Equity in Education

Workshop Description: This workshop provides tips and strategies for completing the college application process, including learning about application requirements, writing essays, and choosing majors. 

Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Problem-solving, Small group work, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Writing, Q&A

This workshop is offered: AM, sessions 1 & 2

Content Level: Beginner

Speaker Bio: Dr. Adomako is a Program Manager at the UW-Madison's School of Education. She is also a Career & Academic coach. She has held various roles in academic & career advising services, teaching, belonging, and inclusion. Her work has involved guiding students across the educational pipeline by counseling and supporting them as they transition and navigate the college experience. 

Workshop Description: Doodle Lounge: a space (typically run online) where neurodivergent artists aged 8+ come together daily to share their work, offer support, and collaborate. Each session starts with a fun Doodle Prompt, followed by free time to draw with pencil and paper or an iPad. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills or enjoy a creative community, Doodle Lounge offers a welcoming space for all. 

Participants can expect: Hands-on Activity, Small group work, Hands-on working with digital technology: iPads + laptops

This is a unified workshop. Participants will be partnered with a student with disabilities. 

This workshop is offered: PM, sessions 3 & 4

Content Level: Beginner 

Speaker Bio: 

Chris Willey (he/him) is the Director of Technology at Islands of Brilliance, where he helps neurodivergent teens and young adults build creative tech skills through hands-on, future-facing programs. A former college professor and founder of an immersive media lab, he’s spent over a decade teaching digital art, animation, 3D, and emerging media. 

Natalie Derr (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of digital media and traditional studio practices. Grounded in her training in Digital Studio Practice and Painting & Drawing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she leverages creative intervention to support identity exploration for neurodivergent students. As Lead Creative Technologist at Islands of Brilliance, her focus is to build curriculum supporting empathy, imagination, and inclusive artmaking to foster connection among her students. 

Workshop Description: Side Quest is a motivation-first, tutorial-powered learning community designed for neurodivergent creators. This session centers on digital illustration in Procreate, beginning with a shared exploration of color, one focused technique that gives everyone a confident starting point. From there, participants move into related tutorials and parallel play, developing their own illustrations side by side while following their curiosity and creative momentum. 

Participants can expect: Hands-on Activity, Small group work, Hands-on working with digital technology: iPads + laptops

This is a unified workshop. Participants will be partnered with a student with disabilities. 

This workshop is offered: PM, sessions 3 & 4

Content Level: Beginner 

Speaker Bio: 

Chris Willey (he/him) is the Director of Technology at Islands of Brilliance, where he helps neurodivergent teens and young adults build creative tech skills through hands-on, future-facing programs. A former college professor and founder of an immersive media lab, he’s spent over a decade teaching digital art, animation, 3D, and emerging media. 

Natalie Derr (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of digital media and traditional studio practices. Grounded in her training in Digital Studio Practice and Painting & Drawing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she leverages creative intervention to support identity exploration for neurodivergent students. As Lead Creative Technologist at Islands of Brilliance, her focus is to build curriculum supporting empathy, imagination, and inclusive artmaking to foster connection among her students.