Friday's Program

An Autoethnographic Analysis of 40 Years of Technology Education in New York State

Location: Methods Lab 213 Park 

Presented by Clark Greene and Ronald Todd

This session will chronicle one participant’s involvement from the very beginning (1985) of technology education and its evolution in New York State. Presented by an initial Middle and High School curriculum writer, standards initiative participant, Technology Journal editor, classroom teacher, ITEEA committee member and more, this presentation will include a range of media materials, artifacts, and historical anecdotes leading us to today.

This session repeats Session 3: Thursday, 1:15 - 2:00 pm in the Design Studio 203 Park

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Building Skills, Teams, and Careers with U.S. Drone Soccer

Location: Maraviglia Atrium

Presented by Robert (Bob) Payne, Lisa Marie Payne, and John Reade

As mentors and technical-support providers, CNY Drones volunteers help educators integrate drone technology into a low-cost, CoSer-fundable programs where students develop valuable skills in building, coding, flying, troubleshooting, teamwork, and strategy. Students join the pipeline of exploring advanced education, internships, and tech career pathways.  Based out of SUNY Polytechnic Institute's Northeast Drone Soccer Hub, we are centrally located to help your school join the largest contingent of drone soccer teams in the U.S!  AND – get ready! Next summer we’re hosting the FAI 2027 World Drone Soccer Championships with teams from 18 countries at SUNY Poly in Utica, NY!  Come see how it works! Experience a live, hands-on demonstration, and discover how this exciting team sport is a pathway from STEM education to future careers!

This session repeats Session 7: Friday, 10:15 - 11:00 am in the Maraviglia Atrium.

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Data Engineering in the Classroom (Part 1 of Sessions 6 & 7)

*Note: This is a 90 minute, double session (Sessions 6 & 7)

Location: CAD Lab Park 101

Presented by Tyler Morris and Andrew Spagnuolo

In an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems, data is the fundamental currency powering modern technological infrastructures. While data science and AI applications receive significant attention, data engineering, the essential discipline of designing, building, and maintaining pipeline architectures that make data clean, reliable, and accessible, remains underrepresented in technology education. This interactive session bridges real-world data engineering practices with K-12 and higher education technology curricula. Participants will explore core industry concepts and discover practical, classroom-tested pedagogical strategies. Attendees will come away with classroom based activities, low-code/no-code pipeline tools, and hands-on mapping frameworks to integrate data engineering into STEM learning, empowering students to build the foundational data backbone of future technological innovations. Participants will learn how to apply data engineering in their daily lessons at all levels, how to access free datasets online that can be integrated into lessons on data science and engineering, and how they can use their own classroom data to assess performance and participation and gain actionable insights into how to drive student work in this space. They will also learn about real world data engineering methods and best practices and what low or no code data-engineering tools are available and how to access them.

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Teaching Science in Tech

Location: Metals Lab 163 Wilber

Presented by Jared Kaplan

Discover how to expand your technology education department with Crystalline and Polymer Science, a high school course designed to bridge hands-on materials testing with foundational scientific principles. Attendees will learn how this engaging curriculum meets New York State science credit requirements while remaining fully eligible to be taught by certified Technology Education teachers. We will explore key course topics—including molecular structures, synthetic polymers, and material failure analysis—alongside practical lab setups and project-based learning strategies. Join this session to discover how you can offer your students a valuable science credit through a dynamic, technology-driven approach to materials science.

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The Definition of Design

Location: Design Studio 203 Park

Presented by Chris Dolgos and Logan Cullinane

In this presentation, the presenter will discuss the meaning of design and how important it is to teach in the secondary education setting, and especially to those who are seen as non-traditional technology students. From implementation in technology education classes to real world applications, the idea of design is prevalent everywhere. Teaching design goes beyond the classroom setting and allows students to find a deeper understanding of the world around them. 

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Building Sallie Mae Skoolie for College Living

Location: Transportation Lab 115 Park

Presented by Ray Finney, Stacy Finney, and Nate Dubiel

We bought and transformed a school bus into college housing for our son while he was attending engineering school in Colorado. We will discuss choosing the bus, raising the roof, systems, budget, and finding a place to live. Road trip follies, challenges, and success are all part of the story.  Sallie Mae Skoolie will be present for brief tours.

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Teaching Analog Electronics (Part 1 of Sessions 6 & 7)

*Note: This is a 90 minute, double session (Sessions 6 & 7)

Location: Polymer Classroom 191 Wilber

Presented by Earl Gates

This presentation covers tips and techniques for teaching students about analog electronics. Although students may study analog electronics to see if a career in electronics suits them, often their studies don't teach them enough hands on skills to become an electronic technician. A good course should develop a curiosity in analog electronics, help students to understand the vocabulary of the field, and develop the skills required by electronic technicians. These skills include: reading schematic diagrams, assembling printed circuit boards, and the troubleshooting process. A successful course strategy includes using breadboarding and electronic simulation to help students verify an electronic circuit. Other activities should include using solderless breadboards, assembling printed circuit boards, handling electronic parts, and using test equipment. Taking this approach helps to build familiarity and coordination. Industry values students' ability to "do" more than their ability to "know" and hiring companies want students who spend less time learning theory and more time applying their learning hands-on. 

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Woodworking Hand Tool Project (Part 1 of Sessions 6 & 7)

*Note: This is a 90 minute, double session (Sessions 6 & 7)

Location: Woods Lab 193 Wilber

Presented by Joe Sementa

This workshop is designed for those who are looking for an introductory woodworking project focused on the use of hand tools. This screwdriver rack project is completed by using various hand saws, hand planes, files, chisels and a brace and bit. The project includes a CAD shop drawing as well as finishing techniques. The workshop will provide the step by step procedures for making the project using a 1" x 6" x 15" piece of rough sawn basswood and include my best tips for student success!

New York State Master Teacher Program ($60,000 STIPEND opportunity!)

Location: Communications Lab 102 Park

Presented by Adam Seelig

Learn about the application process and the overall New York State Master Teacher Program (NYSMTP), a prestigious statewide initiative established in 2013 to recognize, support, and develop outstanding K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) educators and counselors across New York State. Administered through SUNY, the program creates a professional network of exemplary educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and student engagement. Master Teachers collaborate with fellow educators, participate in high-quality professional learning opportunities, mentor peers and pre-service teachers, and share best practices to strengthen STEM education throughout the state. The program aims to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals while advancing educational innovation and equity. Selected educators receive recognition as instructional leaders and receive a $15,000 annual stipend for four years in support of their continued professional growth and contributions to education.

This session repeats Session 2: Thursday, 10:15-11:00 am in the Communications Lab 102 Park. 

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WHAT?! You want me to teach Intro to Sculpture?

Location: Metals Lab 163 Wilber

Presented by Chad Allen

As Technology and Engineering Educators we are sometimes called upon to go outside of our wheelhouse. Join me as I navigate my way through teaching an art class: how do you find the parallels between the disciplines, keep in line with the state learning standards, and focus on what we know, instead of reinventing the wheel? By the end of the session, all participants will create a quick, small sculpture. 

This session repeats Session 2: Thursday, 10:15 - 11:00 am in the Transportation Lab 115 Park

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Building Skills, Teams, and Careers with U.S. Drone Soccer

Location: Maraviglia Atrium

Presented by Robert (Bob) Payne, Lisa Marie Payne, and John Reade

As mentors and technical-support providers, CNY Drones volunteers help educators integrate drone tech into a low-cost, CoSer-fundable programs where students develop valuable skills in building, coding, flying, troubleshooting, teamwork, and strategy. Students join the pipeline of exploring advanced education, internships, and tech career pathways.  Based out of SUNY Polytechnic Institute's Northeast Drone Soccer Hub, we are centrally located to help your school join the largest contingent of drone soccer teams in the U.S!  AND – get ready! Next summer we’re hosting the FAI 2027 World Drone Soccer Championships with teams from 18 countries at SUNY Poly in Utica, NY!  Come see how it works! Experience a live, hands-on demonstration, and discover how this exciting team sport is a pathway from STEM education to future careers!

This session repeats Session 6: Friday, 9:00 - 9:45 am in the Maraviglia Atrium.

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Data Engineering in the Classroom (Part 2 of Sessions 6 & 7)

*Note: This is a 90 minute, double session (Sessions 6 & 7)

Location: CAD Lab Park 101

Presented by Tyler Morris and Andrew Spagnuolo

In an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems, data is the fundamental currency powering modern technological infrastructures. While data science and AI applications receive significant attention, data engineering - the essential discipline of designing, building, and maintaining pipeline architectures that make data clean, reliable, and accessible- remains underrepresented in technology education. This interactive session bridges real-world data engineering practices with K-12 and higher education technology curricula. Participants will explore core industry concepts and discover practical, classroom-tested pedagogical strategies. Attendees will walk away with classroom based activities, low-code/no-code pipeline tools, and hands-on mapping frameworks to integrate data engineering into STEM learning, empowering students to build the foundational data backbone of future technological innovations. Participants will learn how to apply data engineering in their daily lessons at all levels, how to access free datasets online that can be integrated into lessons on data science and engineering, and how they can use their own classroom data to assess performance and participation and gain actionable insights on how to drive student work in this space. They will also learn about real world data engineering methods and best practices and what low or no code data-engineering tools are available and how to access them.

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Teaching Analog Electronics (Part 1 of Sessions 6 & 7)

*Note: This is a 90 minute, double session (Sessions 6 & 7)

Location: Polymer Classroom 191 Wilber

Presented by Earl Gates

This presentation covers tips and techniques for teaching students about analog electronics. Although students may study analog electronics to see if a career in electronics suits them, often their studies don't teach them enough hands on skills to become an electronic technician. A good course should develop a curiosity in analog electronics, help students to understand the vocabulary of the field, and develop the skills required by electronic technicians. These skills include: reading schematic diagrams, assembling printed circuit boards, and the troubleshooting process. A successful course strategy includes using breadboarding and electronic simulation to help students verify an electronic circuit. Other activities should include using solderless breadboards, assembling printed circuit boards, handling electronic parts, and using test equipment. Taking this approach helps to build familiarity and coordination. Industry values students' ability to "do" more than their ability to "know" and hiring companies want students who spend less time learning theory and more time applying their learning hands-on.

------------------------------------------

Woodworking Hand Tool Project (Part 2 of Sessions 6 & 7)

*Note: This is a 90 minute, double session (Sessions 6 & 7)

Location: Woods Lab 193 Wilber

Presented by Joe Sementa

This workshop is designed for those looking for an introductory woodworking project focused on using hand tools. This screwdriver rack project is completed by using various hand saws, hand planes, files, chisels and a brace and bit. The project includes a CAD shop drawing as well as finishing techniques. The workshop will provide the step by step procedures for making the project using a 1" x 6" x 15" piece of rough sawn basswood as include my best tips for student success!

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From College to Classroom: Lessons We Learned the Hard Way

Location: Methods Lab 213 Park

Presented by Braedy Sickler and William Banks

What happens after graduation, when the real learning begins? Drawing from our first five years as technology education teachers, this session explores the practical realities of entering the profession that are often difficult to learn in a college classroom. We will share lessons from our experiences, including what to look for and ask during the interview process, navigating one-person versus multi-teacher technology departments, advocating for yourself and your program, and adapting to the unexpected challenges of your first years in the classroom. Designed for preservice teachers, student teachers, and early-career educators, this session will provide practical advice, lessons learned, and perspectives to help you make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and enter your technology education career with greater confidence.

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From Class to Coating: My Journey to the Eastman Kodak Company 

Location: Design Studio 203 Park

Presented by Eleni Ioannidis

This presentation focuses on the influence of technology and other course work as it impacted my future career in chemical engineering. I will explain my role in coating processes in Film manufacturing and provide information about our manufacturing facility in Rochester, NY.

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How Does Using AI During the Engineering Design Process Shift Problem-Solving Strategies?

Location: Transportation Lab 115 Park

Presented by Euisuk Sung and Caroline Darin

As AI changes the nature of problem-solving, it raises questions about the approach to the use of AI in engineering design as a foundational tenet of technology and engineering education. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mental processes of students’ problem-solving with and without AI in engineering design. This presentation reports a research study that investigated the impact of AI on students' thought processes in engineering design. The research characterized the patterns of thought processes across pairs of teacher candidates when using AI in engineering design: uncritical acceptance of AI output, co-Design with AI, design delegation to AI, evaluative engagement with AI, and strategic delegation to AI. Ultimately, uncritical use of AI reduced analytic and creative thinking, while groups who used AI as a tool to engage critically with the design task exhibited enhanced questioning and analysis of AI outputs.

Two Technologies, One Workflow: 3D Printing Meets Injection Molding

Location: Polymer Classroom 191 Wilber

Presented by Nathaniel Horn

Desktop injection molding just got a whole lot more accessible! What if your students could design a part in CAD, 3D print the mold, and then actually injection mold that part—all in the classroom? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore how using the Injeckto 3 desktop injection molding machine and 3D printers bring real-world manufacturing processes into the technology education program. Students design molds in CAD, 3D print them, and then use those molds to produce functional, injection-molded parts. This workflow creates an exciting connection between CAD, additive manufacturing, and traditional manufacturing, giving students the opportunity to see their digital designs move from screen to prototype to finished product.

This session repeats in Session 9: Friday, 2:15 - 3:00 pm in the Polymers Classroom 191 Wilber

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From TEECA to the classroom 

Location: Methods Lab 213 Park

Presented by Gillian Lopez

This presentation explores how lessons and activities developed for TEECA competitions can be adapted into meaningful, real-world classroom experiences. I will share my competition-based lessons highlighting the instructional strategies, hands-on activities, and materials used in each. Participants will see how these competition concepts can be modified to fit a classroom setting, connect to curriculum standards, and provide students with authentic opportunities to design, build, problem-solve, and apply technical skills. 

This session repeats in Session 9: Friday, 2:15 - 3:00 pm in the Methods Lab 213 Park

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Are We Becoming the Tools of Our Tools?

Location: Design Studio 203 Park

Presented by Christopher Stein

In 1854, Henry David Thoreau published Walden or, Life in the Woods. In it he documented his two years and two months living on his own away from civilization and technology. In this book, he questions whether humans have become the tool of their tools. In this critical thinking presentation, I will try to explain the balance of technology and nature, and examine what technologies like A.I. promise, but actually deliver. I will also try to give helpful tips and provide a simple design project for your schools and communities to achieve better balance. 

This session repeats in Session 9: Friday, 2:15 - 3:00 pm in the Design Studio 203 Park

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Proto Putty: Mold Making and Materials Processing for the Technology Classroom

Location: Transportation Laboratory 115 Park

Presented by Ron Alexander and David Southwick

In this 45-minute professional development session, technology teachers will explore how 3D-printed molds and Proto Putty can turn a materials processing lesson into a hands-on product design activity. The presentation will discuss how to use a smartphone to 3D scan objects, import the scans into CAD software, and then modify the designs to create molds for 3D printing. We will also demonstrate mixing Proto Putty and filling molds to create custom stamps, small toys, tool handles, and ergonomic grips. Participants will see finished examples and leave with practical ideas for adding fun, creative, mold-making and product development activities to their technology classes.

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First Aid Skills for the Tech Ed Teacher

Location: Woods Lab 193 Wilber

Presented by Carl Pulizzotto and Sean Dean

Two NYS Certified EMTs will provide instruction on hands-on emergency response skills for worst-case scenarios that may occur in a Tech Ed lab. The presentation will begin with a brief lecture covering common injuries and emergency situations. Participants will then take part in hands-on training designed to build confidence and preparedness in responding to basic to moderate injuries. Skills will include controlling bleeding, treating injuries, and taking appropriate steps to help keep students safe until additional medical assistance arrives.

This session repeats in Session 5: Thursday, 3:45-4:30 pm in the Woods Lab 193 Wilber

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Student Teaching Round Table

Location: Methods Lab 213 Park

Presented by Rich Bush

Attention Cooperating Teachers! Please come and share your thoughts on how we can improve our student teaching experience. 

This session repeats in Session 4: Thursday, 2:30 - 3:15 pm in the Methods Lab 213 Park Hall

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Semi-Autonomous Universal Lightweight Transportation Platform

Location: Metals Lab 163 Wilber

Presented by Shawn Clark, Ethann Browne, and Anthony Harter

Commercial automated guided vehicles are often prohibitively expensive for small-scale operations. This presentation showcases a cost-effective, self-driving transport platform built on a recycled mobility scooter chassis. Using LiDAR for obstacle avoidance and a ground-tag NFC system for navigation, it autonomously carries heavy loads through warehouses or campus settings.

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Automated Medication Dispenser

Location: CAD Lab 101 Park

Presented by Cullen Miller and Gavin McIntosh

Managing complex daily medication routines poses significant risks for elderly individuals. This session presents a smart, modular dispenser designed to improve adherence and eliminate dosing errors. The system features scheduled multi-pill dispensing, fingerprint authentication, optical and weight-based dose verification, and real-time SMS alerts.