Community STEM nights have become a fun and impactful way to provide engagement opportunities for community members and highlight CS-driven careers. MMSA’s Workforce Ready 2030 project, which includes 14 districts around Maine, has supported educators in member districts to host these popular events. In this session, learn valuable insights from a panel of educators who have hosted STEM nights in their communities, and find out how to create a successful event of your own.
I am a Co-PI on Workforce Ready 2030, and have worked at MMSA in STEM education research for nearly a decade. I'm especially interested in the integration of CS into rural classrooms around Maine.
Thursday October 9, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT Cumberland
Teach core concepts, not just tech. Students explore AI's inner workings (input, process, output), understand bias, and learn to educate others. Empower critical thinking & digital citizenship. Make AI accessible!
How might we apply the underpinnings of tabletop and video game design to the demonstration of deeper content knowledge, social-emotional growth, and future-ready skill development? Arrive in this workshop intrigued; leave with designs for applying game-based thinking to your impact area.
How might we solve the novel? How might we address the climate mess? How might we wrangle the angles? During this interactive design sprint, learn how adopting a design thinking mindset, applying a learner-friendly design process, and integrating purpose-driven digital tools can amplify classroom assessments from dumpster projects to authentic innovations. Bring the devices and apps that bring you and your learners joy.
Gaming, cell phones, inattention… Oh, my! This session will provide an overview of how to form a Tech Task Force to improve student tech use in schools. Participants will learn how to bring together staff members to identify problems & solutions related to device-based education and how to craft a vision for effective technology use in your district. Come ready to collaborate, reflect, and gather ideas to take back to your district. A device is not required for this session.
