“Using Drones and Measurements to Improve Spatial Awareness”

Eric Clinton
Parkway High School

This session explores how educators can integrate drone technology and measurement activities to enhance students' understanding of spatial concepts. Participants will engage in hands-on demonstrations and discuss practical applications for real-world problem-solving

“An Introduction to Hands-On Programming of Arduino Circuits”

Pat Maxey

Parkway High School

Join us for a beginner-friendly exploration of Arduino microcontrollers and their applications in education. Participants will engage in hands-on programming and circuit-building activities to learn how to integrate interactive electronics into their curriculum. This session is perfect for those looking to introduce coding, engineering, and problem-solving skills through practical, project-based learning.

“AI In Public Education: One Year Later”

Jacob Hesselschwardt
Bossier Parish Schools

This session explores recent trends in AI integration within public education, focusing on its impact on STEAM learning. Participants will examine how AI enhances personalized learning, streamlines tasks, and reshapes teaching. Through discussions, attendees will share experiences, address challenges, and brainstorm strategies for leveraging AI responsibly.

“Using Manipulatives to Support HQIM Curriculum in Math”

Roger Vance

Caddo Parish Schools

Explore how hands-on learning tools can enhance student understanding and engagement in high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) for mathematics. Participants will discover effective strategies for integrating manipulatives to reinforce key concepts and support diverse learners.

“Guided Tour of the Centenary Arboretum”

Lacey Anderson, Curator
Centenary College of Louisiana

Join us on a guided tour of Centenary College’s academic arboretum. The arboretum serves as a living laboratory for environmental study and outdoor learning. Join us to discover how this natural space supports biodiversity and hands-on educational opportunities for students and the community.

“Explore with Waves”

Penny Pate and Laura Holley
Captain Shreve High School

This lesson introduces students to the fascinating world of waves through hands-on experiments and activities. By creating different types of waves with sand (or paint), students will measure key wave properties like wavelength and amplitude. They will explore the relationship between frequency and wavelength and even calculate wave speed, explore types of waves, be able to explain how waves have real-world applications, elaborate on how waves are used, and evaluate the use of waves to help the government hide secrets. This interactive approach will make abstract wave concepts more concrete and engaging, fostering a deeper understanding of these fundamental phenomena.

“Destination Imagination Creative Problem-Solving Program - Challenging Students to Boldly Go!”

Dr. Joan Turek, Assistant Professor of Education
Centenary College of Louisiana

This STEAM-based workshop introduces participants to hands-on collaborative engineering challenges and the Destination Imagination Creative Problem-Solving program. Participants will work in teams to brainstorm, take risks, and construct hands-on solutions using everyday materials in response to assigned tasks. Attendees will take home sample “instant challenges” to help their students build critical thinking and problem-solving skills and “boldly go” towards a future filled with confidence, innovation, and creativity.

“Role-Play and Reality: Exploring Historical Narratives through Active Learning”

Dr. Kyra Rietveld, Assistant Professor of Art History
Centenary College of Louisiana

Active learning strategies are essential for fostering engagement, critical thinking, and creativity. This workshop introduces Making History: The Breakup Microgame, a role-playing activity from the Reacting to the Past consortium, where participants assume the roles of college students navigating a breakup. Using conflicting primary sources, players analyze and construct narratives, uncovering insights while addressing bias and perspective. This game enhances engagement and teaches students to use primary sources to construct historical narratives. Whether you're new to active learning or looking to expand your toolkit, this session offers practical strategies to inspire students to approach challenges with confidence.

“Teach AI with Confidence: A Hands-On Journey into Artificial Intelligence for K-8 Classrooms”

Jeff Holcomb
CYBER.ORG

In this hands-on workshop, educators will explore the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) through interactive activities designed for K-12 classrooms. Participants will experience AI lessons firsthand, from introductory concepts for younger students to advanced applications in cybersecurity for older grades. By the end of the session, educators will feel confident in teaching AI and equipped with the tools to inspire the next generation of innovators in this exciting field.

“Why So Many Names for Slope? Contextualization in Mathematics”

Roger Vance
Caddo Parish Schools

Examine the multiple ways slope is defined and interpreted across different mathematical contexts. This session is ideal for educators looking to strengthen students’ mathematical reasoning by connecting abstract concepts to real-world applications.

“From Image to Insight: Getting More out of Video Analysis”

Dr. David Kordahl, Assistant Professor of Physics
Centenary College of Louisiana

During the past two decades, educators have used video analysis to connect direct observations to graphs of motion. This talk reviews standard applications, but also presents ways that video analysis can be made more powerful using geometry. Parallax effects have often been viewed only as a source of error, but they can also be a rich additional source of information. Overlooked opportunities for video analysis and lessons for educators will be discussed before concluding.

“A Case for Modeling: The Story of a Writer, A Case Study”

Megan Quebedeaux
Louisiana State University - Shreveport

This study explores the impact of student-teacher relationships and pedagogical practices on self-efficacy and academic success, particularly in writing, for students facing educational challenges. Using social constructivist theory and Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development, it examines how a supportive classroom and intentional scaffolding transformed "Jim," a Honduran immigrant with tier-three reading interventions. Findings highlight the role of empathy, modeling, and individualized support in shaping academic identities and improving outcomes for marginalized students.

“Boldly Go Weightless!”

Katie Chavis and Kelly Birdsong
Bossier Parish Schools

Weightlessness? Are astronauts weightless? Can you be weightless?  What is a weightless flight? What about SpaceX flights? What is the physics behind it all? Let’s Boldly Go together! Come experience “weightlessness” as we find answers to these questions and more.  Together we will find activities you can do with your own students of all ages and opportunities for you to take your own “weightless” flight.

“Meet the STEM Innovations Ambassadors for the WWII Museum”

Ida M. Smith, Benton Middle School
LeAnne Nelson, Curtis Elementary School
Jennifer Johnson, Sci-Port Discovery Center

This session showcases immersive, K-12 STEM curriculum. As STEM Innovations Ambassadors for the WWII Museum, presenters will share how wartime advancements—particularly contributions by Women in STEM—can engage students in history and science. Educators will also explore the Operation Footlocker program, which provides access to real WWII artifacts and is available for free to classrooms.

“Good Game! Level Up Biology Learning with Scratch”

Dr. Rebecca Murphy, Professor of Biology
Kaleb Atkinson and Tarif Islam, Undergraduate Students
Centenary College of Louisiana

In our 200-level Cell Biology course, students use MIT’s browser-based Scratch program to create biology-related games on topics such as photosynthesis, organelle function, DNA replication, and cellular respiration. Scratch is a visual programming environment that uses drag-and-drop coding blocks, making it accessible to students regardless of their background. This program places the focus on conveying biological principles in an engaging way through gaming. The foundation of this activity is rooted in principles of science communication and peer-to-peer instruction, where students creating the game must learn more about their chosen biological topic to present it in a clear and engaging way. Additionally, this project promotes the development of self-efficacy through iterative design and troubleshooting. Some students have even used their Scratch games for biology outreach in the community, including a partnership with Sci-Port Discovery Center. In this workshop, participants can bring their own laptops to explore Scratch's functionality by building an introductory game and engaging with demos of games produced by Centenary undergraduates.

“The Roads to Teaching”

Dr. Tracey Burrell, Recruitment and Retention Supervisor, Bossier Parish Schools
Regina Digilormo, Pre-Educator Instructor, Bossier Parish Technical School
Lacey Stokes, Teaching Professions Coordinator, Caddo Parish Career Center
Alton Dozier, Principal, Creswell Elementary, Caddo Parish Schools
Byron Dawson, Head Football Coach, Centenary College of Louisiana

Explore the diverse paths that lead to teaching and hear educational leaders reflect on recruitment and retention for new teachers. Panelists will share their journeys into education, discuss the challenges and rewards of the profession, and offer insights into navigating certification and career opportunities. This session is ideal for pre-service teachers and college students considering a future in education.

“Project-Based Approaches for Agriscience in the Classroom”

Julie Malone, Bossier Parish School for Technology and Innovative Learning

This session highlights how hands-on, work-based learning can engage students in the diverse fields of agriculture, from mechanics and carpentry to animal, plant, and soil science. This session will explore strategies for integrating project-based learning into agriscience curricula, helping students develop practical skills and leadership experience through FFA competitions at the district, area, and state levels. Educators will gain insights into designing meaningful, real-world projects.