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Tuesday, October 13
 

8:30am CDT

Your AI Treasure Chest: Creating & Sharing Gemini Gems
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Gems are reusable, custom prompts that save your best AI workflows for instant access, and they are a game-changer for educators! In this deep-dive session you will learn how to create your own Gems, with tips for effective prompting and uploading reference files. We'll also cover how to share your Gems with colleagues and how schools can build a shared, high-quality Gem repository for staff and students. To see their full potential, we will tour my "EduGems" website and demonstrate powerful, ready-to-use prompts for lesson hooks, rubric generation, DOK analysis, and even creating AI-powered classroom games. 
Speakers
avatar for Eric Curts

Eric Curts

EdTech Trainer, Control Alt Achieve
Eric has been in education for 35 years, and currently serves as a Technology Integration Specialist for SPARCC in North Canton, Ohio. He also provides keynotes, professional development, and consulting for schools, organizations, and conferences around the world. Eric's areas of... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
302/303

8:30am CDT

Acing AI Literacy
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Knowing how to write a prompt isn't AI literacy. Students also need to understand how AI works, question its responses, and make responsible decisions about when and how to use it. See how Council Bluffs Community School District uses the ACE framework (Awareness, Critique, and Exploration) to develop AI literacy across grades 2-12 through engaging, discussion-based lessons. Explore practical strategies, memorable analogies, and classroom-ready activities that help students build critical thinking, recognize AI's limitations, and become thoughtful, responsible users of AI.
Speakers
avatar for Tony Vincent

Tony Vincent

Learning and Technology Consultant, Tony Vincent, Inc.
I started teaching 5th grade in the 1900s. 💾 I’ve always been a geek for tech, so I maxed out my credit card to buy a laptop my first year of teaching. Laptops were very, very expensive back then, and schools did not supply them.

I loved what I could create for my fifth graders with that laptop. But I wanted my students to have that same joy of learning by creating. While we could march down to the computer lab (if there wasn’t already a class scheduled), in 2001 my district purchased Palm Pilots with keyboards... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
304

8:30am CDT

CSTA Membership: Heads Up as to What You Get as a Member
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Welcome to CSTA! We are so excited that you are a member (or are considering it). This session consists of making sure you have everything you need to access all of your member benefits. We'll provide you with resources to help you access (most of) everything available to you as a CSTA Member. Taking advantage of the plethora of member benefits is what we're striving to provide. 
Speakers
avatar for Henry Ramirez

Henry Ramirez

Central Region Chapter Support Coordinator, CSTA
I retired from teaching in 2021, with thirty years’ experience in education (9 yrs-bilingual/ESL teacher, 17 yrs-Instructional Technology Specialist, and 4 yrs-MS CS teacher). I served as the vice president of CSTA Greater Houston for four years (still a member/leader).Upon retiring... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
308

8:30am CDT

Literacy & CS in the Elementary Classroom: Connect, Explore, Integrate
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Ignite your classroom with dynamic activities that combine literacy and computer science! Discover powerful, engaging lessons that spark creativity, boost critical thinking, and make literacy + CS an unforgettable adventure for every student.
Speakers
avatar for Sabrina Edsen

Sabrina Edsen

3rd Grade Teacher/ Technology Integrationist, Lynnville-Sully Schools
*see other speaker form
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
315

8:30am CDT

Qweebi
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Qweebi is an online makerspace platform that allows students to complete hands-on STEM projects directly on their computers. Designed for grades 3–8, it offers ready-to-use, standards-aligned projects that can be searched by grade level or topic. Each project includes complete Google Slide lessons with built-in teaching videos and instructional materials, making implementation simple for teachers.
Students can progress through projects at their own pace while teachers maintain classroom control by locking levels to keep students on track. The platform encourages testing, problem-solving, and improvement through virtual engineering challenges. I have used multiple Qweebi projects with different grade levels and have seen students actively engage in critical thinking and problem-solving throughout the process. Because everything is completed digitally, no additional supplies, setup, or cleanup are required.


I would be happy to run a session to introduce this STEM platform to teachers. I would have them be the "student" to work through a bit of a lesson and then show them how to manage it all from the teacher's view. 
I really enjoyed utilizing these lessons along with the other things I do in my STEAM class and wanted to tell others about it.  This virtual platform would be simple to implement in a regular classroom as well since it is all online. 


Speakers
avatar for Liz Sisler

Liz Sisler

Elementary STEAM teacher, Des Moines Christian School
This will be my sixth year teaching K–5 Elementary STEAM. I am passionate about fostering curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving through hands-on learning experiences. My background in early childhood education showed me the value of active exploration, and I enjoy bringing... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
305

8:30am CDT

The Wins and Woes of Teaching AI: An Upper Elementary Library Case Study
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept, it’s actively shaping how our students search, create, and think. But how do you actually teach AI literacy to upper elementary students without getting bogged down in dense curriculum? How do you find resources that are a good fit for upper elementary? How do you do this in a library?
In this transparent, real-world case study, see a path of introducing AI to the upper grades in an elementary library. We’ll look at the journey and the practical reality of what it takes to launch an elementary AI unit.
Speakers
avatar for Lisa Newgard

Lisa Newgard

Elementary Teacher Librarian, Cedar Falls CSD
I am a fifteen year PK-6 Teacher Librarian with a degree from the University of Northern Iowa. I serve as Cedar Falls Building Technology Leader, specializing in digital citizenship, research skills, and reading engagement. I focus on practical, classroom-ready technology integration... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
306

11:00am CDT

Chuck Norris’ Secret Sauce to Sanity→ Productivity Smackdown
Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Karate kick, round house and open a can of productivity awesomeness to supercharge your sanity. We all know that Chuck Norris is legendary for opening “a can” on any would-be challengers. When it comes to managing our work as educators, we can channel our inner Chuck Norris. 

This high energy smackdown session will feature head-to-head productivity tips, tricks and strategies to open “a can” on time sucking tasks. From email and organization to curation and feedback, walk away with Chuck Norris approved skills that will revolutionize your productivity.  
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Fenstermaker

Andrew Fenstermaker

Instructional Technology Coordinator, Iowa City Community School District
Andrew Fenstermaker is an influential leader in instructional technology, AI integration, and educational transformation. As an Instructional Technology Coordinator, he collaborates with administrators, curriculum coordinators, teachers, and students to operationalize best practices... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
302/303

11:00am CDT

Linking literacy and computer science using hands-on robotics to improve student engagement
Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Strawberry Hill Elementary has been working through the process of creating a computer science curriculum that is developmentally appropriate, hands-on, and incorporates different physical computing devices across grade levels. 


Join us as we dive into our strategy for integrating KIBO (KinderLab Robotics) into the Kindergarten-2nd grade curriculum. We will cover the process of teaching coding & computer science using KIBO within a specialist rotation, and how we partnered with K-2 classroom teachers to integrate KIBO into literacy learning in the classroom to enhance student engagement. 
Speakers
LS

Laura Secrist Niklasen

Instructional Coach, Anamosa Community Schools
Laura Secrist Niklasen taught first grade for 18 years and is now in her 10th year as an instructional coach. She enjoys working collaboratively with the Literacy & Media teacher to help inspire teachers to use new technology in their classrooms and be able to interweave it into their... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Williams

Rachel Williams

Literacy & Media Teacher, Anamosa Community Schools
Rachel Williams is in her 6th year as the Literacy & Media Teacher at Strawberry Hill Elementary in Anamosa. She has a passion for hands on, engaging learning that supports every learner as they explore the worlds of reading and technology.
Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
308

11:00am CDT

Make it real- the impact of Authentic Learning/ Problem-based Learning in the middle levels.
Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Come for examples, ideas and lessons learned from a real classroom. We will talk about how authentic experiences can shape a students experience. We will also talk about how and when to leverage technology to enhance both the process and the final product. 
Speakers
avatar for Andy Beland

Andy Beland

Teacher, Cedar Falls Schools
Science teacher and former Technology Coach with 22 years of experience. 
Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
307

11:00am CDT

Your Chatbot Is an App Builder
Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
What if the AI chatbot you already use, like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, could help you create custom tools for your classroom or school? Welcome to vibe coding, where you describe an idea and AI generates the code. No programming experience required.


Whether you want a classroom game, a randomizer, a timer, an interactive lesson, or a custom tool for your staff, your chatbot can help build it. Through demonstrations, real classroom examples, and practical prompting strategies, you'll discover how educators are turning simple ideas into useful web apps. You'll leave inspired with ideas you can adapt and the know-how to start creating apps of your own.
Speakers
avatar for Tony Vincent

Tony Vincent

Learning and Technology Consultant, Tony Vincent, Inc.
I started teaching 5th grade in the 1900s. 💾 I’ve always been a geek for tech, so I maxed out my credit card to buy a laptop my first year of teaching. Laptops were very, very expensive back then, and schools did not supply them.

I loved what I could create for my fifth graders with that laptop. But I wanted my students to have that same joy of learning by creating. While we could march down to the computer lab (if there wasn’t already a class scheduled), in 2001 my district purchased Palm Pilots with keyboards... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
304

11:00am CDT

Navigating Open Record Requests
Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Iowa public schools have a responsibility to operate as transparently as possible, but responding to public record requests can quickly become both a logistical and political quagmire.  This session will take a deep dive into Iowa Code Chapter 22, identify and categorize common types requests, and share specific examples of how Dallas Center-Grimes navigates the open records process. 
Speakers
avatar for Steven Hopper

Steven Hopper

Director of Technology, Dallas Center-Grimes
Steven Hopper is shocked that 2026 marks the start of his 21st year as an educator.  A former special education teacher, technology coach, curriculum leader, and school board member; Steven has supported multiple districts across central Iowa and currently serves as the Director... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
306

1:30pm CDT

AI Adoption & Implementation: 2 District's Journeys
Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Every district is looking to adopt and utilize AI effectively within the classroom. There are many challenges that go along with that from planning, tech requirements, policies, community input, professional development, ongoing support, and AI capabilities that change monthly. Come to this session to hear about how the successes, challenges, and setbacks College Community CSD and Cedar Falls CSD have had on our journeys to effectively implement AI.
Speakers
ET

Eric Townsley

Director of Technology, College Community CSD
ITEC Board Member
avatar for Brian Unruh

Brian Unruh

Director of Tech Integration, Cedar Falls Community School District
I am a current ITEC Board Member.
Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
317

1:30pm CDT

Take Your Tech Integration to New Heights
Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Technology integration is about more than tools—it's about empowering students to think, create, collaborate, and solve problems. In this high-energy, football-inspired session, kindergarten teacher Beth Smith shares how computer science serves as the playbook behind meaningful technology integration. Through classroom stories, interactive activities, and real examples from a kindergarten classroom where students code robots, use AI for research, design prototypes with 3Doodlers, and collaborate with middle school engineers, participants will discover practical ways to embed computational thinking into any content area.
Inspired by the spirit of the New Heights podcast, this session blends humor, audience participation, and actionable strategies to help educators move beyond technology consumption and into innovation. Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, librarian, STEM educator, or administrator, you'll leave with ready-to-use ideas and a fresh perspective on how computer science can elevate learning for every student.
Attendees will learn how to:
  • Integrate computational thinking into existing curriculum
  • Use technology to foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving
  • Connect computer science concepts across content areas
  • Create engaging learning experiences that prepare students for the future
No football knowledge required—just a willingness to think bigger about what students can do.
Speakers
avatar for Beth Smith

Beth Smith

Kindergarten Teacher, Lewis Central CSD
Beth Smith teaches kindergarten by day and builds future innovators by choice. A 20-year elementary educator, Beth is passionate about helping the youngest learners become problem-solvers through computer science, STEM, AI, robotics, and creative design challenges. Whether students are program... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
308

2:30pm CDT

Once Upon a Robot: Bringing Student Stories to Life
Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
What happens when students’ stories move beyond the page and become interactive robots? In this hands-on session, explore an interdisciplinary project that combines 7th grade ELA, storytelling, computer science, coding, and makerspace learning.


Learn how students transform their original published stories into robotic characters using Hummingbird Robotics kits, bringing elements of their writing to life through movement, lights, and technology. We will break down the project from start to finish, including the writing process, project design, coding, construction, and opportunities for student creativity and problem-solving.


Participants will see examples of student work and hear about what worked, what challenges arose, and what I learned along the way. If time and materials allow, participants will also have an opportunity to work directly with the robotics kits and experience a small piece of the project themselves.


You do not need to be a computer science or robotics expert to participate. This session is designed to show how hands-on technology can be integrated into an ELA classroom in a creative, accessible, and meaningful way.
Speakers
HR

Haley Roberts

Middle School ELA and Middle and High School Computer Science Teacher, Lenox Community Schools
Haley Roberts is a seventh-year educator at Lenox Community School District, where she teaches 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts as well as middle and high school computer science. She has spent the past five years incorporating computer science into her teaching and is passionate... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
308

2:30pm CDT

Sound Learning: Creating and Curating Podcasts for Students
Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Podcasts have long been a viable place for learning, interviews, and engaging content. They are also fairly easy to create with students to provide easily accessible projects for a variety of contexts. Join veteran podcaster and radio DJ Matthew Winters to explore how to create podcasts at a variety of skill levels and purposes. We will explore how to use AI to help build these experiences faster and to help students share their voices in their learning. 
Speakers
avatar for Matthew Winters

Matthew Winters

Artificial Intelligence Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education
Matthew Winters is the AI Education Specialist at Utah State Board of Education (USBE). He was also the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology (UCET) President for 2022-2024, our Utah ISTE affiliate. He was one of the International Society for Technology in Education’s 20 to... Read More →
Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
302/303

2:30pm CDT

Spark Creativity and Inspire Learning with MagicSchool AI
Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
This cutting-edge AI platform is built just for educators, providing more than 100 tools to simplify teaching, create captivating materials, and improve classroom experiences. With user-friendly features, MagicSchool empowers teachers to focus on what truly matters: inspiring and educating their students. Come join this presentation and get resources you can start using today!
Speakers
avatar for Sabrina Edsen

Sabrina Edsen

3rd Grade Teacher/ Technology Integrationist, Lynnville-Sully Schools
*see other speaker form
Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
315

2:30pm CDT

Tech Alone? Tech Together! Join the Iowa EdTech Collaborative
Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Feeling like you are on an edtech island in your district? You don't have to navigate device rollouts, AI tools, or tech integration alone. The EdTech Collaborative (ETC) brings together Iowa instructional coaches, tech integrationists, librarians, and tech leaders each month for zero-fluff, highly practical brainstorming and support. 


Come learn how our statewide community works, hear real examples of how members share resources to save time, and leave connected to a network of Iowa peers who are working in the trenches with you every day. Whether you lead tech for a small rural district or coach teachers across a large high school, there is a seat at the table for you.
Speakers
avatar for Hanna Hollamby

Hanna Hollamby

Digital Learning Consultant, Heartland AEA
Heartland AEA Digital Learning Consultant
avatar for Celeste Scott

Celeste Scott

K-12 Technology Integrationist, Indianola Community School District
Bio coming soon! 
Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
304
 
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