Friday's Program

Empower Your HS Program with Robotics and Computer Science!

Mark Harrell     

Time: Session 6 9:00-11:00 Room: Methods Lab 213 Park

THIS IS A DOUBLE SESSION and continues into Session 7.

Calling High School Technology Education Teachers! Learn how ITEEA, Hofstra University, and NC State are transforming CS education through Project EXCITE II, an NSF-funded initiative. This program enhances AP Computer Science Principles with robotics and hands-on coding using the “Beauty and Joy of Computing” curriculum. Attendees will explore grant details and how to apply. Selected teachers for the 2026–27 cohort receive a robotics kit ($2800 value), $2000 honorarium, travel reimbursement, free ITEEA membership, and 90 CE hours. Join us to reimagine CS instruction and empower future tech leaders!

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Running In-Service Professional Development

Chad Allen     

Time: Session 6 9:00-9:45 Room: Metals Lab 163 Wilber

Repeat: Does not repeat. 

A PowerPoint presentation about creating and facilitating an In-service Professional Development course. As a means of teaching our content to other teachers in your district. Accomplishing multiple objectives and district goals including raising district wide awareness of our content and practices.  

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Drone Soccer’s Hands On, Sports-Centric Approach to Filling the Tech Pipeline 

Robert Payne, Lisa Marie Payne  

Time: Session 6 9:00-9:45 Room: Maraviglia Atrium

Repeat: Session 7 10:15-11:00 Room for Repeat: Maraviglia Atrium

CNY Drones volunteers from education and industry share the basics of U.S. Drone Soccer, a CTE program and internationally recognized STEM sport.  National Association connects educators with getting started resources and standards aligned lesson plans. A network of District leaders maintains a competition ladder moving teams from scrimmages to a 24-team National Championship with access to World Air Sports Federation international competition. From classroom to afterschool programs, the U.S. Drone Soccer Association (501c3) continues to grow, onboarding nearly 8 teams per month across the Country.  New York State, with our SUNY Polytechnic Institute hub, leads the way with the largest contingent of teams & programs for the 4th year.  Are you in?

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Fall 2025 ECE Capstone projects

Jason Wuytack, ECE Capstone students  

Time: Session 6 9:00-9:45 Room: CADD LAB 101 Park

Repeat: Does not repeat.

These are the capstone projects for the ECE department for this semester

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Woodworking Hand Tool Project

Joe Sementa, Norm Lein  

Time: Session 6 9:00-11:00 Room: Woods Lab 193 Wilber

THIS IS A DOUBLE SESSION and continues into Session 7

This workshop is designed for those who are looking for an introductory woodworking  project focusing on hand tools. This screwdriver rack project is completed by using various hand saws, hand planes, files, chisels and a brace and bit. Included in the project is a CAD shop drawing of the project as well as finishing techniques. During the workshop we will provide the step by step procedures for making the project from a 1" x 6" x 15" piece of basswood as well as tips for student success!

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Tap That Tree! Starting a Maple Program at Your School

Daniel Hall     

Time: Session 3 1:15-2:00 Room: Polymer Classroom 191 Wilber

Repeat: Session 6 9:00-9:45 Room for Repeat: Polymer Classroom 191 Wilber

Maple tapping has a deep and storied history across the Northeast and especially in New York. This presentation will leave attendees with all the knowledge required to start sugarin' on land your school already has available. From equipment and procedure to student involvement, starting a maple program is probably easier than you think.

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Relative Compression Testing Using PicoScope

Ronald Alexander     

Time: Session 7 10:15-11:00 Room: Transportation Systems Lab 115 Park

Repeat: Does not repeat.

Description:
This session demonstrates how to use a PicoScope for relative compression testing in internal combustion engines, tailored for transportation technology educators. Participants will learn step-by-step procedures for capturing and interpreting compression waveforms, identifying cylinder performance issues, and integrating diagnostic data into hands-on lab instruction. Real-world classroom strategies and troubleshooting tips from my experience teaching transportation technology will be shared, along with guidance on aligning labs with industry standards and enhancing students’ technical problem-solving skills.

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World Builders: Teaching Technology and Society using Minecraft

Bryan Diaz-Ximello     

Time: Session 7 10:15-11:00 Room: Communication Systems Lab 102 Park

Repeat: Does not repeat. 

This presentation highlights the Liberty Partnerships Program’s Minecraft World Solution Expo, where 4th-11th grade students became researchers and innovators. Students investigated global issues such as climate change, hunger, clean water, and sustainable cities, then designed creative solutions in Minecraft: Education Edition. Their research and digital builds culminated in a science fair–style expo, where students presented to peers, educators, and community members.

The project blended academic research with game-based design, bridging STEM, social sciences, and technology literacy. Students practiced collaboration, public speaking, and evidence-based reasoning while imagining solutions to real challenges.

This session will share strategies for guiding research, scaffolding Minecraft as a design tool, and structuring showcases. Attendees will gain practical insights to adapt this framework and empower students as world builders tackling global issues, one block at a time.

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From Students to Leaders: Success Through High School Manufacturing Companies

Arthur Eggink, Allen Turton  

Time: Session 7 10:15-11:00 Room: Polymer Classroom 191 Wilber

Repeat: Does not repeat.

This presentation highlights how a high school manufacturing program can transform students into leaders through the creation and operation of a student-run company. We will share the story of Bulldog Manufacturing—why it was built, the challenges we faced along the way, and the strategies that helped us succeed.

Attendees will gain insight into the dual benefits of teaching advanced manufacturing skills while giving students real-world business experience. We will showcase how students developed leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and professional skills while managing authentic projects and clients. Success stories will illustrate the long-term impact on student growth and post-graduation opportunities.

The session will conclude with practical takeaways and guidance for schools interested in starting their own student-run manufacturing company, offering a roadmap to help educators replicate this powerful learning experience in their districts.
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Power up your teaching with AI tools in and out of the classroom

Tyler Morris     

Time: Session 1 (Thursday) 9:00-9:45 Room: Polymer Classroom 191 Wilber

Repeat: Session 7 (Friday) 10:15-11:00 Room for Repeat: Design Studio 203 Park

This session will feature live demonstrations on use of various AI tools beyond ChatGPT that can be used to enhance your abilities as an instructor, and ease your workload. Discover how to create effective rubrics that leverage AI technology for consistent, detailed, and actionable feedback. This session explores the intersection of traditional rubric design and emerging AI capabilities, teaching participants how to craft clear, specific criteria that AI can interpret and apply reliably. In addition, there will be structuring criteria for comprehensive AI evaluation across multiple dimensions to balance quantitative scoring with qualitative feedback.

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Budget-Friendly Electricity Projects that Spark Learning 

Mike Petrie, Jeremy Calkins  

Time: Session 2 (Thursday) 10:15-11:00 Room: Metals Lab 163 Wilber

Repeat: Session 7 (Friday) 10:15-11:00 Room for Repeat: Metals Lab 163 Wilber

As technology educators, we strive to provide meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities while working within the constraints of our budget. This session will present a variety of affordable electricity project ideas complete with resources and cost breakdowns. Activities range from single-day lessons to multi-week projects, with a focus on direct current (DC) applications. Each project is adaptable for both middle and high school classrooms, making them easy to integrate into your existing curriculum. Whether you are introducing an electricity unit for the first time or looking to expand your current electricity course, you’ll leave with practical, budget-conscious ideas ready to implement.

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Drone Soccer’s Hands On, Sports-Centric Approach to Filling the Tech Pipeline 

Robert Payne, Lisa Marie Payne  

Time: Session 6 9:00-9:45 Room: Maraviglia Atrium

Repeat: Session 7 10:15-11:00 Room for Repeat: Maraviglia Atrium

CNY Drones volunteers from education and industry share the basics of U.S. Drone Soccer, a CTE program and internationally recognized STEM sport.  The National Association connects educators with getting started resources and standards aligned lesson plans. A network of District leaders maintains a competition ladder moving teams from scrimmages to a 24-team National Championship with access to World Air Sports Federation international competition. From classroom to afterschool programs, the U.S. Drone Soccer Association (501c3) continues to grow, onboarding nearly 8 teams per month across the Country.  New York State, with our SUNY Polytechnic Institute hub, leads the way with the largest contingent of teams & programs for the 4th year.  Are you in?

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FC25 Fall Conference Presentations Session 8 1:15-2:00

Screen Printing: The Technology Behind the Art

Leiann Kief     

Time: Session 8 1:15-3:15 Room: Communication Systems Lab 102 Park

THIS IS A DOUBLE SESSION and continues into Session 9

This hands-on, immersive workshop will explore the history and technologies behind the art of screen printing. Participants will be able to create their own prints using techniques discussed in the presentation, and learn about ways that screen printing can be made more accessible to all. Come experience this modern day blend of technology and art!

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Recycled Paper: An Unconventional Composite

Emlyn Doell, Ruthie Taber  

Time: Session 8 1:15-3:15 Room: Woods Lab 193 Wilber

THIS IS A DOUBLE SESSION and continues into Session 9

Explore the world of papermaking through testing unique fibers! Learn how to creatively approach papermaking as a lesson on composite materials and sustainable recycling. Can you easily make paper from punk wood in a classroom? All materials will be provided. 

Double 90 Minute

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Unlikely Lovers: Applying Tech Ed to Theater

Jacob Wallach     

Time: Session 8 1:15-2:00 Room: Polymer Classroom 191 Wilber

Repeat: Does not repeat.

Tech Education and Tech Theatre… together they share a word, but they can share so much more, like classes. In this presentation, we will discuss and look at ways we can attract a new audience to Technology Education, through the lens of Theater. From Design to Woodworking, from Plastics to CAD, these two fields are far more alike 

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Using the Sphero Indi robot in the Elementary Classroom

Tracy Young     

Time: Session 8 1:15-2:00 Room: Methods Lab 213 Park

Repeat: Does not repeat.

Join Tracy Young for an engaging, hands-on session exploring how to use Sphero indi in your elementary classroom!  Designed for Pre-K and up, Sphero indi transforms screen-free play into powerful learning through problem-solving and computational thinking. Students use color tiles—each representing a coded instruction—to guide indi through mazes, routines, and stories.  Whether modeling classroom procedures, retelling a plot, or solving challenges, students learn through interactive play while developing key skills like color recognition, sequencing, decomposition, pattern recognition, and cause and effect.  When they're ready for more, the Sphero Jr App introduces block-based coding, allowing students to reprogram indi’s movements, sounds, and lights—opening the door to endless creativity and fun!

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Introduction to Programming with Alice 3.0

Joe Sementa     

Time: Session 8 1:15-3:15 Room: CADD Lab 101 Park

THIS IS A DOUBLE SESSION and continues into Session 9

Are you looking to introduce coding to your students but you don't feel confident with a programming language?  Are you looking to create a quick but fun unit for your general technology program? Are you interested in animation? If you answered 'YES' to any of these questions then Alice 3.0 might be the application for you! In this workshop you will learn the features of Alice and how to incorporate it with your students in a variety of ways.  This fun and user friendly application helps students learn the fundamentals of programming with an easy drag and drop block coding environment. No messy code or syntax. With Alice your students can create a virtual worlds with a cast of characters that result in animations from simple to highly complex and everything in between.

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Teaching design by making Toaster tongs, by using old and new tools

Christopher Stein     

Time: Session 8 1:15-2:00 Room: Design Studio 203 Park

Repeat: Session 9 2:15-3:00 Room for Repeat: Design Studio 203 Park

Toasters kill more people every year than sharks! Learn about a fun hands-on project idea that blends ideas and techniques from the ancients, 20th century designers, and utilizes modern day tools such as 3-D Printers, iPads, and laser cutters. You will learn about commonplace books, analog markers, and toaster tongs as a human centered artifact. This project idea is applicable to all age levels and grades.

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