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Friday, November 6
 

TBA

Accessible Learning in Action
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
Services and Classroom Applications from the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled and the Instructional Materials Center 
This presentation will highlight innovative teaching and learning practices—such as phenomena‑based science approaches and accessible STEM content—that support diverse learners. It will showcase collaboration and partnerships that connect schools, agencies, and statewide resources to expand instructional pathways.  


During the session the staff from the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (Library) will give an overview of the statewide services offered by the Library and its Instructional Materials Center (IMC), including braille production, large print materials, tactile graphics, accessible digital formats, and educator support. Presenters will explain how educators can request accessible educational materials, how IMC workflows support timely classroom delivery, and how the IMC connects learners with accessible literacy resources. 


Abby Brown, 5th grade teacher at the Durant Community School District, will co-present to demonstrate practical, classroom strategies for integrating accessible formats into instruction. Real examples, adapted materials, and accessibility tools will be shared to help educators better support students who are blind, visually impaired, or print disabled. 
Presenters
avatar for Abby Brown

Abby Brown

5th grade teacher, Durant Community School District
Abby is a 5th grade teacher at Durant Elementary school entering her third year of teaching. She is passionate about project based learning, STEM education, and creating accessible learning experiences for all students. After completing a summer teacher externship at with the Iowa... Read More →
avatar for Leslie Heinzler

Leslie Heinzler

Special Services Librarian, Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
Leslie is the Special Services Librarian at the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled.  She has been a librarian for over 20 years, with over 10 years at the Iowa Library for the Blind.  She is passionate about accessibility and equal access to information.  She enjoys... Read More →
avatar for Leland Smith

Leland Smith

Service Specialist for the Instructional Materials Center, Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
Leland Smith brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation on accessibility in education. As a blind individual who attended Iowa public schools, he offers a firsthand perspective on the importance of accessible educational materials and inclusive learning... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Willeford

Sarah Willeford

Library Director, Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
Sarah Willeford is the Library Director at the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, where she leads statewide efforts to ensure reading and information are accessible to all Iowans. With more than 25 years of experience in libraries of all types—and over 12 years with... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

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
avatar for Jon Dennis

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 →
avatar for Madison Gaffney

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 →
avatar for Rich Ross

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

TBA

Beyond the Barn: How Iowa 4-H is Building Iowa's STEM Talent Pipeline
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
What if you could grow your future workforce instead of competing to recruit it? Step into the role of a talent recruiter facing rising hiring, onboarding, and retention costs, then experience how Iowa 4-H STEM develops career-ready youth through robotics and automation. Working in teams, you'll tackle real-world engineering challenges, explore NACE career-ready skills, and discover how long-term investment in youth talent can deliver measurable returns for industry, education, and communities.
Presenters
avatar for Jonnie Becker

Jonnie Becker

Iowa 4-H STEM Focus Team Leader, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: 4-H
Jonnie brings over 20 years of experience in STEM education, curriculum design, and statewide program leadership and currently the Iowa 4-H STEM Focus team leader. In this role, she leads the development of a statewide STEM vision aligned with Iowa State University Extension and national... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

TBA

Breaking Barriers: Engaging Hard-to-Reach Students Through Real-World STEM
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
Every educator faces the ultimate challenge: how do you captivate the student sitting in the back row with their arms crossed, convinced that school has nothing to do with their reality? The answer isn't lowering standards; it’s changing the approach.

In this high-energy, practical session, discover how to transform standard high school science curriculum into immersive, real-world STEM experiences. The presenter will share ideas used to successfully teach all required high school courses by weaving STEM concepts directly into daily lessons. You will learn how to spark curiosity in your most disengaged, hard-to-reach learners. Walk away with several ideas on how to incorporate STEM ideas into your lessons. Participants will also learn how to leverage the STEM BEST® Program and available funding to develop and expand authentic, real-world learning experiences through school and business partnerships.
Presenters
avatar for Randi Glaser

Randi Glaser

Tier 3 Science Teacher, The ALT at Valley High School in West Des Moines
Randi has taught in alternative education for a number of years. With teaching science, she loves to incoporate STEM ideas to help engage students and connect real life examples to state standards. She has won the 2024 STEM Teacher award from the state of Iowa, and has incoporated... Read More →
avatar for Tanya Hunt

Tanya Hunt

STEM BEST® Program Coordinator, Iowa STEM Advisory Council
Tanya K. Hunt is an Education Program Consultant and STEM BEST® Program Coordinator with the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education. She leads the coordination and advancement of the STEM BEST® Program, supporting authentic work-based learning... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

TBA

Build It, Map It, Explain It: Hands-On NGSS Learning Across Grade Levels
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA




 What happens when one grade level's science work becomes another grade level's problem to solve? In this hands-on session, participants will experience a cross-grade NGSS-aligned project in which elementary students design three-dimensional island models, use generative AI to visualize those models as realistic landscapes, and translate them into topographic maps. Participants will investigate how physical, AI-generated, and symbolic representations can each reveal—and sometimes distort—scientific information. To connect to the aerospace theme, participants will also consider how this same modeling progression can extend to planetary science through the visualization and mapping of lunar or Martian landforms. Using student artifacts, assessment data, and classroom examples, we will explore strategies for combining hands-on modeling, responsible AI use, authentic audiences, and cross-curricular learning to increase student engagement and cognitive demand. 
Presenters
avatar for Maddie Kampf

Maddie Kampf

Elementary Science Teacher & Doctoral Student at Drake, Indianola Community School District & Drake University
Maddie Kampf is a K–5 science educator with Indianola Community School District and a doctoral student in Education at Drake University. She specializes in NGSS-aligned, inquiry-based science instruction that emphasizes student sensemaking, hands-on investigation, and meaningful... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

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
avatar for Corey Rogers

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

TBA

Cosmic Clutter: A Hands-on Workshop Connecting Classroom Science to Space
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
Experience Blue Origin's Club for the Future free lessons through hands-on activities. Practice engaging students while exploring space careers. Leave with ready-to-use resources connecting classroom concepts to STEM opportunities beyond Earth!
Presenters
avatar for Blue Origin's Club for the Future

Blue Origin's Club for the Future

We focus on STEM career pathways for underrepresented students. All of our offerings are free and any organization working with students can utilize them.
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

TBA

Cultivating STEM Connections: Lessons Learned as a First-Year Iowa STEM Teacher Externship Host
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
What happens when a university public garden becomes an Iowa STEM Teacher Externship host for the first time?


In this interactive session, educators from Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University will share their journey as a first-year Iowa STEM Teacher Externship host site. Participants will learn how our organization partnered with two licensed STEM educators to create meaningful workplace experiences that connected environmental science, horticulture, entomology, science communication, informal education, arts, and community engagement to classroom learning. Reiman Gardens offers STEAM-rich experiences through camps, public programs, exhibits, and environmental education, making it a unique host environment for teacher externs. 


Presenters will discuss planning, onboarding, project selection, mentoring strategies, challenges encountered, unexpected successes, and impacts observed for both the externs and host organization. Attendees will leave with practical tools and recommendations for developing successful partnerships between schools and informal learning organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and community institutions.


Whether you are considering serving as a future extern host, supporting educator professional learning, or participating in an externship yourself, this session will provide actionable insights and real-world examples that can be adapted to a variety of STEM settings.
Presenters
avatar for Ann Gritzner

Ann Gritzner

Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program Coordinator, Iowa STEM
avatar for Sara Merritt

Sara Merritt

Director of Education, Reiman Gardens - Iowa State University
Sara Merritt is an educator, trainer, and creative strategist specializing in experiential learning, arts integration, and science engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Individual Concentration in Art, Sexuality, and Aesthetic Perception, A Master of Fine Arts in Painting... Read More →
avatar for Molly Barten

Molly Barten

Manager of Youth & Family Programs, Reiman Gardens - Iowa State University
Molly Barten is an educator and program leader specializing in youth engagement, family learning, and nature-based education. As Manager of Youth & Family Programs at Reiman Gardens, she develops and leads innovative experiences that connect children and families with the natural... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

TBA

Driving Question Board to Spark Thinking
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
The Driving Question Board, an essential tool used throughout OpenSciEd units to generate, keep track of, and revisit student questions around the anchoring and related phenomenon. It’s a visual representation of the shared mission of learning in the unit. Come think like a student and gather resources like a teacher.
Presenters
avatar for Andrew Whittet

Andrew Whittet

Regional Sales, Activate Learning
 Andrew Whittet is a former classroom teacher and district specialist who served public school districts in Texas and Florida before joining Activate Learning. He now partners with science teams across multiple states to support the successful implementation of high-quality, inquiry-based... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

TBA

Engineering the Real World: Bringing Authentic Problem-Solving into K–12 Science Classrooms
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
How can science classrooms move beyond learning about concepts to using them in meaningful, real-world ways? This session explores how to engage K–12 students in authentic engineering challenges that align with science standards while promoting deep sensemaking. Participants will examine how real-world problems—rooted in local, global, and student-relevant contexts—can drive instruction, integrate core disciplinary ideas, and support the development of scientific and engineering practices.


Through concrete examples and collaborative discussion, educators will explore strategies for designing and facilitating engineering tasks that are accessible to all learners, including English learners, while maintaining rigor and coherence. Attendees will leave with practical tools, design principles, and classroom-ready ideas to help students see science not just as something to learn, but as something they can use to solve the problems that matter most.
Presenters
avatar for Christopher Like

Christopher Like

Science Program Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
With more than two decades in science education, Christopher Like has dedicated his career to expanding access to meaningful, high-quality science learning for all students. He began as a high school science teacher, continually refining his practice to center student thinking and... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

TBA

Evidence-Based Mathematics Instruction in Iowa: Building the Foundation for STEM Success
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
Mathematics is foundational to STEM learning, but not all mathematics instruction provides students with the same opportunities to reason, problem-solve, model and apply ideas. Iowa’s Comprehensive State Mathematics Plan offers a statewide definition of evidence-based mathematics instruction that emphasizes coherent, standards-aligned teaching: conceptual understanding; procedural fluency; application; high-quality instructional materials, and the Standards for Mathematical Practice. The Mathematics Evidence-Based Practices Brief further supports this vision by identifying research-based practices that help students engage deeply with mathematics.


In the session, participants will explore how Iowa’s definition of evidence-based mathematics instruction can guide classroom practice, instructional leadership, professional learning, and STEM integration. Participants will leave with practical strategies for connecting mathematics instruction to STEM outcomes and support all students as confident mathematical thinkers.
Presenters
avatar for Melissa Carlson

Melissa Carlson

Evidence-Based Practices and Dyscalculia Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
Melissa is a Mathematics Consultant with the Iowa Department of Education, where she focuses on supporting teachers and leaders in implementing and strengthening best practices across all tiers of instruction. She brings a diverse perspective from her experiences as a classroom teacher... Read More →
avatar for Christi Donald

Christi Donald

K-12 Mathematics Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
Christi is a K-12 Mathematics Consultant with the Iowa Department of Education, where she supports teachers and leaders in implementing evidence-based mathematics instruction through professional learning, standards implementation, and the use of high-quality instructional materials... Read More →
avatar for April Pforts

April Pforts

K-12 Mathematics Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
April Pforts is a Mathematics Consultant with the Iowa Department of Education who is passionate about helping educators strengthen mathematics teaching and learning. She works alongside teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, and district leaders to support high-quality... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

TBA

Growing STEM in our Community
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
Ankeny Centennial High School’s student-led Garden Club will show how they apply STEM to solve real-world challenges, from designing irrigation systems to growing 1,000 pounds of produce to donate to the local food pantry. Attendees will discover how students collaborate with STEM BEST® Grant recipient Orbis to build raised garden beds. Participants will engage in interactive demonstrations by comparing pantry donation bags with and without fresh produce from the club, learn how native plants and pollinators support a healthy ecosystem, and leave with seeds and practical ideas for creating innovative STEM experiences in their schools. See how the STEM BEST® Program supports this powerful example of education and community partnerships that cultivate student leadership, create meaningful real-world learning, and drive student success.
Presenters
avatar for Alice Baghdasaryan

Alice Baghdasaryan

Student Member, Ankeny Centennial Garden Club
Alice Baghdasaryan is a junior at Ankeny Centennial who is a member of the Gardening Club. She is passionate about Science Bowl and her team placed 3rd in the 2026 state competition. She intends to study cell biology in college and pursue a career in biotechnology.
avatar for Ella Campbell

Ella Campbell

Student Member, Ankeny Centennial Garden Club
My name is Ella Campbell and I am a senior at Ankeny Centennial. I spend my time running cross country, going to Gardening Club, spending time with friends, and working part time jobs. I really enjoy science and hope to one day find a job in STEM with environmental sciences.
avatar for Greta Lee

Greta Lee

Student Member, Ankeny Centennial Garden Club
Greta Lee is a senior at Ankeny Centennial. She has been a home gardener for 3 years before joining Garden Club. Greta is passionate about food insecurity and environmental education, having served as an intern for Mobilize Green in 2026, working on projects for the NFS and Iowa Wildlife... Read More →
avatar for Porter Schlaht

Porter Schlaht

Student Member, Ankeny Centennial Garden Club
Porter Schlaht is a junior at Ankeny Centennial High School and a member of the Garden Club. He enjoys houseplant care, propagation, horticulture, and sharing his knowledge with friends and family. Porter also enjoys volunteering with the Blank Park Zoo’s Zoo Crew and his local... Read More →
avatar for Tanya Hunt

Tanya Hunt

STEM BEST® Program Coordinator, Iowa STEM Advisory Council
Tanya K. Hunt is an Education Program Consultant and STEM BEST® Program Coordinator with the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education. She leads the coordination and advancement of the STEM BEST® Program, supporting authentic work-based learning... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

TBA

Horticulture, Rooted in STEM: Growing Food, Beautifying Spaces, Enriching Lives
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
Join us to explore how horticulture connects STEM concepts to everyday life. Educators will discover the science of managing pests with beneficial insects (part of IPM), the technology and engineering of robotics and automation in modern growing facilities, and the mathematics used to calculate garden layouts and planting timelines. The session also highlights genetics, phenology, and native plant impacts on ecosystems. Participants will learn about diverse horticulture careers, from hands-on outdoor work to technician and indoor roles. Grant resources and reference websites will be shared to support teachers in their classroom activities.
Presenters
avatar for Christina Riessen

Christina Riessen

Horticulture Instructor, DMACC Horticulture
My name is Christina, and horticulture is my passion! I have more than 10 years of industry experience, including nursery production work at Bachman's and Bailey nurseries in Minnesota. Today, I am a horticulture instructor at the DMACC Ankeny campus, where I primarily teach horticulture... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

TBA

Making Energy Learning Matter
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
Energy is one of the most important concepts in science and society. Yet, students commonly struggle to develop deep understanding of energy that is useful outside of school science. This session introduces a novel approach to energy instruction, called the Energy Transfer Approach, that has been developed and tested in projects funded by the National Science Foundation and the Institute for Education Sciences. Through a phenomenon-rich presentation, this session focuses on introducing the Energy Transfer Approach, illustrating its alignment with state and national standards, and sharing evidence of its potential benefit for student learning.
Presenters
avatar for Jeffrey Nordine

Jeffrey Nordine

Professor of Science Education, University of Iowa
Jeffrey Nordine, Ph.D., is a Professor of Science Education at the University of Iowa and a Visiting International Professor at the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN) in Kiel, Germany. A former physics teacher, school administrator, and Chief Scientist at... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

TBA

Mission Moon: Building the Artemis Generation Through Public–Private Partnerships
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
Mission Moon is a collaborative STEM initiative of the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, Iowa 4-H, and Collins Aerospace that connects youth with space exploration, engineering, and aerospace careers. This session highlights how university, youth development, and industry partners created a scalable Artemis-inspired experience for grades 4–8. Participants engage in hands-on activities including lunar site selection, rover and habitat design, water ice exploration, and mission presentations. Attendees will learn how public-private partnerships, STEM role models, educator training, and a train-the-trainer model expand access and strengthen STEM career pathways.
Presenters
avatar for Sara Nelson

Sara Nelson

Director, Iowa Space Grant Consortium/Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Sara Nelson is Director of the Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Iowa State University. She also serves with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the School of Education, where she develops... Read More →
avatar for Taren Reker

Taren Reker

Senior Manager, Collins Aerospace
Taren has spent the past four years at Collins Aerospace leading the Ames, Iowa site as a strategic hub for talent development and innovation in partnership with Iowa State University (ISU). In this role, she supports a large community of student employees, strengthens university... Read More →
Friday November 6, 2026 TBA
  50-Minute

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
avatar for Katie Nedwick

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 →
avatar for Oluwaseun Oti

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
 
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Friday, November 6
Community Choice Credit Union, Iowa Events Center
Grand Ballroom (400 Level)
Room 310
  • 20-Minute
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