Sessions

Beyond the Walls: Designing Learning Environments and Experiences That Connect and Inspire

Morgan Buterbaugh and Brenna Wagner
Learning doesn’t happen in isolation—and neither should the spaces or experiences designed to support it. Beyond the Walls invites educators and school leaders to explore how learning environments and instructional experiences work together to shape engagement, accessibility, and student success.

This session examines how classrooms, libraries, and shared learning spaces can remove barriers—or unintentionally create them—depending on how intentionally they are designed and used. Through research-backed insights and interactive reflection, participants will explore human-centered design principles that support flexibility, inclusion, and student agency.

Attendees will leave with practical, actionable strategies to better align space, pedagogy, and purpose, creating learning environments that foster connection, creativity, and meaningful learning for all students.
Overall focus (K–12)

Building Better Scientists with LEGO Education Science

Jeremy Umbenhauer

Attendees will transform into the student role in this exploration of the new LEGO Education Science Kits. We will work through one of the build lessons designed for the grade 6-8 kits and discuss some things that I have learned in my first year of implementation.  Target audience would be K-8 educators as LEGO Education Science Kits are banded K-2, 3-5 and 6-8.  

Elementary focus (K-6)

Conquering Creativity

Nicole Reppert
In an educational climate in which more and more seems to be piling up, move that mountain and allow creativity to flourish with LESS! Imposing constraints within our classroom can lead to enhanced creativity. Gain altitude by engaging in practical exercises and project ideas that provide limits and restrictions to further challenge students. No cliff hangers here...just a session focused on opportunities to elevate your creativity through constraints that make more out of less!
Elementary focus (K–6)

Creativity Fair

Christin Lopez
The Creativity Fair is an end-of-year celebration where students showcase their learning by presenting on a topic of their choice connected to what they studied throughout the school year. This cross-curricular event encourages student voice and choice, allowing them to demonstrate understanding in a format that best fits their strengths and interests—such as creating a website, giving a speech, designing a booth, or leading a demonstration.

The Creativity Fair not only highlights academic growth across subjects but also fosters communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills as students share their projects with peers, families, and the school community.
Elementary focus (K–6)

Creativity as Access: Planning Instruction That Honors Learner Variability

Elizabeth Eveler
This session reframes creativity as a critical tool that helps educators proactively design instruction rather than relying on reactive accommodations. Participants will explore lesson-planning strategies that anticipate diverse cognitive, sensory, linguistic, and executive functioning needs. The session will show how intentional flexibility through choice, scaffolding, and multiple pathways supports student access and teacher sustainability.
Elementary focus (K–6)

Engaging Middle Graders with Sphero Bolts

Judy Trusz
Participants will walk away with a basic understanding of the Sphero EDU app using the block coding canvas.  We will walk through an initial block coding activity with Spheros and a everything an educator needs to teach a variety of engaging, student tested lessons will be shared.
Elementary focus (K–6)

From Genes to Geology: Creative STEELS Strategies for Cross-Grade Connections

Alyson Weaver, Leona Gruver, Tayler Thorne, and Julie Walizer
This session introduces the Creative Dragon Project as a cross-grade STEELS curriculum bridge. In 7th grade, students design dragon offspring to model Mendelian genetics using ratios, probability, and inheritance patterns. Students create and document offspring traits, saving projects for future analysis.

In 8th grade, instruction begins with a Change Over Time fossil excavation lab where students uncover dragon fossils and analyze structural changes. Students reconnect with their prior dragon designs to explore mutations, natural selection, and environmental adaptations. Learners evaluate how environmental pressures influence trait survival and species evolution.

The session models student-centered projects, hands-on labs, and scaffolded activities that promote continuity between grade levels. Teachers will explore strategies for implementing interdisciplinary STEELS concepts while increasing engagement, creativity, and long-term conceptual understanding across science standards.
Secondary focus (6–12)

From Bricks to Breakthroughs: Hands-On Science, CS, and AI for K–8 Classrooms

Evangelia Papacostas and Tom Taylor

Discover how LEGO® Education supports K–8 instruction across science, computer science, and emerging AI concepts through hands-on, standards-aligned learning.

In this interactive session, educators will explore how LEGO® Education lessons help students investigate scientific phenomena, build foundational computer science skills, and begin thinking about data, patterns, and systems that contribute to AI. You’ll see classroom-ready strategies that spark curiosity, support inquiry, and connect learning to real-world contexts, all while aligning to the CSTA standards and Pennsylvania’s STEELS standards.

Elementary focus (K–6)

From Ideas to Impact: Elevating Project-Based Learning Through AI

Brittany Freda & Blasia Dunham
Project-Based Learning (PBL) empowers students to explore big ideas, solve authentic problems, and make meaningful connections between classroom learning and the real world. In this session, discover how SchoolAI amplifies those experiences by serving as a creative thinking partner for both teachers and students. Learn how AI tools can help students brainstorm, organize, and present projects—while giving teachers streamlined ways to guide inquiry, provide feedback, and assess deeper learning. See real examples of SchoolAI in action and leave with practical strategies to bring PBL to life in your classroom through the power of AI.

Overall focus (K–12)

Computational Thinking & Shakespearean Literature

Sara Hricik
Can iambic pentameter be Pythonic? Of course! Join us to explore the many intersections between Computational Thinking and Shakespearean literature. We will decompose some Shakespearean text, investigate the patterns and abstraction therein, and learn about the algorithms that Shakespearean actors have used for centuries to execute the Bard’s programs from page to stage. The unplugged activities included in this session are equally suitable for English Literature, Computer Science, and Theatre classes.
Secondary focus (6–12)

PA 4-H Engineering Design Challenge

Toni Stuetz
The goal of this challenge is to encourage critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem solving in a non-traditional learning event and to have fun in the process. Participants will apply their STEM knowledge and skills to solve problems by identifying and researching them, then making and implementing a plan to design a solution.  Student will create a Rube Goldberg style machine, with the option of participating in a state-wide contest.  Participation in the Statewide contest is virtual, and students can enter as individuals or small teams.
Overall focus (K–12)

Plan Less, Play More: Genially & Wayground

Raelee Taylor
Bringing your laptop is preferred for this session. Cut planning time and boost student engagement using the free versions of Genially and Wayground. In this hands‑on session you’ll learn about escape rooms, classroom-ready activities, and AI features that turn static slides into interactive experiences. Topics include: quick interactive slide creation, tailoring templates for your content area, and streamlining workflow to save prep time. Practical demo segments show how to customize templates in minutes and launch activities live with students. I’ll also model ways you can use the interactive activities in your classroom. Leave with lots of ideas and classroom-ready resources so you can implement Monday morning! No paid subscriptions required. 

Overall focus (K–12)

Re-Visiting & Re-Thinking Novel Engineering

Shannon Oliver
Re-discover Novel Engineering with a modern twist! While the core of Novel Engineering—identifying problems in a text and designing solutions—remains timeless, the tools have evolved. This session highlights the initiative to integrate 3D design and printing into the traditional framework. We will walk through the "Re-Thought" process: identifying character needs, sketching solutions, and utilizing 3D modeling to bring those solutions to life. We will share student success stories, project rubrics, and the specific "tweaks" needed to make 3D printing a seamless part of the literary experience.

Elementary focus (K–6)

Sensory STEM: Play, Learn, Explore

Emily Book and Kaitlin Pauling
1. Introduction

*Welcome & session goals

*Quick “myth-busting” about STEM needing big budgets

2. Context & Inspiration

*Why STEM camps matter for K–5 learners & Overview of Greenwood Elementary School’s summer camp vision

3. Designing the Camp

*Low-cost strategies (repurposed materials, grants)

*Integrating the 4C’s into every activity

4. Sample Activities

*Sensory STEM stations (taste, touch, smell, sight)

5. Student Impact

*Highlights of student engagement and feedback

*How curiosity and creativity were sparked

6. Takeaways & Resources

*Practical tips for starting a low-cost STEM program/camp

*Resources and lesson ideas attendees can adapt

*Lesson ideas & resource list

7. Q&A / Reflection

*Open discussion

*Invite participants to share how they might adapt ideas for their own schools

Elementary focus (K–6)

Spark Curiosity & Engagement with Curipod

Kathy Schock

Join an Instructional Technology Coach for this collaborative, hands-on session to learn how Curipod gives every student a voice in the classroom! Explore how this tool boosts student engagement with polls, word clouds, AI-powered feedback, and more. Participants will experience Curipod first as a student, before exploring the Curipod interface. Leave this session energized and ready to use Curipod in any grade or content area!

Overall focus (K-12)

Spark Student Projects Creatively with Canva

Frannie Shue
You will leave with ideas and projects your elementary students (although you can adapt to the middle school level) can do on Canva.  These projects will be integrated subjects where differentiated instruction and assessment can be used easily.  Canva is not only teacher tool, but a student's tool for making creative projects allowing student's ideas to spark learning.  Bring your computer with you so you can follow along to create a project to take back to your classroom or school district.
Elementary focus (K–6)

Strategies for Putting Creativity to Work in Schools

Larry Keiser, PhD
Following a brief, interactive presentation on why teachers and students need to move beyond simply “doing” creative activities, participants will explore the importance of recognizing creativity as it occurs and engaging in it with intention. They will examine common barriers to creativity, including functional fixedness and unintentional squelching, and consider how they could thoughtfully leverage AI to support creative thinking. Participants will complete several self-assessments related to a creative mindset that they can use with their students or colleagues, and practice using several hands-on tools and techniques to integrate creativity into instructional practice more effectively. The session will conclude with a discussion of seven specific ways creativity is commonly undermined in classrooms, while simultaneously modeling what it looks like to lead and teach through creativity.
Overall focus (K–12)

Student-Driven Podcasting on a $0 Budget

Kim Dunlap
Come learn how our intermediate school started our own Podcast, "SGI Inside Scoop" without needing a budget to start or sustain the program. Learn about our process and how we select our team. You'll leave being able to start your own Podcast - small or large.
Overall focus (K–12)

Talk, Think, Create: Purposeful Discourse for Student-Centered Classrooms

Jennifer Sciacca
Creative classrooms are built on students’ ideas, voices, and interactions. In this session, educators will explore how purposeful discourse can unlock creativity and deepen engagement in any content area. Participants will experience practical talk routines and teacher moves that help students share their thinking, build on one another’s ideas, and take a more active role in classroom learning. Everyone will leave with simple, ready-to-use strategies that can be implemented immediately to promote student creativity, collaboration, and ownership.

Overall focus (K–12)

Teaching the Skill No One Teaches: Helping Students Build Social Confidence

Rachel Andreoli
Student participation and creativity are often treated as personality-driven, yet they are shaped by classroom social dynamics that educators can intentionally design. This session reframes social confidence as a learnable, practice-based skill that directly impacts engagement and learning.

Participants will explore how invisible social pressures affect student behavior, why capable learners may withdraw, and how small, low-stakes interaction choices can increase willingness to speak, ask questions, and collaborate. The session emphasizes realistic strategies that fit into existing classroom routines rather than adding more to teachers’ workloads.

Educators will leave with practical tools to reduce social friction and create classroom environments where students feel safe to contribute ideas, take creative risks, and engage more fully in learning.

Overall focus (K–12)

The Question Is the Answer

Dayna Laur
In most classrooms, we treat problems like puzzles: the teacher provides the pieces, and the student's job is to fit them together. But in the real world, the most profound acts of creativity don’t come from solving the problems we are given; they come from identifying the problems everyone else has missed. This session challenges the traditional "solution-first" pedagogy, arguing that true innovation is a byproduct of high-level inquiry, not just efficient execution.

We will explore how to shift the focus from "the right answer" to "the better question." By teaching students to interrogate the status quo, identify friction in the mundane, and map the complexity of a challenge before attempting to solve it, we empower them with a future-proof creative skill set.

Participants will leave with practical strategies to implement "Problem-Finding" frameworks. Let's support learners in becoming the architects of their own challenges.
Overall focus (K–12)

The Transformation Toolkit: Turning Curriculum Into Adventures

Cristi Means
From well-loved transformations like Contraction Surgery to immersive experiences like Starbucks Café Day, teachers are discovering how simple ideas can spark big engagement. Explore high-impact ways to transform a classroom, boost student engagement, and bring academic standards to life through playful, meaningful experiences. We’ll break down how to design a theme, set the scene, incorporate props, and weave standards seamlessly into every activity.

Educators will walk away with:

-A customizable menu template for café-style or restaurant-themed lessons.

-A printable headband template for quick transformations—perfect for surgeons, detectives, chefs, scientists, and more.

-A curated list of Dollar Store staples that can be reused across multiple transformations (clipboards, tablecloths, labels, baskets, props, and organizers).

-The confidence and know-how to turn any unit into an unforgettabe adventure that captures students’ imaginations.
Elementary focus (K–6)

Twisted Pixels

Judy Bower and ​​Brooke Solesky
Participants will learn about the basics and potential STEAM applications of 2x2 puzzle cubes. Focusing on the A in STEAM, we will use a basic algorithm to create a group mosaic. This activity combines math, computational thinking and art concepts while keeping learning collaborative, relevant, engaging and fun for all students.
Elementary focus (K–6)