ayobami Oti is an assistant professor of Literacy Education at the University of Northern Iowa. Her research interests include early literacy instruction, pre-service, and in-service teacher training and culturally sustaining literacy practices.

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

50-Minute