Pre Conference Sessions

The Mentor Mindset: How to Motivate Middle School Students with David Yeager

Join developmental psychologist David Yeager, author of 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People, and lead instructor for the MasterClass “The Power of Mindset,” for an engaging one-day workshop exploring how to unlock motivation in middle school students. Grounded in cutting-edge research, this session introduces the “Mentor Mindset”, a practical approach that combines high expectations with high support to help students thrive during a stage of heightened sensitivity to respect and belonging.

Participants will learn how to deliver “wise feedback” that inspires effort, reframe stress as a source of growth, and create classroom and home environments where students feel both challenged, valued and empowered. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and practice scenarios, participants will gain tools to connect with and motivate their own middle schoolers! By the end of the day, attendees will be equipped with strategies to guide middle schoolers with confidence, compassion, and purpose, building motivation that lasts well beyond adolescence. 

Join David to learn about the new science of motivating young people, how to adopt the “Mentor Mindset” to strengthen connections and inspire achievement, and make your own life easier in the process! Read David’s book, watch his MasterClass with Carol Dweck, and come prepared with your questions!

Inspire Citizens’ Empathy to Impact Approach: A curriculum enhancing approach to level up global citizenship, reciprocal service learning, and education for sustainable development with Aaron Moniz

The Inspire Citizens Empathy to Impact approach follows the Care- Aware- Able- Impact framework. This is a service learning cycle, an enhanced inquiry cycle, and project-based learning cycle, and a method of enhancing any curriculum approach. Participants will develop student empathy by engaging with the Sustainable Development Goals, Social Justice Standards, Well-being indicators, and more.

Participants will look for opportunities to enhance action through Inspire Citizens' Action menu and community assets mapping, participants will explore tools for authentic investigation to allow students to become more deeply aware of the issues that they care about, and all will be integrated into curricular outcomes to enhance existing curriculum for global citizenship, service, and action for sustainability. Educators will walk away with a plan to engage learners ready to go. 

This workshop is designed for middle school educators and will focus on how the approach can be applied in middle years learning contexts.The session will also feature examples of work from other middle school educators across the region, offering inspiration and practical insight into how these practices come to life in different school settings. 

Leading Inclusive Change: with Compassion, Connection and Collaboration with Angeline Aow

Leading schools to be totally inclusive learning cultures is both vital and complex, requiring commitment, empathy, and effective learning, facilitation and leadership. In this preconference, we will explore essential concepts that are powerful tools to guide you through transformative shifts that can enhance your inclusive practices.

We’ll start by grounding ourselves in the ‘why’ behind our actions, ensuring alignment with our purpose and consider how to shift cultural norms by managing change. Amplify your own agency for total inclusivity by renewing your heart (compassion), strengthen intercultural practices (connection) and systems for belonging (collaboration). Leave with an overview of fundamental considerations, deeper understanding of guiding principles of humanising practice and practical next steps to advocate for back in your own learning community.

Empowering Educational Leaders: Leveraging AI for Personal and Schoolwide Transformation with Jeff Utecht 

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping the landscape of learning, leadership, and school operations. In this session, educational leaders will go hands-on and explore how to harness AI as a transformative tool for personal productivity, strategic decision-making, and enhancing teaching and learning across their institutions. 

Participants will examine practical use cases, ethical considerations, and how to foster a culture of innovation within their schools. Through hands-on activities and collaborative discussions, attendees will leave with a foundational understanding of AI tools, frameworks for implementation, and actionable strategies to support their teams in navigating this emerging technology. 

Whether you're just beginning to explore AI or seeking ways to scale existing efforts, this session will provide the insight and confidence needed to lead your community through the evolving AI landscape. A laptop and a free AI account is needed for this session. 

Mental Health and Self-Esteem in the Middle School Classroom with Natasha Devon

This full day workshop will focus on practical tips for embedding cost and time effective activities into your classroom.  Some key aspects of our morning session will include how to help students manage stress and anxiety; preparing students for the emotional toll exams can take and encouraging students to self-regulate around technology and social media.  

In the afternoon we will open up a discussion on the practicalities of talking to students or colleagues about mental health concerns.  We will highlight what to do if a disclosure is made to you, the best and worst things to say to someone struggling with their mental health, and how to encourage someone to open up if you’re concerned about them.

The Curator Challenge Experience with Matthew Hayes from ISP's Curator Project

Participants will have the opportunity to step into the role of a museum curator in this immersive, hands-on experience designed to bring artifact analysis and historical inquiry to life. This session will guide educators through a one-day version of the Curator Challenge, a program developed in collaboration with the Lobkowicz Palace Museum (2018 Documentary short form) and is in the 16th year at the International School of Prague.

Participants will receive an uncatalogued historical object from the Lobkowicz Collections and take on the challenge of inspecting, documenting, and researching it—just as real museum curators do. Through artefact analysis, research, and discussion, participants will determine the object's purpose, historical significance, and what it reveals about society in Bohemia.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Gain practical strategies for artefact-based inquiry and historical thinking

• Learn how to foster student engagement through hands-on research

• Explore methods to encourage evidence-based reasoning and collaboration

•  Present their findings in a culminating showcase, just as students do in the Curator Challenge

This session is for history, social studies, and interdisciplinary educators looking for innovative ways to deepen student inquiry, critical thinking, and connection to the past through objects. You’ll leave with ready-to-use strategies and inspiration for implementing object-based learning in your own classroom.

Join us for a day of discovery, analysis, and storytelling at the Lobkowicz Palace, and experience the power of artefacts as windows into history.

Design as a Superpower – Empowering Every Educator in the Makerspace with Nichole Foster in collaboration with  PrusaLab.

What if design was your classroom’s secret superpower? In an age of low-cost, user-friendly tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and digital design software, every teacher—not just “tech experts”—can empower students to be makers and changemakers. This session is for educators across all subjects who are curious about how design can help students showcase their understanding in fresh, creative ways—even in the age of AI.

We’ll play, experiment, and plan together as we reimagine the makerspace as a place where every discipline belongs. You’ll see how giving students the freedom to become the experts while you take on the role of coach can open up new possibilities for learning. If you’ve tried these technologies before and felt frustrated, don’t worry—the tools have come a long way. An Autodesk instructor will also be with us to help you upskill in Tinkercad and/or Fusion.

Grounded in the simple framework of “Toolset, Skillset, Mindset,” you’ll leave with practical strategies and playful ideas for integrating design into your teaching. Think of it as building your own Cabinet of Curiosities: a collection of possibilities that can spark creativity, critical thinking, and wonder in your students at the PrusaLab.