Agenda Overview
1 pm – 5 pm
Master Teacher Leadership Forum Registration
3 pm – 9 pm
Master Teacher Leadership Forum (by invite only)
7:45 am – 5 pm
Master Teacher Leadership Forum (by invite only)
2 pm – 8 pm
PLTW Summit 2016 Registration
2:30 pm – 6 pm
Exhibits and Presentation Stages Open
5 pm – 6 pm
State Leader and Affiliate Staff Reception (by invite only)
6:30 pm – 8:15 pm
Opening General Session and Dinner featuring John Urschel, NFL Player and Mathematician
8:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Dessert Reception with our Sponsors and Exhibitors
7 am – 11:45 am
State Leader and Affiliate Staff Meetings (by invite only)
8 am – 7:30 pm
Exhibits and Presentation Stages Open
Breakfast Served from 8 am – 8:45 am
9 am – Noon
Various Learning Opportunities: Presentation Stages and Workshops
Noon – 1:30
General Session and Lunch featuring Marion Blakey, President and CEO of Rolls-Royce North America, and Jason Silva, Futurist and Host of National Geographic Channel’s Brain Games
1:30 pm – 6 pm
The STEM Behind Offsite & School Tours
6 pm – 7:30 pm
Networking Reception with our Sponsors and Exhibitors
6:30 – 8:30 pm
State Leader and Affiliate Staff Dinner (by invite only)
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An Evening to Explore Indianapolis
7:30 am – 8:15 am
Breakfast
8:30 am – 9:45 am
General Session featuring Anne Jones, SVP and Chief Programs Officer of PLTW and a conversation between David Coleman, President and CEO of the College Board, and Vince Bertram, President and CEO of PLTW
9:45 am – 10 am
Transition & Coffee Break
10 am – 12:15 pm
Workshop Sessions
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
Networking Lunch
Partner Update Luncheon Meeting
1:30 pm – 5:15 pm
Workshop Sessions
4:15 pm – 6:00 pm
Partner Best Practice Session
6 pm – TBD
Networking Event
7 am – 7:30 am
Breakfast
7:45 am – 11:15 am
Workshop Sessions
11 am – Noon
VIP Reception (by invite only)
11:15 am – Noon
Celebratory Lunch Reception
12:15 pm – 1:45 pm
Closing General Session featuring Daymond John, Entrepreneur and Co-star of ABC’s Shark Tank
Workshop Sessions
College and Career
Inspiring Future Engineers: The Partnership Between FIRST Robotics and PLTW
Discussing the modern relationship between PLTW and real-world high school robotics teams (specifically FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics)
Vikas Maturi
President, TechHOUNDS Robotics Team
TechHOUNDS Robotics Team
Presenter biography: Vikas Maturi is a student at Carmel High School that is passionate about inspiring future leaders and innovators. After taking several PLTW classes, he co-founded Design for CHS, a social design firm dedicated to developing leaders that can create solutions to community and global problems through experience. Since 2013, he (independently) and his teams have initiated, developed, launched, and/or completed 15 large-scale projects, including a variety of biomedical innovations, educational enterprises, artistic design projects, homelessness programs, and more. In addition, Vikas also leads the 114-person TechHOUNDS Robotics Team at Carmel High School that strives to promote awareness and involvement in STEM on a local and national level. The team participate annually in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), in which we are given six weeks to design, prototype, and build a fully-functioning robot that competes at the state and international level. TechHOUNDS also takes an active role in the community, advocating STEM through demonstrations, volunteerism, and events like the Women in Technology Workshop.
College and Career
Achieve Greater Student Success with SkillsUSA
The SkillsUSA Framework supports a balanced program and the mission to empower students to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. The Framework is the first step in defining clear, high standards that all students can achieve. As you easily align your curriculum to the SkillsUSA Framework, you are ensuring that all of your students are working toward standards that will help them reach higher levels of success and be better qualified for college or good jobs.
Debbie Peabody
Teacher Trainer
SkillsUSA
Debbie Peabody taught Architectural and Engineering Drawing Georgia for 29 years and was a SkillsUSA advisor for 25 years. In 2012, she was selected as the SkillsUSA Region 2 and ACTE Region 2 Teacher of the Year. Peabody retired from teaching three years ago and has been working with SkillsUSA as a teacher trainer at the national level since then. She is a SkillsUSA State Certified Teacher Trainer and has had the opportunity to train hundreds of advisors from across the country.
Automation Competency Model A Pathway For STEM
Discussion of the importance of the Automation Competency as a resource for PLTW teachers
Steve Huffman
Chair of Government Relations Committee
Automation Federation
Technology and Innovation
SRL Mechanix
Last summer, I had the good fortune of spending two weeks as a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) candidate with Dr. Tracy Hammond and the Sketch Recognition Lab (SRL). My role was to evaluate SRL's 'Mechanix' tool (development driven by an NSF grant) from a high school knowledge and application perspective, provide input regarding enhancements, design practice sessions appropriate for advanced high school students, and participate in the worldwide rollout of the tool. SRL Mechanix is an impactful support tool that can be used for the truss analysis portion of PLTW Principles of Engineering (PoE).
Randy Brooks
PoE Instructer
Lovejoy High Schooly
After 23 years in the Telecom Industry, Randy chose to move to secondary education to develop the skill sets in students that he had not been seeing in front-line applicants. He began by emphasizing problem-solving in his Math classrooms and added PLTW PoE in 2014-2015. During the summer of 2015 he was offered the opportunity to spend two weeks at his alma mater, Texas A&M University, working with the Texas A&M Sketch Recognition Lab (TAMU SRL). The SRL has developed a software tool, Mechanix, which enhances online learning of truss analysis by providing immediate feedback and guidance to students as well as capturing student metrics for the instructor. Randy's task, along with two high school Physics teachers, was to evaluate and critique the tool relative to application in high schools. Randy deployed Mechanix in his PoE classroom and will be discussing the results of his study as well as demonstrating the tool.
Project Management Through Trello
Collaborative, project-based learning - clearly the future, but daunting task for students. Teachers are told to manage student groups, but this often presents situations that are awkward to handle and frustrate both the teacher and group members. How do teachers minimize their involvement in student groups while simultaneously maximizing student autonomy and achievement? Enter Trello - A free, device agnostic, web-based project management tool used extensively in the startup industry! This session will demonstrate the benefits and applications for easily integrating Trello into the PLTW curriculum.
Joshua Clemmer
Lead Teacher
Bel Air High School
Joshua Clemmer is the Lead Teacher of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program and the Science Department Chairperson at Bel Air School in Bel Air, MD. In addition to teaching Biomedical Innovation, he also teaches Earth Science, Marine Science, and Geohazards Engineering. Joshua enjoys striving to keep his teaching on the cutting edge of technology and available resources.
BAHS has been recognized as a PLTW National Model School and as an Outstanding Secondary CTE Program for the state of Maryland. The school has been involved with PLTW since the inception of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. BAHS currently accommodates approximately 250 students and claims over 200 graduates of the program.
Michael Burke
Teacher, Director of Technology & Multimedia
Bel Air High School
Michael Burke began his career by being named a "Teacher of Promise" by the Maryland State Department of Education in 2009. Since then he has been the Director of Technology and Multimedia as well as a HBS and BI teacher at Bel Air High School. Michael prides himself on the myriad of technical and productivity skills that his students develop while in his classes.
BAHS has been recognized as a PLTW National Model School and as an Outstanding Secondary CTE Program for the state of Maryland. The school has been involved with PLTW since the inception of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. BAHS currently accommodates approximately 250 students and claims over 200 graduates of the program.
Using Kahoot in the PLTW classroom
The session will introduce teachers to Kahoot! and discuss how to use it as a quick formative assessment strategy that engages students. The session will cover how teachers can create their own Kahoots! for use in the classroom. Teachers will learn how to use the search feature to find available Kahoots! created by peers nationwide.
James Wright
Master Teacher
Hazelwood Central High School
I have been teaching high school science for 20 years. I have been teaching PLTW for 8 years. I have been a Master Teacher for the last 7 years in PBS, MI, and BI. I am an avid Michigan Football fan and I enjoy cereal.
Brett Baron
Master Teacher
Hazelwood Central High School
Brett Barron has been a PBS master teacher for the past three summers. He teaches PBS and HBS at Hazelwood Central High School in St. Louis, MO and he is SUPER AWESOME!!
Mobile Lab and Equipment Lending Program
St. Cloud State University (SCSU) has developed a Mobile Lab Program designed to enhance the education of high school, middle school, and elementary students. There are two components to the program: Science Express and Technology & Engineering Express (T&E Express). The Science Express is an 18-wheel trailer with slide-outs designed as a mobile classroom to provide advanced science instruction. The T&E Express is composed of two small trailers designed to move equipment for use in the schools. It provides industry-standard equipment – 3-D equipment, CNCs, robotics, and environmental technologies – and also provides teachers with curriculum and training to teach integrated STEM.
Kurt Helgeson
Department Chair & Professor in the Department of Environmental & Technological Studies
St. Could State University
Dr. Helgeson has been involved with Project Lead the Way since 2008 when he attend Gateway training at Duke University. He has been Affiliate Director for MN for the last 6 years. He is also Department Chair & Professor in the Department of Environmental & Technological Studies. He has taught at St. Cloud State University for 17 years. Prior to coming to St. Cloud State University he was the Product Development & Quality Assurance Manager in the kitchen cabinet industry.
Chuck Hentges
Director of Outreach and Resource
St. Could State University
Currently a professor at SCSU in the Technology Education, and Construction Management. I also work with continuous quality improvement of the PLTW programs in the state.
College and Career
SkillsUSA As a Vehicle to Apply PLTW Curriculum
SkillsUSA is an excellent platform to demonstrate acquired skills found in all PLTW classes. A student team will speak and demonstrate how documentation and application from PLTW Engineering is used in Applied Engineering, Engineering Technology, Mobile Robotics, and Search and Urban Rescue. In addition, the session will cover advantages of SkillsUSA-PLTW integration for the school, teacher, and students, as well as strategies for increased student involvement.
Jaime Trevino
Teacher
Foy H. Moody High School
My school includes a STEM program called the Innovation Academy. We found that extra- and co-curricular activities are some of the best tools to prepare our students for real-world situations. These opportunities create unity between theory and application, and give students a chance to apply knowledge lesson with a competitive event. I assist with establishing the first FIRST, BEST, VEX and MATE (underwater) robotics teams. I am a certified PLTW teacher for Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) and Civil Engineering/Architecture (CEA). I serve as an instructional mentor for new STEM teachers. My position as the IED teacher is critical because I help lay the foundation for learning the Engineering Design Process, use of CAD programs and developing strong engineering design documentation.
I serve as advisor of the SkillsUSA organization. Our chapter was awarded the Top Chapter Award in South Texas for 2015. To receive this honor, our students swept the regional competition in Engineering Robotics, Engineering Problems and Leadership events. I believe so strongly in enrichment that I have volunteered as a SkillsUSA board member for twenty years. I have been responsible for organizing events where 800+ students compete, and I secured judges, locations and budgets. The simple reason I do it - I want the students to have a platform to demonstrate their acquired skills. I want to make sure that I am always growing professionally and staying abreast of new technology. I want to confirm that the instruction, tools, and opportunities mirror real world applications. The best part of my day often comes after 4:00pm when students flock to my classroom to prepare for their competitive engineering events.
Sandra Clement
Principal
Foy H. Moody High School
Dr. Sandra Clement was born and raised in Robstown, Texas. She possesses a Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling, another Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, and a Doctor of Education from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.Dr. Clement has served as a teacher, counselor, and campus administrator for the last twenty years at all levels. As principal of South Park Middle School and Moody High School, she effectively led both schools out of state ‘Academically Unacceptable” designations.
She was named the State “Administrator of the Year” in 2012 by the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), the State “Outstanding Middle School Principal of the Year” in 2013 by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP), the Texas PTA State “Principal of the Year” in 2014, and was recognized at the White House in June 2015 as a part of “Innovations in CTE” for Moody High School receiving the “National Excellence in Action Award” as the top high school in the nation for STEM Programming.
Dr. Clement currently serves as the Principal of Foy H. Moody High School in the Corpus Christi Independent School District with over 1,700 students and a staff of over 200.
Diana Fernandez-Chavez
Assistant Principal
Foy H. Moody High School
Student Panel
Foy H. Moody High School
PLTW, Dual Credit, and the Workforce
This session introduces a unique arrangement between PLTW high schools and a community college to create a pathway to the workforce. Using college coursework in a career and technical education field is one way to add direct industry connections to a PLTW classroom. We lead you through an exercise to help identify possible collaborations, unique ways to meet both PLTW and college course competencies, and hurdles to overcome in the process. Additionally, we explore the benefits of this type of collaboration.
Julie Fickas
Interim Dean of Science, Math, and Health
St. Louis Community College
Julie Fickas is the Interim Dean of Science, Math, and Health at the Meramec campus of St. Louis Community College. She has worked with faculty counterparts across the college district to provide approved courses in Biology for dual credit through the community college. Additionally, she has worked with colleagues across the college district to develop pathways for students to the workforce from high school. She is currently working on an EdD in Interdisciplinary Leadership at Creighton University
Scott Gevaert
Life Science Lab Assistant Program Coordinator
St. Louis Community College
As the Program Coordinator for the Life Science Lab Assistant program, I train students to be entry-level laboratory technicians in bioscience. The program emphasizes mastering common techniques such as pipetting, centrifugation, and DNA extraction, so that students are immediately employable. I have a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from the University of Georgia, and my areas of research interest are in conservation genetics and physiological ecology.
Brett Richardson
Assistant Principal
St. Louis Community College
Tim Knox
St. Louis Community College
The Computer Science Skills Gap: Industry Perspectives on Workforce Development
Computer Science - the area where the greatest discrepancy exists between what students need and what schools offer, yet most needed for national security and prosperity, career readiness, and most importantly, equity across our classrooms. Projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that 3 out of 5 STEM jobs will require computing skills by the year 2022, leaving over one million unfilled computing positions. Moreover, participation in computing by people from underrepresented groups remains staggeringly low and continuing to wane. This panel of industry experts will share perspectives on the effect of this skills gap on the current and future workforce, and how stakeholders can take part in working toward a solution that works for schools, students, industry, and the economy.
Shaileen Pokress
Director of Instruction
Project Lead The Way
Shaileen Pokress, Director of Instruction at Project Lead The Way, develops computer science programs for K-12 students and teachers. Formerly the Director of Education for the App Inventor project at the MIT Media Lab, she developed programs that reached students of all ages around the globe. Prior to her work at MIT, Shaileen was Project Director for MSPnet, the online network of Math Science Partnerships funded by the National Science Foundation. Shaileen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Cornell University and a Master of Education degree from Harvard University.
Creating A Successful Internship Program with PLTW
Learn how Lockheed Martin and the Arlington Independent School District (AISD) use PLTW to create a win-win-win for students, the school district and the company. Using a cross-functional team including Human Resources, Technical Operations, Production Operations and Community Relations, Lockheed Martin provides the complete company commitment necessary to make the Program successful. By including classroom time as part of the student curriculum, the AISD makes sure that the Internship Program is aligned with a state approved course/practicum and follows the state standards outlined for this course. We include a wide-variety of perspectives in the discussion - student, supervision, teacher, hiring professional and others.
Norman Robbins
Senior Manager - Community Relations
Lockheed Martin
Norman Robbins represents Lockheed Martin as Senior Manager - Community Relations. In that capacity, he oversees and administers the company’s community involvement program, which consists of strategically placing company resources in community activities to accomplish objectives of benefit to the community and the company. Mr. Robbins’ work has included many civic involvements. Among positions that he has held are memberships on boards and committees including TCU’s school of education board of visitors, Tarrant county workforce development board, Big Brothers and Sisters and communities in schools. He was elected to the Fort Worth independent school district board of trustees in May 2004. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Mr. Robbins was employed by the Fort Worth chamber of commerce in a variety of capacities which included economic development and governmental / urban affairs types of activities. Before joining the chamber, he was employed in the international air freight forwarding industry, having written a thesis on the air freight industry in Dallas/Fort Worth. Mr. Robbins holds bachelor and Master of Science degrees in business administration from Trinity University in San Antonio. A native of Fort Worth, he is married with three grown children.
Ami Motsenbocker
STEM Academy Coordinator
Arlington Independent School District
Ami Motsenbocker is the STEM Academy Coordinator and an Internship Coordinator for the Arlington Independent School District in Arlington, Texas. She has blended corporate experience in human resources and organizational development into her role as an educator. During her 14 years in education, she has focused on work-based learning opportunities for high school students and has implemented successful internship programs in STEM and the sports and entertainment industry. Ami’s experience in the development of internship programs has resulted in successful intern partnerships with organizations such as Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky, NCR, UT Arlington, the City of Arlington, L3 and the Texas Rangers. Ami Motsenbocker has a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Texas Christian University and earned her Masters of Hospitality Management from the University of Houston.
Creating the "Why?" for Students
As adults, we recognize and fully understand the growing importance of filling vacancies in the STEM career field with highly qualified individuals, but do students realize and feel that same fire in their bellies? Our students will lead the next generation to success, and we must equip them with the skills necessary to become college and career ready. Let’s determine ways to engage students by creating the ‘Why’ or purpose for their engagement now, leading to personal, professional, and societal success later.
Ambra Tennery
Educational Development Team Leader
FFA
Ambra Tennery is an advocate for providing all students with the opportunity to succeed through personalized experiences. As the Team Leader for the Educational Development team at the National FFA Organization, she is able to collaborate in deploying innovative and engaging mission-based resources for students and teachers across the country while creating a vision for future resources. Most recently, Ambra led a cross-divisional team on ideating and delivering the FFA mission while preparing students for career success through an online platform called, “My Journey.”
Ambra has worked for the National FFA Organization for almost three years and previously as an agricultural education teacher at Lebanon High School and Emmerich Manual High School for seven years. Due to her experiences within the classroom, Ambra has led various strategic initiatives involving educational relevancy, diversity and inclusion, and agricultural literacy and advocacy during her time at the National FFA Organization.
Ambra got her start in agricultural education as a student in FFA and then went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education from Purdue University. Her passion for student learning also led her to pursue and achieve her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University. While professional success is always rewarding, Ambra’s greatest pride and joy is her family. She is the mother of three children and enjoys spending time with her family, playing outside, landscaping, and reading.
HS Internships: Nuts and Bolts of Implementation
Student readiness for STEM careers fuel American competitiveness in the global economy. High school internships build upon the PLTW curriculum offer students the opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience into the workplace. Since employers seek students with real-world experience, these students have a leg up as they prepare to enter college and the workforce. Come learn the key components of the Arlington Independent School District's successful internship program: Recruitment, Selection, Preparation, Connections and Engagement. The AISD STEM Academy Coordinator along with current PLTW/STEM Interns will share success strategies for successful internships in every phase of the process.
Ami Motsenbocker
STEM Academy Coordinator
Arlington Independent School District
Ami Motsenbocker is the STEM Academy Coordinator and an Internship Coordinator for the Arlington Independent School District in Arlington, Texas. She has blended corporate experience in human resources and organizational development into her role as an educator. During her 14 years in education, she has focused on work-based learning opportunities for high school students and has implemented successful internship programs in STEM and the sports and entertainment industry. Ami’s experience in the development of internship programs has resulted in successful intern partnerships with organizations such as Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky, NCR, UT Arlington, the City of Arlington, L3 and the Texas Rangers. Ami Motsenbocker has a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Texas Christian University and earned her Masters of Hospitality Management from the University of Houston.
Pathways to STEM Career Success: Internships, Co-ops, and Apprenticeships
Working as an apprentice, intern or part of a co-op is an effective way for students to explore and begin productive careers, and for employers to get to know potential employees, especially in STEM fields. That’s why expansion of these opportunities has such strong support from the White House, corporate executives, industry associations, community colleges and others. Learn how a trailblazer in this movement – The Dow Chemical Company – works with schools, and builds partnerships to support students in creative and effective ways. This panel is comprised of Dow employees who have benefitted from these programs, and have personal insights to share with students, educators, businesses and thought-leaders.
Meredith Morris
STEM Leader, Global Citizenship
The DOW Chemical Company
Building a K-14 STEM pipeline with PLTW
In an effort to address the national concern for shortage of STEM-related professionals, and in response to San Antonio's economic necessity of a highly-skilled and trained workforce, Harlandale ISD created a STEM Pipeline, using the PLTW framework. The district designed the pipeline to introduce K-14 students to STEM-related careers and college pathways and encourage their involvement in these areas of focus. Anthony Khosravi, STEM coordinator for Harlandale ISD, will share the experiences and conversations necessary to create a STEM Pipeline designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills for a STEM career and/or degree.
Anthony Khosravi
STEM Coordinator
Harlandale Independent School District
Mr. Anthony Khosravi has been in the education field for 10 years and currently serves as the STEM Coordinator for Harlandale Independent School District on the Southside of San Antonio, TX. Since joining Harlandale ISD in December of 2012, he has helped to transform STEM education in the school district. Through his leadership with the STEM Department, the Gifted and Talented (GT) Department, and the Instructional Technology (IT) Department, Mr. Khosravi has spearheaded Harlandale ISD’s K-14 STEM pipeline initiative designed to “bridge the gap” for students to meet college and career ready expectations to be successful in STEM careers. Mr. Khosravi has a Master of Education degree from Concordia University and is currently working on his PhD. in Leadership through Our Lady of the Lake University.
Speaking up when you are the "Only"
Many times, girls and minorities are the "only" of their gender or race in a STEM activity or group. It’s only natural for the “Only” to feel funny about speaking up, or to feel that their voice means less in group discussions. Learn teaching strategies to help your female and minority students be heard and gain the confidence to speak out.
Tola Begbaaji
Director of Professional Services and Support, Discrete ERP
Aptean
Tola Begbaaji is Aptean’s Director of Professional Services and Support, Discrete ERP Support. She has worked in the manufacturing enterprise software field for 17 years. Prior to that, she ran a support operations center for Manpower Temporary Services for 4 years.
Tola wants every student to love STEAM topics, especially underserved students. She has been active in Junior Achievement and currently supports music education at the middle and high school level. Tola lives in Indianapolis with her family and enjoys photography, writing, cooking, traveling, and outdoor activities.
Thinking Spatially: A Fundamental Engineering Tool
This session will explore the fundamental skill of spatial visualization and how it affects a student’s ability to succeed in the field of engineering. Data show that students in their first two years of college may not be successful in engineering due to their inability to think and reason spatially. In fact, research has shown that spatial ability is a predictor of success in all STEM areas. As a part of the ongoing initiative at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) to improve the retention of freshman engineering students, the institution adopted the ENGAGE program, and the spatial visualization exam and class were implemented. Freshman UMBC engineering students were asked to take the spatial reasoning exam and were additionally identified as PLTW students. Furthermore, the session will cover a case study on thinking spatially was performed on PLTW Teachers at Core Training.
Jamie Gurganus
Associate Director of Engineering Education Initiatives
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Jamie Gurganus (AKA to students as Prof. G) works in the Mechanical Engineering department at UMBC, primarily focusing in the field of Engineering Education and Additive Manufacturing. Her research is focused on solving problems that relate to educating student engineers, teachers and the community as they navigate through the K-12 and post-secondary pipe-lines. She researches on and develops assessment methods, instruments, and metrics to inform engineering education practice and learning in both the K-12 and post-secondary environments.
Jamie currently serves as an instructor Associate Director of Engineering Education Initiatives teaching several mechanical engineering classes and running programs such as Project Lead the Way in Maryland, FIRST Lego League. In addition she collaborates with many industry partners and consults throughout Maryland in STEM education.
WHeW! Women Helping Women: Developing a network for PLTW Women and students
Given: 1. Women bring unique perspectives to a technical workplace. 2. Attracting and retaining women in a technical workplace (including the PLTW classroom) is difficult. 3. Networking has been shown to significantly increase the chance for landing a successful job and advancing in a successful career. 4. PLTW is the premier provider of STEM curriculum. 5. Successful implementation of PLTW curriculum necessitates interaction of teachers across the nation, beginning in Core Training. Conclusion: Form a network of women professionals from the staff, master teachers, teachers, alumni, associate professors, and alumni to assist and support the young women of PLTW.
Terri Flemming
Master Teacher
Trumbull Career and Technical Center
Graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1984 with an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, Terri spent 12 years working in the engineering and operations divisions of a local public utility. After taking a 10 year sabbatical to raiser her children, she returned to work in education where she received licensure in Integrated math and physics In 2008 she was hired by the Trumbull Career and Technical Center as a Project Lead the Way teacher. Subsequently she has been trained in and taught IED, POE, AE, DE, and EDD, the latter which she became a Master Teacher. In 2015, Terri earned her MS in Professional Studies from Rochester Institute of Technology.
PLTW in the Community
How to Engage and Educate Your State Representatives as PLTW Champions
Through this session, attendees will learn the importance of engaging state-level policymakers with the work of PLTW. Attendees will learn effective strategies to engage state legislators and the benefits of doing so. Legislators may act as advocates and assist PLTW in eliminating barriers to high-quality teaching.
Ed Dennis
Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Research
Project Lead The Way
Let Them See It - Using Video and Projects
Every teacher talks about the great work that goes on in classrooms and programs; letting others SEE that great work is something entirely different. In this informative session, you will see how a dying program in Bryant, AR created explosive growth and community interest through a clever combination of radical projects and video documentation. Video, today's media of choice, is easier and cheaper to produce, and more attainable than ever. Promote to student bodies with high-action clips of students having fun while informing administrations and communities with thoughtful documentary approaches. Video will change your programs, and it's not as hard or expensive as you might think. http://engineering.bryantschools.org
John Williams
Teacher
Bryant High School
Raised by teachers in a tiny Alabama town, John Williams had very little clue of what he was getting into when he enrolled in engineering school at Auburn University. Upon completing his degree, he went to work for a global oilfield services giant as a reservoir stimulation engineer in Arkansas. There he met a band director girl, got into education and now teaches PLTW engineering courses at Bryant High School, the home of Bryant Hornet Engineering.
Planning & Hosting Female STEM Outreach Events
Michelle Bunn (Associate Affiliate Director at San Diego State University) and Angelica Mata (Affiliate Coordinator at San Jose State University) from PLTW California will discuss their outreach events held at their PLTW affiliate institutes that engage female students in STEM activities and careers. They will also discuss how to plan similar female STEM outreach events in your area, including budgeting for each event, recruitment of students and volunteers, and involvement of college students & community partners.
Michelle Bunn
Affiliate Director
Michelle graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering in 2009 at San Diego State University. After graduating, she worked as an Academic Coordinator for the MESA Schools Program, which offered hands-on activities for after school programs and tutoring to students in underserved areas. It was through the MESA Schools Program that sparked her interest and passion in K-12 STEM outreach programs. After two years working for the MESA Schools Program, she decided to further her career and get a Master’s Degree in Education. While attending graduate school, Michelle worked for Project Lead The Way California as their School Programs Manager. Since receiving her Master Degree, Michelle currently holds the position of Affiliate Director for Project Lead The Way California/San Diego Region. While attending San Diego State University as an undergraduate, she was heavily involved with the Society of Women Engineers and always felt a need for more programs and events that were female-friendly. Since working with PLTW CA, she has become a huge advocate for creating female-focused events and programs, such as Girls Day Out event for middle and high school events (in partnership with SWE collegiate chapters) and Girls Coding Camp 7-8th grade girls (in partnership with Qualcomm’s Thinkabit Lab in San Diego).
How to Uncover Resources & Engage Partners Now
Would you like to know some sure-fire, easy ways to find resources for your PLTW program as well as ways to attract, intrigue, and excite potential PLTW partners? Come to this interactive session and learn about educational ecosystems and how they can help you uncover resources and engage partners to grow and sustain your PLTW program. We will explore ways to recognize and leverage personal, environmental, tangible and intangible strengths and resources. We will apply the engineering design process to develop, test, and evaluate different approaches to build and secure partnerships with industry leaders and potential funders and we will consider proven ways to uncover local, regional and national funding sources.
Rusti Berent
Funding and Grants Consultant
Sargent Welch and Ward’s Science
Dr. Rusti Berent is the in-house funding and grants consultant and manager of special programs at Sargent Welch and Ward’s Science where she provides a full range of complimentary grants services to teachers and faculty, schools and colleges. Leveraging more than 25 years of experience and skills in grant seeking and grant making as well as in program development and evaluation, she helps educators find and apply for funding; coaches them to recognize and build on their strengths and those of their students; and helps them identify and develop community partnerships and collaborations.
Summer STEM Camps
STEM doesn't need to stop in the summer! Summer STEM camps give students high-quality engaging educational activities disguised as fun. Camps not only provide a great service to your community, but are a great recruitment tool for your school’s PLTW program. We present a model of a STEM Middle School summer camp program made up of half day, week long programs for multiple age groups, packed full of hands-on projects and problem solving.
Nathan Nolte
Technology and Engineering Instructor
Fox Valley Lutheran High School
Nathan Nolte is a Technology and Engineering Instructor at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, Wisconsin and serves as the Director of the FVL STEM Academy. He has taught several PLTW courses and is a Master Teacher for Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE). Outside the classroom Nathan serves as the advisor for the FVL VEX Robotics Team and the Commissioner for the Fox Valley VEX Robotics League. He also currently sits on the PLTW Wisconsin State Leadership Team.
Alan Nolte
Curriculum Director
Fox Valley Lutheran High School
Curriculum Director, math and STEM instructor (3rd year with Aerospace Engineering) at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton Wisconsin. Led implementation of their PLTW program and has assisted with STEM summer camps for the last 4 years. Has earned a Masters in Education Leadership.
PLTW Value Added Enrichments for your Program
PLTW classes can be stand alone or enhanced to benefit your school and your community. Value added components, such as STEM summer camps, after-school enrichment, community partnerships and STEM outreach to elementary and middle schools, create a program of study that provides students with an experience similar to a magnet/specialized program, all while attending their home school. Make your program exceptional! Share ideas with other schools and districts interested in providing the best possible educational experience to their students.
Erica Harris
Assistant Principal
Bel Air High School
Erica Harris is an assistant principal at Bel Air High School in Bel Air, MD. She was instrumental in bringing the PLTW Biomedical Sciences program to BAHS and has been the administrator in charge for the entirety of the 8 years in which the program has existed. Erica is a grant writing specialist who secures the funding necessary for the program to be successful. She fully supports her teachers in all of their endeavors and facilitates the innovative ideas that the BAHS program is constantly implementing.
BAHS has been recognized as a PLTW National Model School and as an Outstanding Secondary CTE Program for the state of Maryland. The school has been involved with PLTW since the inception of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. BAHS currently accommodates approximately 250 students and claims over 200 graduates of the program.
Joshua Clemmer
Lead Teacher
Bel Air High School
Joshua Clemmer is the Lead Teacher of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program and the Science Department Chairperson at Bel Air School in Bel Air, MD. In addition to teaching Biomedical Innovation, he also teaches Earth Science, Marine Science, and Geohazards Engineering. Joshua enjoys striving to keep his teaching on the cutting edge of technology and available resources.
BAHS has been recognized as a PLTW National Model School and as an Outstanding Secondary CTE Program for the state of Maryland. The school has been involved with PLTW since the inception of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. BAHS currently accommodates approximately 250 students and claims over 200 graduates of the program.
Michael Burke
Teacher, Director of Technology & Multimedia
Bel Air High School
Michael Burke began his career by being named a "Teacher of Promise" by the Maryland State Department of Education in 2009. Since then he has been the Director of Technology and Multimedia as well as a HBS and BI teacher at Bel Air High School. Michael prides himself on the myriad of technical and productivity skills that his students develop while in his classes.
BAHS has been recognized as a PLTW National Model School and as an Outstanding Secondary CTE Program for the state of Maryland. The school has been involved with PLTW since the inception of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. BAHS currently accommodates approximately 250 students and claims over 200 graduates of the program.
Billings Public Schools K-8 Implementation
This session explores how Billings Public Schools engaged their community to elevate their time, talent, and philanthropic resources to create positive change in STEM education.
Kim Anthony
Executive Director of Curriculum and Instrucion
Billings Public Schools
Kim Anthony has worked as Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Billings Public Schools for the past four years . Previously she was both an elementary principal and a teacher within the district for over 25 years. She has a passion for STEM education and it is her dream to make sure that all students are exposed to a variety of courses so they can see the endless possibilities for their futures.
Krista Hertz
Executive Director of the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools
Billings Public Schools
Krista Hertz is the Executive Director of the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools. She has been involved with the Foundation for the past 8 years. Prior to her work at the Foundation she was a business teacher. Krista is a parent of two boys in PLTW classes and she sees the endless possibilities for their future.
Susan Plath
Grant Writer
Billings Public Schools
Susan Plath has written grants for Billings Public Schools for the last 16 years. She loves watching students engage with projects resulting from successful grant applications. Involvement with PLTW implementation has resulted in great quotes from teachers, students, administrators and parents for use in grant applications. She knows first hand about the power of PLTW. Her daughter took two years of PLTW’s Pre-Engineering class. She went on to become a civil engineer.
Jamie Nixdorf
Math/Science Coach
Billings Public Schools
Jamie Nixdorf has worked as a district math and science coach for Billings Public Schools for the past two years. Previously, she was a high school math teacher for thirteen years. She has a passion for helping students experience the wonder and curiosity that is provided through STEM.
Perry Initiative: Engineering in Medicine
The non-profit Perry Initiative inspires women to become engineers and surgeons through inspiring experiences and mentoring focused on the inter-related disciplines of orthopedic surgery and biomechanical engineering. The Initiative is entering its 7th year of continuous programming, reaching 2500 female high school and 500 female medical students annually through its extracurricular programs. Perry Initiative is proud to partner with PLTW and members of the medical device industry in building a diverse talent pipeline in engineering and medicine.
Jenni Buckley
State Leader, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
University of Delaware
Jenni Buckley is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Delaware. She teaches mechanical design and was integral to forming the new Design Studio space on campus. Her research efforts focus on medical device design, particularly in orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and simulation. Dr. Buckley is also the co-founder and executive director of The Perry Initiative, a non-profit that inspires women to pursue careers in underrepresented areas of engineering and medicine, and she is the Delaware State Leader for Project Lead The Way.
Amy Tauth-Nare
Associate Director, Professional Development Center for Educators
University of Delaware
Dr. Amy Trauth-Nare is an Associate Director for Teacher Education and Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Delaware. A botanist by training, Dr. Trauth-Nare taught STEM at the high school level before completing her PhD in science education at Indiana University. Dr. Trauth-Nare serves as the Affiliate Director for PLTW at University of Delaware and conducts a wide range of STEM professional development for the Delaware K12 STEM teacher community.
Promoting PLTW Through Summer Robotics Camps
Promote PLTW Pre-Engineering programs by facilitating an elementary / middle school summer robotics program that utilizes high school PLTW Pre-Engineering students as camp leaders and teachers. Just think of the enriching and engaging interactions between the campers and the camp leaders! Robotics programs provide PLTW students an opportunity to use their classroom knowledge and skills in a real world environment. Engaging students in summer robotics camps enhances the STEM opportunities within local communities.
Lauri Schoening
Pre-Engineering Instructor
Great Plains Technology Center
Laurie grew up in Lawton, OK and after completing high school she attended Abilene Christian University and received a BBA in Marketing. She later returned to school here in Lawton and received a BA of Accountancy from Cameron University. She began her teaching career 10 years ago. She taught math for Lawton Public Schools for 9 years. She is in her second year of teaching for the Great Plains Technology Center Pre-Engineering Academy. She teaches Introduction to Engineering Design and Principles of Engineering at Eisenhower High School. She also sponsors a Vex Robotics team and a Stock Market team at Eisenhower High School. Laurie and her husband Dana have two children, Garrett and Sarah. In her free time she likes to run and recently completed the NYC marathon with her sister.
Trecia A. Karinshak
Teacher
Great Plains Technology Center
Trecia has been an educator for over twenty years. She has a Master’s degree in Mathematics from SUNY Potsdam and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Math Education from Old Dominion University. Additionally, except for her dissertation (ABD), she has completed all of the requirements towards a Ph.D. in Statistics at Oklahoma State University. She has held teaching certifications in Virginia, Missouri, New York and currently Oklahoma. Teaching assignments have included all levels of mathematics from 7th grade through collegiate levels. Currently she is in “teaching heaven” at Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton, Oklahoma where she teaches Introduction to Engineering (IED), Principles of Engineering (POE) and AP Physics 1 as part of the Pre-Engineering Academy, a certified PLTW program, at Great Plains. In her free time she has discovered a new passion…working with students involving VEX Robotics. Her robotics teams have been fortunate to qualify for the VEX World Robotics Championship for the past two years.
Using the Student Voice in the Community
Students are the most powerful resource you have to expand and promote PLTW in your school and around the state. Learn from teachers and district delegates who have specialized in getting students out in the community to improve and sustain PLTW programs.
Doug Klein
Affiliate Director
University of Kentucky
Doug began teaching Project Lead The Way Engineering Courses in 2006. He completed training in 6 of the courses in the engineering pathway and was a master teacher. In his last teaching position his program excelled in developing relationships to the community and being a hub for robotics competitions in the state. In 2014 Doug was hired by the University of Kentucky to oversee its PLTW Affiliate.
Using PLTW to Create Transformational Change
Skills shortages in STEM occupations are obvious, but deliberate steps to truly build a STEM talent pipeline are few. To achieve this, East Power Kentucky Cooperative (EPKC) and PLTW launched the STEM Transforming Eastern Kentucky (STEM-TEK) initiative, which aims to create a future workforce ready for high-skill, high-wage jobs. STEM-TEK was featured at CGI (Clinton Global Initiative) America, and selected by President Bill Clinton as an exemplary approach to addressing critical domestic challenges. We hope that our story will inspire others in the room to take action.
Mark Harrell
Director of School Engagement
Project Lead The Way
Mark Harrell is the Director of School Engagement (KY/TN) for Project Lead The Way (PLTW) the nation’s leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. His primary role is to expose schools to PLTW’s World-class STEM curriculum and help implement to fidelity. Since graduating from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Technology Education he has made it his mission to prepare K-12 students for the STEM workforce. Mark started his career teaching students the value of life-long STEM learning at Bryan Station High School in Lexington, KY. The opportunity arose to teach at Franklin County Career-Tech Center and he built one of the top Project Lead The Way Engineering Pathways in KY. During his time in Franklin County he transitioned to District STEM Coordinator before accepting his current position with PLTW. Mark has a master’s degree in Career and Technical Education Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. He is a current resident of Frankfort, KY and is married to Erin Harrell with two children Treyton and Elliotte.
Brad Thomas
Promoting Your PLTW Program to New Heights
Promoting your PLTW program within your school and community is essential to its growth and sustainability. In this can’t-miss session for educators and administrators, learn implementable tips and tactics to increase awareness, enrollment, and support for your school or district’s PLTW program(s). We also encourage you to come prepared with your own successful methods and strategies to share. Promotional areas include within the school and district, external stakeholders, media, and more.
Jennifer Cahill
Senior Director of Media and Public Relations
Project Lead The Way
Jennifer leads PLTW’s public relations and media strategies and acts as the organization’s spokesperson. Prior to her current role, Jennifer managed PLTW’s brand, social media, marketing, and overall internal and external communications strategies. Before joining PLTW, Jennifer served as the director of major gifts for Indiana’s third-largest urban school district, raising funds to support core academic programs and initiatives. She has also served as the host of a local education television program and worked for four years as a television news reporter and anchor.
Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway
Designed to help schools adopt best practices in STEM education, the Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway includes a tool and process to assess current STEM programming and create a practical plan for improvement. Schools then select priorities and formulate a timeline and action plan to address goals. The Pathway helps identify and implement the tenets of quality STEM education. The Pathway is non-punitive and envisioned as a long-term, goal-oriented, encouraging approach. Join with Pathway leadership at Carnegie Science Center as well as key partners from the Kansas City STEM Alliance and Missouri Math and Science Coalition to learn about how the Pathway is transforming STEM partnerships across the country.
Alana Kulesa
Science Center Leader
Carnegie Science Center
Kulesa researches and explores potential new education programs and projects, develops concrete plans, and brings ideas to fruition as an entrepreneurial engine of growth and new opportunities for the Carnegie Science Center. With a background in Anthropology and Museum Studies, Kulesa has worked in a variety of museums and nonprofit organizations including the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 3 Rivers Connect, the AMD3 Foundation, the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, The Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History, and the Duke University Museum of Art. With extensive experience in program development, fundraising and experiential education in informal learning environments, Kulesa gains inspiration from being part of the journey between imagining the possibilities and creating realities. She has been with Carnegie Science Center since 2012.
Martha McCabe
Manager of STEM Initiatives
Kansas City STEM Alliance
Martha McCabe serves as the Manager of STEM Initiatives for the Kansas City STEM Alliance developing relationships with schools, post-secondary institutions, STEM organizations and industry working on strategic education initiatives and community partnerships. Martha chairs the regional Girls in STEM Committee, is the co-state leader for the MO/KS Million Women Mentor initiative and coordinates outreach and advocacy efforts serving as a liaison to the national Project Lead the Way organization. As a clinical exercise physiologist, Martha worked at healthcare facilities in Kansas City and in New Hampshire prior to relocating to Wisconsin focusing on healthcare advocacy and workforce initiatives. With an interest in rural healthcare issues, Martha opened a federally and state funded Area Health Education Center earning a National AHEC Outstanding Health Professions Education Program Award, WI Business Friend of Education and WI DPI Outstanding Rural Schools Initiative Award. She received both her graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Kansas and resides in Lawrence, Kansas.
Brian Crouse
Industry and Education Speak the Same Language.
Can industry and education speak the same language? Hear Mike Smitley of DENSO Manufacturing describe the numerous benefits his company and other Southwest Michigan manufacturers have seen from rallying behind a STEM/PLTW county-wide implementation model. Come learn how Kalamazoo County in Michigan works to build a pipeline of thousands of young people by investing in a long-term workforce solution, and how you can too. Great things happen when industry and education collaborate with a common purpose!
Jason Luke
Program Administrator
Kalamazoo RESA
Jason received a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education from Western MI University and a Masters in Counseling from Andrews University. He has served in education for over twenty years as a high school teacher and counselor. He is currently a Career Technical Education Administrator for Kalamazoo RESA’s (CTE) Education for Employment program. He is passionate about creating more student interest in Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) careers for the local districts. By offering PLTW’s comprehensive programs to Kalamazoo County schools, Kalamazoo RESA continues to ensure a STEM-based opportunity for students which will influence the future economic development of Southwest Michigan.
Mike Smitley
Engineering Section Leader
DENSO Manufacturing Michigan, Inc.
Deb Kolberg
STEM Teacher Consultant
Kalamazoo RESA/ Education for Employment
PLTW, HOSA and The Partnership Team
HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and Future Health Professionals are organizations with a mission in creating student leadership opportunities as well as allowing students to compete in events in the medical field. Teachers and administration alike will learn how to connect HOSA to the PLTW Biomedical Science classroom and how to incorporate their partnership team in an effective way in a small rural school. The partnership team and HOSA provide enhancement for learning as well as life skills that students must obtain before entering into a medical profession.
Jennifer Doran
PLTW Biomedical Science Teacher, Master Teacher of HBS
New London High School
My name is Jennifer Doran. I teach in New London, WI and have been teaching for fourteen years. I have been teaching PLTW Biomedical classes for the past five years. I have been a Master Teacher for HBS for three years. I have been a HOSA advisor for two years. I am passionate about teaching students and connecting the PLTW curriculum to real life scenarios.
Engaging Partnership Teams as PLTW Capstone Project Mentors and Advisors
This session will highlight a PLTW Partnership Team model that connects partnership team members with capstone course students acting as project mentors and advisors throughout the scope of the course. Students work with and receive feedback, suggestions and guidance from partnership team members on a regular basis. This model allows all partnership team members to play an active, meaningful and important role in curriculum and offers them a deeper insight into their school’s PLTW program. Presenter Barry Witte and his partnership team have been working with this model for over fifteen years but the model can be adapted to any size program with any number of partnership team members.
Barry Witte
Engineering Instructor
Colonie Central High School
Barry Witte earned his B.S. in Chemistry from the U.S. Naval Academy and M.A. in Education from Old Dominion University, and has been teaching for 23 years. Witte serves as a Master Teacher for the capstone course “Engineering Design and Development” (EDD) and was among the original authors for the EDD and a major contributor to the Original “Principles of Engineering Course” (POE). Mr. Witte is also an adjunct instructor for Hudson Valley Community College’s Photovoltaic courses and a Naval Academy Admissions Counselor for Northeastern New York. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, he is a member of the Energy Professional Learning Team. Mr. Witte’s favorite part about teaching STEM is his belief that the material is always changing, so there is always something new to learn and teach.
Thomas Spencer
Engineering Instructor, Department Chair
Grassfield Governor's STEM Academy
Tom Spencer is a veteran teacher in his twenty-sixth year of teaching in Chesapeake, Virginia. He has been a National Science Foundation Grantee in the Teachers Experiencing Antarctica Program, a NASA Teacher in Residence, a NASA Faculty Fellow, a Project NEED Engineering and CTE Advisor, an NSF SMART project facilitator, an adjunct instructor at Old Dominion University and The University of Virginia. He currently serves as an instructor and Department Chair in the Engineering Program at Grassfield High School and Governor's STEM Academy where he teaches Civil Engineering and Architecture, Digital Electronics and Engineering Design and Development. He is a consultant and conference leader for the Southeast Maritime and Transportation (SMART) Center, an NSF ATE Center where he works on projects to integrate maritime-themed competitions into curriculum and on strategy for developing and disseminating career pathway information.
Partnerships and Place-Based Resources in Hawaii
New resources in Hawaii provide opportunities for PLTW students to connect with their local economy, communities, and culture. The Learning Coalition (TLC) is a Honolulu-based private foundation dedicated to excellence in Hawaii public schools TLC supports sustainable school-community partnerships that increase student engagement and ultimately lead to improved academic achievement and attainment. Through TLC's support, a consortium of teachers, community leaders, and cultural experts began developing place-based resources that leverage local expertise and recognize the unique contexts that transform learning experiences for students of Hawaii. Discover the strategies used and the impact on student achievement.
Diana Warren
Director of School Engagement
Project Lead The WaY
Diana Papini Warren is the PLTW Director of School Engagement for Hawai'i and the Pacific.
Matthew Lorin
Vice President
Learning Coalition
Matt is Vice President of The Learning Coalition where he is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation and day-to-day operations of the organization. From 2007-2011, he was the Education Program Officer for the Harold K. L. Castle Foundation. Before joining the Foundation, he was a member of the Senior Management Team at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), where he served as the Director for Planning, Research, Evaluation and Grants. From 1995 to 1997, Matt was a director on President Clinton’s National Security Council Staff in the Office of Multilateral and Humanitarian Affairs. Before accepting his appointment in the White House, Matt was Founder and Executive Director of SHARE, the Student Human Rights Exchange — a pioneering non-profit organization that put information and communication technologies to work to promote civil society in countries undergoing political transition. Matt serves on the Board of Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship at Tufts University. He is a Leadership Fellow at the Institute for Global Leadership and participates in working groups on civil-military affairs and the delivery of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies. He is a member of the National Policy Roundtable. He sits on the boards of various local not-for-profits including Hawaii Education Matters, Our Public School and the Hakipu’u Learning Center. Matt is a graduate of Tufts University and the Kennedy School of Government.
Hand of Grace- 3D Printed Prosthetics
PLTW Engineering students at Penn High School in northern Indiana designed, tested and 3D printed a prosthetic arm for a 9 year old girl. Experience the amazing journey that changed the lives of a little girl, a family, a school and a community. Find out how you could implement a project like this in your school. Teachers will see an example and resources for prosthetic projects. Administrators and directors will find cross-curricular examples and see community involvement. Come see another example of PLTW teachers and students making a difference and enriching our students’ education.
Josiah Parker
Master Teacher, Engineering and Architecture Teacher
Penn High School
Josiah Parker is an Architecture and Engineering teacher at Penn High School near South Bend Indiana. He is trained in 4 PLTW courses, IED, POE, CEA and EDD. Josiah is also a Master Teacher for the CEA course.
Eligible use of Perkins Funds for PLTW
PLTW programs depend heavily on the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, also known as Perkins IV. However, this federal funding accounts for only 5% of public funds spent on CTE nationally, with the remainder coming from state and local sources. Often, confusing funding limitations from these other sources. Come learn about the flexibility of the Federal law and gain a better understanding of how you can utilize Perkins IV funds for PLTW implementation.
Amy Horton
Director, Policy, Advocacy, and Research
Project Lead The Way
Amy is based in the Indianapolis office, where she leads a team of policy analysts, a senior research associate, and a project coordinator. Prior to joining PLTW, Amy worked for the Indiana Department of Education, where she first served as Senior Policy Advisor, and then as Assistant Superintendent for Student Achievement & Growth. In the latter role, she oversaw standards, assessment, accountability, federal education programs, STEM, CTE, and AP, IB, and dual credit.
Before working at the IDOE, Amy served Vice President of Sagamore Institute, an Indianapolis-based think tank where she focused on administrative matters and education policy. Amy relocated to Indianapolis to join Sagamore after spending over 14 years in Washington, D.C. where she served as legislative assistant, legislative director, and counsel for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. After six years on the Hill, Amy joined the administration to serve as Chief of Staff at the formerly-titled Office of Vocational and Adult Education, where she worked on reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins law.
Amy finished her federal service at the U.S. Peace Corps, where she led the Office of Domestic Programs, which administered the agency’s K-12 and higher education programs. Amy also served as Director of the Office of Overseas Programming and Training Support, which developed programming and training for Peace Corps volunteers and staff around the world. Amy holds a Juris Doctor degree from Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington, and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Denison University.
Hosting a PLTW Visitation Day to Leverage Support
Building support and understanding of PLTW at the local and regional level is critical to the development and sustainability of a healthy PLTW program. Leaders of the Elkhorn Area School District will share their template and model for hosting visitation days, which resulted in positive support from legislators, state officials, business partners and other school districts from around the state. You will leave the session with ready to use tools and templates to return home and hold your own PLTW visitation days.
Jason Tadlock
State Leader, Superintendent
Elkhorn Area School District
Jason Tadlock is the Superintendent of Elkhorn Area School District, and a national consultant with Northwest Evaluation Association. He has overseen the successful implementation of all PLTW programs at the 9-12 level as well as, Gateway, and PLTW Launch. Elkhorn Area School district has the distinction of providing all students, at all grade levels, the opportunity participate in PLTW units and courses. These programs have been recognized for their excellence and positive impact that they have had on student growth and achievement. Jason also serves on the Wisconsin State PLTW Leadership Team and has been recognized nationally as a leader in technology integration.
Chris Trottier
Administrator
As a high school administrator and member of the Wisconsin PLTW State Leadership Team, I have successfully launched and certified two high schools in PLTW Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. Through this advocacy, students and teachers have become Master Teachers, while continuing to reach out to local businesses as viable partners to the PLTW Community.
Eryca Card
PLTW Coach, Master Teacher
Elkhorn Area School District
I serve as a PLTW Launch Coach for the Elkhorn Area School District. I also teach middle school science.
Jerry Iserloth
Master Teacher
STEM Pathway: Organizational Excellence
A STEM pathway is more than just teachers, classrooms, and curriculum. Four powerful pillars help create a dynamic STEM Pathway: Leadership Excellence, Meaningful Experiences, Superior Service, and Sustainability & Legacy. Together these pillars create a culture of common purpose, support, innovation, and collaboration that will inspire for years to come. STEM Pathway: Organizational Excellence is for anyone interested in learning best practices for establishing a strong, lasting program vision, culture, and processes for their organization that inspires its members and community. You will have opportunities to reflect, and begin to define the impact your organization will have on its members and on the community as a whole.
Shawn Hardina
Founder East Valley Robotics Academy, Master Teacher
East Valley Robotics Academy
Shawn Hardina founded the East Valley Robotics Academy, LLC, a STEM education, consulting, and coaching organization in 2014. His career spans more than 23 years in education involving curriculum design, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Pathway creation, co-operative learning, high school and college science and robotics, and instructional coaching. The East Valley Robotics Academy, LLC specializes in "building collaborative communities dedicated to transforming STEM education by helping schools, districts, and youth organizations in creating customized and sustainable STEM experiences that will Engage, Educate, and Empower people of all ages."Prior to founding the East Valley Robotics Academy, LLC, Shawn oversaw the creation and implementation of the Campo Verde High School Biomedical Sciences Pathway in Gilbert, Arizona, the creation and sustainability of the FIRST Robotics Competition Program in Kingman, Arizona, and the creation and implementation of a Math Science Partnership Grant in Kingman, Arizona. In addition to the creation of unique and impactful STEM Pathways Shawn has been a High School Science, Biomedical Sciences, and Robotics teacher, a Kagan Cooperative learning trainer, a Master Teacher for Project Lead The Way Biomedical Sciences, and a K-6 Science/Literacy Instructional Coach.Shawn holds a BS in Physiology from the University of California at Davis, currently holds a teacher certificate in Chemistry, General Science, and Career and Technical Education and received National Board Certification for Chemistry in 2002.
Partnerships that Work
Partnerships built between institutions of higher education, organizations such as PLTW, and schools benefit all parties. One example is the partnership between PLTW, Carthage Collage, and the Kenosha School of Technology Enhanced Curriculum (KTEC). Pre-service education students soak in the KTEC curriculum and culture by taking math and science methods classes at KTEC, collaborating with KTEC staff particularly in the areas of STEM, and receiving experience working directly with students. These partnerships require commitment by all parties. The end result is higher performance by students at KTEC and better prepared future educators.
Dr. Angela Anderson
Principal
Kenosha School of Technology Enhanced Curriculum
Dr. Angela Andersson graduated from Texas A&M University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts and in 1995 with a Ph.D in political science. She taught political science at Loyola University Chicago before starting to teach in Kenosha Unified in 2000. In January 2006, she began planning a school with Sarah McMillian, Gateway Master Teacher, that eventually became the Kenosha School of Technology Enhanced Curriculum and opened in September 2007. Dr. Andersson has been in the role of principal since KTEC opened and recently led KTEC through an expansion to a second campus. She is incredibly proud of how the curricular program at KTEC is producing high level of achievement for KTEC students and opening doors for these students to further education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math and accredits the Project Lead the Way Gateway and Launch program with much of that success.
Prisca Moore
Teacher
Kenosha School of Technology Enhanced Curriculum
Technology and Innovation
STEM Education: Meeting All Students’ Needs
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is an integral part of 21st Century teaching, learning, and leading initiatives throughout the United States. Educators, school leaders, and educational policy makers strive to ensure that all students become responsible, resourceful, and reflective global citizens, and STEM programs and resources provide students the opportunity to be successful leaders, collaborators, and decision-makers. This presentation assists educators and educational leaders in developing and implementing methods of differentiated instruction in STEM education for all students, in particular for gifted students. Key components of STEM lessons and the design processes are highlighted, explained, and discussed.
Dr. Rachel Geesa
Assistant Professor
Ball State University, Department of Educational Leadership
Dr. Rachel Geesa's research involves educational administration, STEM and fine arts integration in educational programs, and comparative international education studies. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Ball State University where she teaches educational decision-making courses and guides students in doctoral and masters of arts in education programs in educational administration. For seven years, Dr. Geesa was an administrator and teacher for Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). During Dr. Geesa's tenure with DoDEA, she worked in schools on U.S. military installations in Seoul, Korea, Yokosuka, Japan, and Quantico, Virginia. Dr. Geesa was a teacher greater Indianapolis area schools prior to her position with DoDEA.
Dr. Geesa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education, art history, fine arts, and photography from Purdue University and a Master of Art Education degree from Indiana University. At Ball State University, Dr. Geesa completed a Master of Arts in educational psychology degree, a Master of Arts in Education in educational administration degree, a Specialist in Education in school superintendency degree, and a Doctor of Education in educational administration degree prior to becoming a professor at Ball State University.
Introduction to STEM Premier
STEM Premier is the first cradle‐to‐career online solution that assists students in designing a career pathway, educators in recruiting top talent to their schools, and employers in developing a stable, continuous talent pipeline. STEM Premier creates a world of possibility by bringing students, mentors, resources, colleges, and companies together into a virtual hub.
Casey Welch
COO & Co-Founder
STEM Premier
Casey Welch comes from an extensive background in technology and education. Before co-founding STEM Premier, he held leadership positions with NorthTech Partners, Inc. and Stimulus Engineering Services as their Director of Business & Technology Development. Prior to that he served as Lead of Global Policy Management Group at Citigroup. Casey attended Purdue University where he earned his Masters in Engineering/Technology Education and Bachelor of Science in Technology. While attending Purdue’s graduate program, Casey was an instructor for various courses including Manufacturing, Power & Energy, Communications and Construction. Due to his performance, Casey received the Indiana Outstanding Future Educator Award. He also played football for the Boilermakers and earned Scholar-Athlete and All Academic Big Ten honors.
Shea Tighe
National Director of Engagement
STEM Premier
Shea Tighe is the "Jack-of-all trades" for STEM Premier. His experience in a diverse array of industries - marketing, planning, design, and public relations - allow him to wear many different hats. Shea currently directs all K-12 and post-secondary engagement nationally, leads all marketing and front-end web design efforts, and supports the leadership team in strategic planning. He's also a big-time culture enthusiast and strives daily to make STEM Premier the best place to work in the world...yes, he knows that's ambitious. Prior to joining STEM Premier, Shea held marketing and design positions with creative firms across the Southeast - the most recent being an Urban Designer with a land planning firm in Charleston, SC. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2008 - Go Dawgs! When not collaborating with his much smarter colleagues at STEM Premier HQ, you can find Shea surfing out on Folly Beach or making his next cup of coffee. He loves coffee.
Channelle Ragland
Director of Strategic Partnerships
STEM Premier
Channelle brings leadership experience in youth program development and outreach, fundraising, and executive management. She has experience developing, managing, and sustaining collaborative partnerships and outreach education programs for regional, state, and national organizations. Channelle comes to STEM Premier from Project Lead The Way where she served as Director of Student Relations. Prior to PLTW, Channelle served as State Director for Indiana’s Twenty-first Century Scholars program and Executive Director of Southwest Indiana College Access Network. Channelle is passionate about transforming youth into thriving, educated, socially conscious citizens. Throughout her career, she has worked to provide under-represented students access to a college education and expose youth to academic and professional opportunities. Channelle is a graduate of Indiana University Southeast with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Masters of Social Work from the University of Southern Indiana. She also studied education leadership and administration through Brown University and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation's Leadership Learning Cadre. Channelle resides in Atlanta and remains a committed fan of the Indianapolis Colts.
Getting into Git
Learn how to leverage the power of Git and Github. Git is a powerful distributed version control software solution and Github is a cloud based Git storage and collaboration space. Explore how Git and Github can be used to enhance the teaching and learning in the PLTW CS classroom and beyond. We address what Git is and how it can be used with both text-based code and other files. Topics covered will include creating and sharing public and private repositories, forking repositories and creating pull requests, making commits, making branches, merging branches and resolving merge conflicts, and using a GUI and a command line interface.
Nathan Nolte
Technology and Engineering Instructor
Fox Valley Lutheran High School
Nathan Nolte is a Technology and Engineering Instructor at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, Wisconsin and serves as the Director of the FVL STEM Academy. He has taught several PLTW courses and is a Master Teacher for Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE). Outside the classroom Nathan serves as the advisor for the FVL VEX Robotics Team and the Commissioner for the Fox Valley VEX Robotics League. He also currently sits on the PLTW Wisconsin State Leadership Team.
Realizing ROI by Implementing Certification Autodesk in the Classroom
Competency-based education is on the rise and teachers often feel the pressure to provide measurable outcomes in the classroom. With more focus on the “return on investment” for specific courses, it’s time to consider certification. Certification is a proven method of assessing a student’s knowledge, while also teaching invaluable skills that prepare students for the future. Students who earn certifications demonstrate to employers and colleges they possess verifiable, industry demanded skills.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a record 21.6 million students attended American colleges and universities in fall 2013, constituting an increase of about 6.2 million since fall 2000. However, despite increasing college enrollment many employers question whether academic institutions are adequately preparing today’s graduates for the competitive work environment. According to “Education to Employment, Designing a System that Works, “ 72 percent of education institutions believe recent graduates are ready for work, but only 42 percent of employers agree.
Certification helps ensure that students know how to apply technology in real-world business situations, not just how to use it socially. Individuals who certify open doors to career opportunities by demonstrating verifiable, marketable skills required by today’s workplace.
Mike Maddock
Certiport
Innovation, The Maker Movement and PLTW
Makerspaces, Fab Labs, Innovation Centers and Problem-based learning in education are all exploding in the media. How does that affect your PLTW classroom? Is it different? Is it the same? Come learn about these environments, and all aspects of this movement, and how these tools benefit your students. Find out about the three basic types of Makerspaces and what goes into them. Explore how to implement Makerspaces into your classroom, and how they support the essential questions and allow for higher level thinking. We dive deep into how to explore careers and partnerships using the Community Makerspace.
Terri Tessman
Master Teacher
Terri Tessmann has been involved in PLTW for many years, teaching in the Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and Computer Science pathways at various grade levels. She is a Master Teacher for Medical Interventions, Biomedical Innovations and Introduction to Computer Sciences. She has started PLTW programs in multiple cities (all three paths), and as become a requested program starter for multiple school districts. She also presents annually at the WI and IL State PLTW conferences and other Professional conferences. She has piloted multiple courses for PLTW, as well as worked on the curriculum and assessment writing teams
How Can Assessments Really Help Me?
We use assessments and their results for many purposes. For teachers, improving instruction means focusing on assessment data. Join us as we focus on how the PLTW EoC assessments and EoC scores can help you in your classroom. Information will be provided regarding the meaning of the PLTW EoC score, as well as resources available to help you better understand your students’ scores. The session will also include a panel of PLTW Master Teachers exploring ways assessments help them in their classrooms, including assessment strategies, how the results are used, and tips for strategy implementation.
Claudia Guerere
Senior Director of Assessment
Project Lead The Way
Chris Hurd
Master Teacher
Chris Hurd has been a Technology Teacher in Upstate NY for 26 years, and he has taught IED, CIM, POE, DE and EDD for the last 15 years, He has also been a master teacher for CIM for the last 14 years. He also enjoys hiking, fishing and cycling for fun, and spending time with his family outdoors.
Amanda Ooten
PLTW Teacher
Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School
Using the myPLTW Learning Management System (LMS) Beginner
Learn to use all of the amazing features of the Canvas LMS to better deliver your content, interact with your students and evaluate student work. Prioritize using the To Do list. Plan using the calendar and due dates. Communicate via messaging, announcements and discussions. Use and modify existing assignments to meet your needs. Add due dates and rubrics. Group students for team assignments so that you can provide feedback and a grade to all team members at once. Create quizzes on Canvas and learn to analyze the results. Use SpeedGrader to provide feedback to students in many different formats. Harness technology to improve teaching and learning in your classroom.
Heidi Hisrich
Master Teacher
Richmond High School
Heidi Hisrich teaches all 4 PLTW BMS courses and is a Master Teacher for Medical Interventions. She is passionate about using technology to enhance teaching and learning.
Utilizing Assessments in the LMS
In this technology learn-shop, you will learn to create different types of assessment questions and item banks in the LMS, Question types include multiple choice, numerical answer, essay and file uploads. You will also learn to place images, upload video, create math equations and format text while creating assessment items. In addition, we cover creating tests from item banks. Finally, you will learn to collect and interpret data from completed classroom assessments, and import and export test data.
Mark McAllister
Master Teacher
Lafayette High School
My name is Mark McAllister and I have been an Introduction to Engineering Design Master Teacher for three years. I have taught PLTW courses since 2003 and am certified in POE, IED, CEA and EDD.
Measure Model Make … The Future is Built by You.
This session will introduce PLTW educators to 3D technologies being applied in schools and businesses around the world. The universal workflow of Measure-Model-Make will frame an interactive discussion on what 3D shape tools exist, how to apply them within PLTW programs, and how to connect K-12 schools with higher education and local/regional business. Registered PLTW attendees will receive pre-session-assigned reading on 3D terminology and trends to prime a dynamic in-session discussion on the skills needed for employment in the five general industry segments of: Design, Manufacturing, Animation, Science, and Art. Come to the session and discover how to inspire, engage and empower your tech-savvy students. The Future is Built by You.
Daniel Gustafson
NextEngine 3D Scanner
Dan discovered the power of touch probe digitizing in ’92 when starting work at Fadal Machining Centers. The California Company that in the early 80’s made CNC machine tool technology affordable triggering a shift in global manufacturing efficiency. He joined NextEngine in ’06 with launch of the revolutionary 2020i Desktop 3D Scanner priced at cost 1/10th of competitive systems. Now with the worlds largest installed user base of 3D Scanners most of his time is spent learning and sharing how to apply measured points into 3D modeling for Design, Manufacturing, Animation, Science, Art, and Education.
How to Run an Effective Core Training
Join the conversation in this comprehensive discussion outlining a successful Core Training. Dissect the planning process by dividing tasks into subsets to easily achieve goals. Leave with tips and tricks on how to make the planning process for Core Training more manageable.
Kate Sirk
Associate Director of Engagement
Project Lead The Way
Kate is a member of PLTW’s National Engagement Team. She works primarily with PLTW’s Affiliate Universities to deliver Core Training events to the PLTW network and on their use of PLTW’s external information technology systems. Prior to her current role, Kate was a member of the Solutions Center and helped support PLTW teachers in their classrooms. Before joining PLTW, Kate worked with pre-Kindergarten students on Kindergarten Readiness, which ignited her passion for PLTW’s mission.
Bruce Westermo
Affiliate Director
San Diego State University
Sarah Pillittere
Associate Director
Rochester Institute of Technology
Doug Klein
Affiliate Director
University of Kentucky
Doug began teaching Project Lead The Way Engineering Courses in 2006. He completed training in 6 of the courses in the engineering pathway and was a master teacher. In his last teaching position his program excelled in developing relationships to the community and being a hub for robotics competitions in the state. In 2014 Doug was hired by the University of Kentucky to oversee its PLTW Affiliate.
Ben Yates
Affiliate Senior Director
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Ben Yates has been involved in education for 41 years. He has served as a classroom teacher, a building and district administrator, a teacher educator. He has been involved with PLTW since 2006 and has been the assistant affiliate and now the senior affiliate director for four years at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Sniffing Out Disease- Using your sense of smell to engineer better detection of disease.
Researchers commonly employ their senses to solve problems. We utilize a visual inspection of cultures by way of color differentiation as a measure of cellular behaviors and properties. This method uses a less explored sense-smell. The "capstone" investigative piece will explore different smell generating pathways for pathogen detection. A Biobuilder kit implements the basics of genetic engineering to solve every day medical problems and expedite treatments using a sense that we often forget! This workshop is for many levels, from middle school to college classrooms.
Michelle Pagani
Product Developer
Ward's Science
As a High School and Community College instructor, I have always looked for innovative ways of presenting fundamental ideas in a new way. I currently teach Microbiology as an adjunct teacher while searching for new products to offer to teachers.
Empower Student Performance with Digital Badges
Classroom teachers need practical and efficient avenues to assess their students’ progress with Inventor software throughout the PLTW Design and Modeling course. Sixth-grade science teachers share their seamless performance assessment approach for DM, a required course for all students at their school. This grade-level, digital-badge system inspires students to learn, engages them in their own progress and empowers them to serve as mentors. Students earn badges for required Inventor tasks as well as community-building actions such as helping others. Concrete takeaways from this interactive session include complete badge system, student badge displays, Google Classroom structure and student reflections from Google Site portfolios.
Mary Iwanski
Science & Language Arts Teacher
Merton Community School District
Mary Iwanski is a teacher in the Merton Community School District. She currently teaches 6th Grade Science and Literacy (Reading and Writing Workshop). Technology integration and exploration are the cornerstones that keep students engaged and growing in Mary's classroom. Badge systems were a new aspect integrated into the curriculum last year, and have proven to be an important link in the connection between student motivation, engagement, and achievement.
Sarah Kraspowicz
Teacher
Merton Community School District
Sarah Kasprowicz is a Level 2 Google Certified Educator who teaches sixth grade science and language arts in Merton, Wisconsin. Kasprowicz is a Past-President and current member of the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Association for the Talented and Gifted.
Using the myPLTW Learning Management System (LMS) Intermediate
Learn to use all of the amazing features of the Canvas LMS to better deliver your content, interact with your students and evaluate student work. Prioritize using the To Do list. Plan using the calendar and due dates. Communicate via messaging, announcements and discussions. Use and modify existing assignments to meet your needs. Add due dates and rubrics. Group students for team assignments so that you can provide feedback and a grade to all team members at once. Create quizzes on Canvas and learn to analyze the results. Use SpeedGrader to provide feedback to students in many different formats. Harness technology to improve teaching and learning in your classroom.
Heidi Hisrich
Master Teacher
Richmond High School
Heidi Hisrich teaches all 4 PLTW BMS courses and is a Master Teacher for Medical Interventions. She is passionate about using technology to enhance teaching and learning.
DIY Sensors for Every STEM Subject
Many industries rely on sensor-based equipment: including just about every field of engineering, biomedicine, industry, manufacturing, automation, and safety. Other applications of sensors include robotics and related design contests. Just a few select sensor examples, that emphasize a handful of different “languages” that sensors speak, facilitate many other advanced topics in sensor projects. In this fun and engaging workshop, you will gain hands-on experience building and testing sensor circuits and automating measurements by programming a microcontroller to speak some of the most common sensor languages.
Andy Lindsay
Engineer
Parallax
Andy is a key part of the education team at Parallax . He has been extremely influential in developing many of the educational kits and books. He is the author of the "What's a Microcontroller Book," and the "Robotics with the Boe-Bot text" that are both part of our top selling educational kits. He also authored four other Stamps In Class textbooks and developed the Propeller Education Kit & Labs among others. If it has to do with Parallax Education, Andy has had his hand in it.
Andy started at Parallax in 1999 as an intern and was hired immediately after he graduated with his B.S. EEE (Electrical & Electronic Engineering). He found Parallax while working on his electronics engineering senior design project (a pair of glasses that can be worn to control a mouse). A power supply he had checked out from the lab malfunctioned and fried his first BASIC Stamp. At the time, he was really unhappy because not only was his microcontroller damaged, but he also missed an interim project deadline at school because of it. He says, "I didn’t know that when I brought that BASIC Stamp back to Parallax for a discounted replacement, I would find out about an internship opening. That’s how I got started at Parallax. If anyone had told me that damaging my first microcontroller and missing an interim design review for my senior project would be a career defining moment, I would never have guessed that it would result in the coolest job ever, working for Parallax using both software and electronic hardware to invent all manner of cool gizmos and gadgets."Andy enjoys electronics as a hobby, kayaking, and skateboarding when he is not busy writing or developing a new educational kit.
Matthew Maz
STEM/Robotics Educator
Parallax
Matt is a new addition to the Parallax team. He comes from a family of farmers and contractors and spend a lot of time on job sites as a toddler. Inspired by a couple of amazing teachers in high school, he chose to become a science teacher and studied physics and chemistry in college. While there, he spent time working as a sound engineer. He has taught middle school and high school science, and has spent the last 7 years in K-12 school administration. Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter - he's slowly getting his daughter hooked on building things! He enjoys wood and metal working, electronics as a hobby, downhill skiing, and swimming.
PLTW in the Classroom
Anatomy is BioEngineering; Learn Experiential BioTechnology
Experiential, hands-on, self-discovery by building clay models three-dimensionally of participants’ own functional anatomy systems onto scale-model skeletons.
Jon Zahourek
President
Zahourek Systems, Inc.
Gateway Best Practices Round Robin
Come join this interactive round robin style panel where audience members may join the panel to discuss best practices. The revolving panel will discuss best practices for teaching STEM in middle school, best practices for specific Gateway units including DM and AR, and best practices for implementing a thriving program.
Vanessa Stratton
Senior Director of Programs
Project Lead They Way
Vanessa is currently serves as Senior Director of Programs at Project Lead The Way. With ten years of teaching experience, over 3 years with PLTW, a B.A. in Biology from the University of Colorado, and a master’s degree in education from Regis University, Vanessa brings a wealth of expertise in instructional design, product design and development, and project management. Vanessa is credentialed in PLTW Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Gateway courses.
Including Students with Disabilities in Computing
This interactive session will introduce computing teachers to accessible tools and curricula, and to inclusive teaching strategies. You will learn about the Quorum programming language a text-based language that is easy to learn and accessible to students with physical and sensory disabilities. Quorum is a full-featured programming language with support for game programming, audio and speech, and graphics. We will review several accessible programming units interactively. You will also learn about AccessCS10K, a NSF-funded project supporting the inclusive teaching in PLTW K-12 Computer Science pathway courses, including Launch, Gateway, and AP CS Principles and AP CS-A.
Richard Ladner
Professor
University of Washington
Richard Ladner is a professor in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington. He is one of the Principal Investigators of the NSF-funded AccessCS10K that has the goal of increasing the participation and success of students with disabilities in K-12 computing courses. It develops accessible tools and curricula for computing courses. It works with projects providing professional development to help them include appropriate information about students with disabilities.
Overview Biomedical Sciences
An overview of the Project Lead The Way Biomedical Sciences Program. The session will focus on the nuts and bolts of BMS and how our program is different from other electives. Emphasis will be placed on the basics of beginning a program, linking learning with other core classes, skills and introduction to careers, establishing critical relationships with community and industry (HOSA and clinical internships), and an introduction to our partnership with AP.
Ellie Vandiver
Director of School Engagement
Project Lead The Way
PLTW Biomedical Teacher of the Year (2013) . Piloted BMS program in San Diego. San Diego High School Teacher of the Year.(2012) Director of School Engagement CA
Rebecca Howell
Center for Advanced Technical Studies
Gateway Think Tank
Dive into this interactive think tank where we will discuss pressing issues in each of the Gateway units. Quick paced round table discussions will be facilitated by Master Teachers and participants will have the opportunity to explore multiple units if desired.
Vanessa Stratton
Senior Director of Programs
Project Lead They Way
Vanessa is currently serves as Senior Director of Programs at Project Lead The Way. With ten years of teaching experience, over 3 years with PLTW, a B.A. in Biology from the University of Colorado, and a master’s degree in education from Regis University, Vanessa brings a wealth of expertise in instructional design, product design and development, and project management. Vanessa is credentialed in PLTW Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Gateway courses.
How Being a “PLTW Professional” Can Enhance Your School’s Program and Brand
How do you transform from teacher in the classroom to professional STEM educator? How can you enhance your leadership skills and out-of-school network to build industry engagement, influence policy makers, and grow your enrollment? How do you create your PLTW program brand in your building district as a sustainable and innovative force for STEM learning? This session answers these questions, and more.
Camille Sloan Schroeder
Affiliate Director
Iowa State University College of Engineering
Camille oversees Engineering K-12 Community Outreach for Iowa State University College of Engineering where she serves as the inaugural Director of Iowa FIRST LEGO League and Junior FIRST LEGO League as well as Affiliate Director of Project Lead The Way in Iowa.
Camille has worked for Iowa State building programs and serving in roles related to recruitment of first-year and transfer undergraduate students. She has extensive experience in leadership, program creation and implementation, working with community colleges, K-12 schools, faculty, administrators, teachers, parents and students as well as the private sector and donors through numerous initiatives. She volunteers time to community organizations, serves on her local school board, a statewide computer science committee, and has been appointed by the Governor to the North Central STEM Hub Advisory Board.
Kim Glenn
Director of School Engagement
Project Lead The Way
K-12 PLTW Launch to College
PLTW in a small town: In this session we will present how our vision to create meaningful and applicable learning for all students through stem education led us to create a viable, K-12 PLTW STEM program in just three years. We will speak about the why, the how, the future vision, as well as give information on the challenges, opportunities, and sustainability of the program.
Phil McAndrew
Principal
Gobles Middle-High School
Phil McAndrew is the Middle-High School principal at Gobles Middle-High School in Gobles, Michigan. Received his BA teaching degree from Western Michigan University and his MA degree from Western Michigan University in Educational Leadership. He has previous educational experience as a teacher, athletic administrator, assistant high school principal, middle school principal, and high school principal.
Jeffrey Rehlander
Superintendent of Schools
Gobles Public Schools
Jeff Rehlander is the Superintendent of Schools with the Gobles Public Schools in Gobles, Michigan. He has previous educational experience as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent in both urban and rural school settings.
Terry Breen
Principal
Gobles Elementary School
Terry Breen is the Gobles Elementary Principal. He received a BS and BA degree from Grand Valley State University in Biology and Psychology. He earned a MA degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. Terry has been the principal at Gobles for seven years. Prior to this, he was the K-12 principal at Leland Public Schools. He started his teaching degree at Hamilton Community Schools as a science teacher.
Bob Lisowski
Teacher
Gobles Middle-High School
Bob graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science and obtained a Master's in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College. His teaching experience consists of three years in the Peace Corps in Vanuatu, three years in Kansas, and 16 years in Gobles, Michigan. He is currently teaching Principles of Biomedical Sciences, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, Physics, and Middle School Science.
John O’Neil
Teacher
Gobles Middle-High School
John O’Neil has been teaching middle and high school mathematics and now engineering at Gobles for twenty years. He received his bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin and his master’s degree from Western Michigan University in mathematics education. The robotics club that he coaches is currently in its third season--the Gobles Voltage.
Becky Drayton
Teacher
Gobles Middle-High School
Becky graduated from Alma College with a Bachelor of Science (biology major, math minor). She also earned a Masters in Education from Marygrove College. She has taught math and science in Gobles for 23 years. She currently teaches 7th & 8th grade science, automation &robotics, and medical detectives.
Katy Sundling
Teacher
Gobles Elementary School
Katy Sundling is a second grade teacher at Gobles Elementary School. She is the elementary Science department lead teacher and the PLTW Launch Lead Teacher. Katy earned her BS degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University and earned a MA degree in Elementary Reading and Mathematics from Walden University. Prior to teaching at Gobles, she taught for six years in Buckeye, Arizona where she taught kindergarten.
Ketchup in the News: A Story of Unexpected Ineptitude
In 2014, PLTW teacher Brett Kisker got quite the shock when a seemingly innocuous story about a student Engineering Design and Development (EDD) project garnered national headlines. Brett has always aimed to expand his network of professional mentors, but he found that his vast pool of engineers suddenly turned out to be completely insufficient for the needs of his students. His students desperately needed immediate advice about things like intellectual property and business plans! And just how important is that engineering notebook? Brett will present on the wealth of knowledge he gained from this experience. Audience members will leave realizing the potential of EDD as a course; knowing why we shouldn’t tell students that they can’t pursue a problem; understanding how to connect students with STEM and business professionals; and equipped with a tale to share with students upon returning to the classroom.
Brett Kisker
Teacher
Liberty North High School
Brett has been teaching PLTW courses in the Kansas City area since 2007, including IED, POE, DE, and EDD. He focuses much of his time and attention on connecting his students to the professional STEM world and has steadily grown a network of professional affiliates to make this a reality. Brett was recently named as one of 10 STEM Educator Innovators by the Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition and is currently the Liberty Public Schools Teacher of the Year.
Linking the Core with the Engineering
Learn how PLTW brings real-world context and relevance to an interdisciplinary team via project-based learning. PLTW curriculum drives interdisciplinary projects with PLC core courses. Hear from instructors succeeding at designing and implementing projects at all grade levels at a high school in San Diego, by aligning courses in their Master Schedule that can create teams for linked learning with IED, POE, CEA, CIM and EDD. In addition, see how community and industry partnerships enhance projects and student outcomes.
Timothy Bingham
Master Teacher
Stanley E. Foster School of Engineering, Innovation and Design
Mr. Bingham’s prior experience in industry brings soft skills that are demanded by industry, such as allocation of resources, project planning, time management, and teamwork skills into the classroom while maintaining a balance of academic rigor focused on standards-based instruction. His strong grasp of the Project Lead the Way curriculum is evident in the ease in which he conducts his classes and the caliber of work demonstrated by the students. His stamp of excellence in teaching the Project Lead the Way can be seen in how it carries over into project based learning setting. Specifically, his students are well versed in the career disciplines of engineering and architecture and possess the necessary workplace skills to enter these fields after high school or college. Mr. Bingham is a natural leader, and this talent is manifested in a myriad of projects and responsibilities undertaken as part of his green architecture, CEA and EDD courses. With his vision and expertise, he has been instrumental in establishing relationships with staff, community and industry partners to provide all students with relevant, real world experiences that bridge the world of school and career.As a consummate collaborator, he has a great facility for establishing and maintaining a collegial relationship with his peers, who respect and value him. From collaborative efforts he has created interdisciplinary projects across content and grade levels that reinforce students’ skills making them very marketable. He has reached out to core content teachers to write curriculum and create opportunities for students to demonstrate the depth of knowledge they have gained through interdisciplinary projects. Mr. Bingham is a graduate of the University of Miami, School of Architecture with 17 years of industry experience. He has been a PLTW teacher since 2009 at the Stanley E. Foster School of Engineering, Innovation and Design in San Diego, CA and is a CEA Master Teacher for PLTW since 2013 where he provides on-going professional development to new and existing PLTW teachers at San Diego State University and core training instruction during the summer at SDSU and other universities across the nation.On February 19, 2015 at the annual PLTW California state conference, Timothy Bingham was named, and presented an award by Dr. Vince Bertram, PLTW President and CEO and Dr. Bruce Westermo, PLTW Affiliate Director at San Diego State University, as the Project Lead The Way California 2014-2015 Engineering Teacher of the Year.
Jessica Fitchel
Teacher
San Diego Unified School District
Ms. Frichtel has been teaching middle and high school for fifteen years in San Diego Unified School District. She has a Masters in Education and actively works on professional development to stay current. Ms. Frichtel teaches 9th grade English, AVID, Academic Language Development at Kearny High’s School of Engineering, Innovation and Design. She serves as Team Lead for 9th grade, Advisor for Ladies Leadership Program, English Dept. Chair, and Chair for the Instructional Leadership Team. Among her accomplishments Ms. Frichtel has been featured in teaching videos titled “Strategic Thinking” by Stenhouse Publishers and in a chapter in Heather Lattimer’s book Thinking Through Genre for her Editorial Unit of Study. Her collaboration with National Association of Women In Construction earned her an award as Executive of the Year in 2009. According to Glenn Hillegas, Executive Vice President of Associated General Contractors, “Ms. Frichtel is able to bring soft skills demanded by industry, such as the allocation of resources, project planning, time management, and teamwork skills into the classroom while maintaining a balance of academic rigor focused on standards-based instruction.” Ms. Frichtel was selected as a finalist for the 2010 – 2011 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
PLTW: Launching Into the Common Core
How can you use the enthusiasm and engagement of the PLTW Elementary Launch modules to increase reading comprehension and inspire students to meet the Common Core standards for non-fiction reading and writing? Using PLTW Launch modules as the foundation of language arts inspires students to read think critically as they read non-fiction text, research concepts and write with clarity.. As a result, students will expand their vocabulary and benefit from your differentiated instruction. This workshop will explore unlocking the potential of integrative thematic units of study using PLTW Launch Modules as the cornerstone of inquiry to support student inspired research.
Mary Hall
Teacher
Jackson Elementary School
APB-Preparing Young Learners for the Global Stage
Society charges educators with preparing even our youngest learners to be successful 21st century global citizens. Today, it’s important for students to have a working knowledge of the world around them, to be critical thinkers, and to work collaboratively to solve relevant real world problems. The Activities, Project, Problem based (APB) learning approach utilized in the Launch curriculum serves as a highly effective and versatile tool for engaging students in an authentic learning environment, presented at an appropriate grade level. You will see how the content of the Launch modules inspires students to solve real world problems and empowers them to become key players on a global stage.
Janine Flinton
Master Teacher
Presently I teach the PLTW Launch curriculum to Grades K through 4 and Fourth Grade Science at Galway Central School District in Galway, NY. I became a Launch Lead teacher in 2014 and am now a Launch Master Teacher.
I am the Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator for our school district and also facilitate the STEM after school program for our Elementary school. Prior to my career in education, I worked as a Site Planner for a Civil Engineering Firm in Rockville Maryland.
James Nair
Instructional Technologist, Master Teacher
Saratoga Springs City School District
James’ primary function in the Saratoga Springs City School District is to bring STEM education and Problem/Project based experiences to all elementary students. The ongoing goal is teaching students that solving real world problems requires collaboration, cooperation, and imagination. He acts as a resource to all elementary teachers and is a district professional development instructor. Jim has been a Project Lead The Way Master Teacher for LAUNCH and was the building level lead for the LAUNCH pilot in 2013-2014. He, along with a core of dedicated Master Teachers, currently trains new building level lead teachers to bring PLTW to their districts across the country.
Integrating PLTW with Gender Equity Initiatives
Gender parity in STEM interest drops dramatically as students approach secondary schooling. All educational stakeholders have an impact on students' decisions to pursue or not pursue STEM coursework. When trying to close the gender gap in adolescent STEM interest, our explicit or implicit assumptions about our students matter. Using both PLTW and a gender parity initiative like the Peer Alliance for Gender Equity, teachers, administrators, counselors, and STEM coordinators can all improve the ways in which they encourage girls and boys alike to pursue STEM coursework, STEM college work, and ultimately, STEM careers.
Matthew Bannerman
STEM Coordinator
Saydel Community School District
Mr. Bannerman is a veteran science teacher currently working as the STEM Master Teacher for Saydel Community School District in Des Moines, IA.
PLTW Model Increases Student Success & Enrollment
A PLTW program’s unique model has led to sustained growth and student success in the program over several years. Presenters from a technology center and partner high schools will discuss how they collaborated to create a common vision and implement expanded options to the design of their PLTW program. This model created three entry points for students to enter PLTW Engineering. This session will cover the topics of utilizing the power of the engineering teaching team, recruiting strategies, developing and maintaining relationships, having flexibility in core math and science offerings, and creating a shared vision.
Cole Atkinson
Pre-Engineering Coordinator
Moore Norman Technology Center
Cole Atkinson serves as the Pre-Engineering Coordinator for Moore Norman Technology Center. Mr. Atkinson has been an educator for 18 years as a teacher, advisor, recruiter, and facilitator. Currently as a Pre-Engineering coordinator he coordinates the PLTW Pre-Engineering program on five different campuses with eight teachers and over 350 students. Also, he serves as the liaison with partner schools, an academic advisor for students and plans and coordinates recruitment activities.
Innovative Ideas In Biomedical Instruction
The PLTW biomedical pathway provides an extraordinary opportunity to engage and empower students interested in STEM-related fields. Listen to and share ideas on how to personalize the biomedical studies curriculum by supplementing it with other innovative activities to meet the needs of your students. Listen to all three presenters discuss how they connect their prior experience in neuroscience, sports medicine, strength & conditioning, and coaching high school athletes to enhance their instruction.
Jeff Crapper
Teacher
Beaverton Health and Science School
Jeff Crapper is a Biology, Health and Health Sciences CTE teacher at Beaverton Health and Science School (HS2) in Beaverton, Oregon. He has been teaching for fifteen years, six of which include teaching PLTW courses. Jeff has a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Health Education with a Minor in Psychology from Linfield College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oregon State University. He is also a Registered Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC/R), Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Certified Personal Trainer (C-PT), and a National Board Certified Teacher (Early Adolescent- Science). He was instrumental in implementing the Engineering and Biomedical pathways at a small rural setting as well as rebuilding the Biomedical Studies program at his current high school, helping his school earn their PLTW certification within his first three months at the school. He enjoys finding ways to incorporate technology in his instruction as well as facilitating professional development opportunities for other teachers within the Beaverton School District in his role as a Studio Teacher.
David Valenzuela
Biomedical Sciences Teacher
Madison High School
I previously was a neuroscientist studying the molecular logic towards olfactory perception in the mammalian brain at Brown University. I feel fortunate for my experiences at Brown and now use my training in the Bio-Medical sciences to engage and empower my PLTW students to be leaders in the classroom and beyond.
Carlie Harris
Master Teacher
Beaverton Healthy and Science School
Carlie Harris is a Biology, Chemistry and PLTW Master Teacher at Beaverton Health and Science School in Beaverton, Oregon. She has been teaching for seven years, six of which were spent at a small rural high school in Mt. Angel, Oregon. Carlie has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish with a Minor in Biology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Willamette University. She has been instrumental in implementing the Engineering and Biomedical pathways in a small rural setting. She enjoys finding ways to incorporate technology in her instruction as well as championing PLTW and project based learning.
Constant Exposure – Ways to Lead Students into Content Mastery
In this workshop you will experience hands-on science content through a series of learning stations, easily replacing the traditional teaching methods of lecturing, reading, and testing. When teachers combine specific classroom science strategies in stations, they can easily differentiate their classroom and tier assignments to meet the needs of their students. In addition, students will increase their reading and writing skills as they work through the stations and the activities. Equally important, using stations in classrooms promotes real-world applications and best practices aligned to all of the STEM concepts.
Michelle Kirk
Regional Account Manager
VWR, International
Over the last 13 years, Michelle Kirk has had a few different roles in the educational field. She started out, teaching 6th grade science and went on to teach a variety of high school science courses, including Biology and Physical Science. During her time as a teacher, she also obtained her National Board Teacher Certification in Science, Gifted Endorsement, and M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision. Following this, she became the Science Supervisor for one of the top 100 school districts. She’s also been professionally trained in a variety of popular teaching strategies. One of her favorite parts of her career was coordinating and coaching students for local and state science competitions. Any free time, is spent traveling or on the water with her husband and young daughter.
Top 10 Best Practices...Tried and True
We all believe in best practices for the classroom, but what about best practices in the project based classroom—and how can we find those practices to use every day? Using the results of best practices used by three Gateway Master Teachers with years of experience in the PLTW/Gateway project based classroom, this session highlights practices that work. Among a variety of best practices presented you will hear about grading techniques using the Learning Management System that will help you save time, practicing the design process by linking the process to every lesson, and a great way to incorporate an environment to provide students an opportunity to practice real world work place skills. Finding new ideas and practices to implement in the project based classroom help create working classrooms where students can become independent and productive learners.
Lola Whitworth
Master Teacher
Dutch Fork Middle School
Lola Whitworth is a PLTW/Gateway Core Training Instructor who teaches at Dutch Fork Middle School near Columbia, South Carolina. She is certified in eight courses of the PLTW / Gateway program which she has taught for fifteen years. Working with the State Department and the University of South Carolina PLTW Affiliates, Whitworth has presented at counselor conferences and on-going trainings about her passion and best practices to enhance student learning. In 2012, her school was named one of the Top Model Schools in the nation by PLTW. In addition to teaching, Whitworth coaches VEX Robotics teams and was the only middle school in the state to compete in the VEX World Championship last year. She was an integral part of coordinating and hosting the first Palmetto State VEX Championship in 2013 and served as the event coordinator for the state championship in 2014. This year she is hosting the first Middle School only VEX Robotic Competition in South Carolina. A graduate of Clemson University, Whitworth obtained her master’s degree in Education at Central Wesleyan University and is a National Board Certified Teacher in Career and Technology. Along with two other Core Training Instructors, Whitworth shares experiences that have proven to be effective in a PLTW / Gateway project based classroom.
Renee Brooks
Teacher
West Oak Middle School
Renee Brooks has been teaching PLTW Gateway in Westminster, South Carolina since 2005 and currently teaches all Gateway middle school units. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, a M.Ed. in Secondary Education - Natural Sciences and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Ms. Brooks is a PLTW Professional Development Coach, Core Training Instructor for summer and winter trainings, and facilitator for the University of South Carolina’s ongoing trainings.
Matthew Backs
Master Teacher
Wilbur Wright Middle School
Project Lead The Way/Gateway to Technology- Master Teacher/ Introduction to Engineering Design Teacher.
Introducing Engineering to middle school level students in the areas of Introduction to Engineering Design (HS Credit for 8th grade), Design and Modeling, and Automation and Robotics as well as other areas of the Gateway curriculum. Focus on problem based and project based learning through the design process, building, programming (RobotC), CAD (Autodesk Inventor), and 3D printing.
The Sweet Success of Reverse Engineering Cupcakes
We discuss the concept of using cupcakes as a hook during the reverse engineering process. First, design a custom cupcake creation with the provided selection of food ingredients. Then, following the reverse engineering guidelines, measure and create a CAD model of your custom cupcake. Create a sample engineering notebook during this hands-on presentation. Laptops with CAD software are useful, but not required.
Ken Albert
Master Teacher
Niles West High School
Donald Whitman Esq.
Engineering Technology Building Leader, Master Teacher
Normal Community High School
IED Master Teacher since 2008 from Central Illinois.
Extending 3D Modeling in the Gateway Classroom, at Home, and in a Virtual Reality
Presenters will demonstrate efficient, effective use of Autodesk Inventor. The session will cover tips and tricks to ensure students’ success; how to “flip” the classroom to home using a cloud-based app, Tinkercad; and how to create a digital notebook using Microsoft One Note. Participants will also learn how to present objects in an augmented reality using the program Augment..
Rhonda Brown-Jones
Master Teacher
Todd Brockett
Master Teacher
St Joseph School District
Mr Brockett is a Gateway teacher in the St Joseph School District. He is a PLTW National Master Teacher. Mr. Brockett spent 10 years in private industry before becoming a teacher. He has had a paperless classroom for three years.
Strategies that empower ELL learners with PLTW
Working in a high-poverty community with predominantly monolingual Spanish speaking learners, we always search for researched based strategies to promote ELL learners. As a pilot school for PLTW we use GLAD strategies (Guided Language Acquisition and Design) to create units of study with the PLTW module as the unit theme. Adding Common Core Standards to align our units so that the PLTW modules are used cross curricula thought the school year is a work in progress for our school. K-5 uses backwards planning to provide all students, especially ELL students, the most powerful school experiences in STEM teaching.
Debbie Whitney
Principal & Instructional Leader
Garfield Elementary
Debbie Whitney graduated from Heritage University with a K- 12 Bilingual, ESL endorsement which prepared her for working in schools that have a high population of second language learners and high poverty. Shortly after, she received her Master’s in Professional Development from Heritage University. Debbie became one of the first Guided Acquisition Language by Design (GLAD) key trainers in the state of Washington. She trained teachers in her district and consulted with several school districts throughout the state. She spent 18 years as a classroom teacher in grades pre-K through 8th. During that time she had a deep interest in integrating technology into her classroom and was a recipient of $225,000.00 in grants that she co-wrote for her classroom, school and other districts.
Debbie earned her degree in administration and now finds great joy and satisfaction being the Garfield Elementary Principal and Instructional Leader. Supporting implementation of PLTW K-5 was a natural progression for her. Over the past two years she has helped and supported her K-5 staff to develop rigorous units that include, scaffold lessons, rich language, visuals, and GLAD strategies that assure all our learners are successful.
Janie Lopez
Master Teacher
Garfield Elementary
Janie Lopez is a Project Lead the Way teacher at Garfield Elementary and served as a Master Teacher for PLTW for the 2015-2016 sessions. She received her Master Degree in Educational Leadership and Organization from Heritage University in 2013. She has taught in Elementary Education for the past five years and has been GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition and Design) certified in both Preschool and Elementary GLAD. Her work with integrating PLTW thought the classroom and cross curriculum has led her to present at the Washington State PLTW conference as well as collaborations with many teachers thought the nation.
Engaging Science Students with Engineering Design
Engineering design is not just for PLTW classrooms! With the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards in more and more states across the country, many districts and schools adopt it as a regular part of science instruction. How can engineering design unleash students’ creativity for a more motivating and engaging classroom experience? Furthermore, how can teachers incorporate this process into an already jam-packed science curriculum? Learn how engineering design can energize your students in all science content areas in this interactive session, as you design and construct an innovative project to investigate Newton's Laws of Motion!
Kelly Garcia
Master Teacher
Los Alisos Middle School
Kelly is an eighth grade science and STEM magnet teacher at Los Alisos Middle School in Norwalk, CA. As a PLTW pioneer in her district, her efforts as a champion for PLTW has been instrumental in growth of the program throughout the district. Just as passionate about science education, she is also a key member of her district's NGSS implementation team. You can connect with Kelly on Twitter @mrsklgarcia.
Why Computer Science at the Elementary Level?
Students’ beliefs about their academic abilities begin to form early, shaping their career interests even before middle school. Yet, many students must wait until high school to experience one of the most rewarding, in-demand fields: computer science. Given an opportunity to experience authentic, problem-based computer science, students are often amazed to find that it’s about collaborating with others to solve real-world problems in creative ways. Weaving computing into the school day will benefit all students, especially traditionally underrepresented groups, because early exposure to computing breaks down stereotypes and opens doors for students to see it as an option for themselves. To that end, PLTW now offers a suite of K-5 computer science modules. Launch master teachers will present tools and content, discuss ties to national standards in core subjects, and share experiences from their classrooms. Participants will be inspired by student projects from across the K-5 spectrum.
Shaileen Pokress
Director of Instruction
Project Lead The Way
Shaileen Pokress, Director of Instruction at Project Lead The Way, develops computer science programs for K-12 students and teachers. Formerly the Director of Education for the App Inventor project at the MIT Media Lab, she developed programs that reached students of all ages around the globe. Prior to her work at MIT, Shaileen was Project Director for MSPnet, the online network of Math Science Partnerships funded by the National Science Foundation. Shaileen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Cornell University and a Master of Education degree from Harvard University.
Paul Schiele
Master Teacher
Russell Ranch Elementary School
Paul Schiele has been an elementary school teacher for 15 years and currently teaches fifth grade at Russell Ranch Elementary School, a California Distinguished School, in Folsom, California, while serving as the Launch lead for his district. He is a PLTW Launch Master Teacher and has been a Launch Pilot Lead Teacher for the computer science, engineering, and biomedical programs. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies, Elementary Education, with an emphasis in math, science and english from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California and his Master’s Degree/Administrative Credential in Educational Leadership from National University.
Kelly Wheeler
Master Teacher
Santa Rosa Academy
Kelly Wheeler has been an elementary school teacher for 15 years and currently is the K-12 Project Lead the Way/STEM Coordinator at Santa Rosa Academy, an Apple Distinguished School located in Menifee, California. She is a PLTW Launch Master Teacher who has been a Launch Pilot Lead Teacher for the computer science, engineering, and biomedical programs. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies, Elementary Education with an emphasis in Child Development from Concordia University in Irvine, California.
Leveraging the Senior Capstone Experience to Inspire Entrepreneurship
The senior capstone experience presents a unique opportunity for students to solve real-world problems, but it is often only an academic experience. This session presents a model for strategically supporting students and teachers with workshops and opportunities to connect with mentors and competitions to motivate and recognize students. It also includes an important link to the business community with an end-of-the-year workshop on entrepreneurship.
Ann Zimmerman
Industry Coordinator
KC STEM Alliance
Ann Zimmerman has supported the work of non-profits for over 25 years. Currently, she provides consulting expertise in the areas of strategic planning and marketing, program development, event management, fundraising and governance. She is a skilled facilitator, problem solver and communicator and thrives on building consensus and moving organizations forward. In 2011, she was part of the planning team to develop the KC STEM Alliance and has helped that organization grow to serve thousands of students in the KC metro area. She also works closely with Support KC and Non-profit Connect to offer board training and strategic planning services to improve the quality of Kansas City area non-profits. Prior to her work as a consultant, Ann served as Executive Director for Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City and provided strategic planning and leadership development support for the Sisters of Charity Health System. Ann holds a bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy and Master’s in Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas.
Funding 4 Project Based Learning
Do you have trouble acquiring or maintaining the needed materials for lessons? Learn how to easily find funding and goods for your classroom, utilizing funding databases, local resources, and Web tools. Find out about funding sources that take less than 30 minutes to write. Learn to establish local community relationships for ongoing funding and classroom help. Create a community-supported classroom with ease. Let's get started today!
Debra Krikourian
STEM/CTE Co-Lead Teacher
Folsom Cordova Unified School District
Debbie Krikourian is currently a STEM/CTE Co-Lead Teacher for Folsom Cordova Unified School District. She also teaches at Sutter Middle School in the STEM Academy. During the summer months, she is a GTT Master Teacher for the Specialization units. Debbie graduated with her master's degree in education with an emphasis in instructional technology from San Jose State University. Before her twenty eight years in education, she was an area manager for Macy's California. She grew up in Bishop, CA, but currently resides in El Dorado Hills, CA with her husband, Rob. She has two daughters in college, Krista and Rachel.
Patricia Deibart
STEM Coordinator
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Patricia J. Deibert is currently a STEM Coordinator at Milwaukee School of Engineering. She serves as the Associate Affiliate Director for PLTW BMS and Launch. Patricia is a former Chemistry and Biology teacher. She is a Teacher Leader for the American Chemical Society and served as an adjunct instructor for the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay and Cardinal Stritch University where she taught SMART Board Basics and Beyond the Basics. Patricia graduated with an undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry education from the University of Edinboro (PA) and a master’s degree in educational computing from Cardinal Stritch University (WI). Patricia proudly served her country in the US Army in the Quartermaster Corp as a Mortuary Officer and later worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative and field trainer before entering the field of science education. She hales from Pennsylvania, but has lived for the past twenty-five years in Sheboygan Falls, WI with her husband, Scott and son, Jonathan..
Counselor Super Heroes: With Great Power comes Great Responsibility
The professional school counselor role is critical to the success and sustainability of your PLTW program. This session will speak to school counselors, as well as anyone involved in a PLTW program at a school, to discuss how those influential staff members have a lot of power and responsibility in guiding all students to STEM. We'll share ways to talk about STEM with young people and parents, as well as considerations for school schedules and engagement with PLTW teachers to ensure knowledge of curriculum is shared.
Camille Sloan Schroeder
Affiliate Director
Iowa State University College of Engineering
Camille oversees Engineering K-12 Community Outreach for Iowa State University College of Engineering where she serves as the inaugural Director of Iowa FIRST LEGO League and Junior FIRST LEGO League as well as Affiliate Director of Project Lead The Way in Iowa.
Camille has worked for Iowa State building programs and serving in roles related to recruitment of first-year and transfer undergraduate students. She has extensive experience in leadership, program creation and implementation, working with community colleges, K-12 schools, faculty, administrators, teachers, parents and students as well as the private sector and donors through numerous initiatives. She volunteers time to community organizations, serves on her local school board, a statewide computer science committee, and has been appointed by the Governor to the North Central STEM Hub Advisory Board.
High School Computer Science: Why Creativity Matters
PLTW high school computer science courses, like all PLTW courses, employ problem-based learning, inviting students to define authentic problems and then work collaboratively to solve them in creative ways. Participants in this session will hear from high school master teachers in computer science who have worked with a broad range of students on a wide variety of projects.Computer science inspires problem-based learning because it encourages both boundless creativity and imagination from those engaged in it. PLTW computer science appeals to a broad community of learners. Students discover that applying computing in the real world leads to exciting, relevant and satisfying work that affects the people around them.. Prepare to be inspired!
Shaileen Pokress
Director of Intruction
Project Lead The Way
Shaileen Pokress, Director of Instruction at Project Lead The Way, develops computer science programs for K-12 students and teachers. Formerly the Director of Education for the App Inventor project at the MIT Media Lab, she developed programs that reached students of all ages around the globe. Prior to her work at MIT, Shaileen was Project Director for MSPnet, the online network of Math Science Partnerships funded by the National Science Foundation. Shaileen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Cornell University and a Master of Education degree from Harvard University.
Nathan Nolte
Technology and Engineering Instructor
Fox Valley Lutheran High School
Nathan Nolte is a Technology and Engineering Instructor at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, Wisconsin and serves as the Director of the FVL STEM Academy. He has taught several PLTW courses and is a Master Teacher for Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE). Outside the classroom Nathan serves as the advisor for the FVL VEX Robotics Team and the Commissioner for the Fox Valley VEX Robotics League. He also currently sits on the PLTW Wisconsin State Leadership Team.
Bennett Brown
Director of Instruction
Project Lead The Way
Bennett Brown is Director of Instruction for Computer Science at Project Lead The Way. He taught for 15 years at DuSable High School in the Chicago Public Schools and at Solon High School in Iowa. He earned a B.S. in Physics from M.I.T. and a M.S. in Physics from the University of Iowa. He led the development of PLTW’s high school computer science pathway as a curriculum writer for Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE) and Introduction to Computer Science (ICS).
Carol Kinnard
Associate Director of Instruction
Project Lead The Way
Carol Kinnard is Associate Director of Instruction for Computer Science at Project Lead The way. She has been instrumental in building PLTW’s curriculum for AP Computer Science A. Prior to joining PLTW, she spent 11 years in the classroom teaching computer science and technology. Carol piloted a variety of courses for her district including PLTW’s AP CS Principles and ICS courses and the traditional AP Computer Science A course. Before becoming a teacher, Carol was a software engineer in and around Silicon Valley.
Angelica Gunderson
Science & PLTW Teacher
Los Alisos Middle School
Angelica has taught elementary school as well middle school science for the last ten years. This is her fourth year teaching Project Lead the Way. She currently teaches at Los Alisos Middle School in Norwalk, CA. Angelica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Master of Science in Science Education from the California State University of Long Beach.
Montour School District's Implementation Journey
The Montour School District began its journey with PLTW ten years ago, with the implementation of Introduction to Engineering. We are now the first in the State of Pennsylvania to graduate students who completed the full Biomedical Sciences Program. Implementing the Gateway and Launch programs in its middle and elementary schools, along with six engineering courses at the high school level, Montour’s STEM Education leads by example in western Pennsylvania. Please join in this panel discussion with members of the school district's administrative team, IED, Launch Master Teachers, and Engineering and Biomedical Sciences Teachers to learn more about their PLTW implementation journey.
Todd Price
Principal
Montour School District/Montour High School
Presenter Biography: Mr. Todd M. Price began his work in education while completing his undergraduate studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Throughout his career, he has been afforded the opportunity to work with children and teachers from all levels of education, elementary through high school. While attending Temple, Todd had the opportunity to do extensive field work within inner-city Philadelphia. These experiences paved the way for what has proven to be a wonderful journey in both teaching and school administration.
Mr. Price received a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education from Temple University and went on to teach for five years in the School District of Philadelphia. While teaching at John Wister Elementary/Middle School, he attained a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. He holds Pennsylvania certifications in Elementary Education, Supervision of Curriculum and Instruction and School Administration.
In July 2007, Mr. Price was appointed to the position of Principal at Montour High School and Director of the Montour Alternative Program in the Montour School District. Prior to being named Principal, he served as the Assistant Principal at David E. Williams Middle School, also in the Montour School District. Prior to arriving in the district he was employed by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit in the Math and Science Collaborative.
It is his passion for his students and their futures that motivates and inspires Todd. When asked what the best part of being the Principal at Montour High School is the answer is always the same. “Our students!”
Todd’s personal interests include spending time with family and friends, boating, running and traveling. He presently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his wife, Jill, son, Brayden, and two daughters, Brinley and Brianna.
Amanda Mascellino
Master Teacher
Nick Terpack
Technology and Engineering Teacher, Master Teacher
Montour School District
Nick Terpack is currently teaching Technology Education and Engineering classes at Montour High School located just outside of Pittsburgh, PA in Robinson Township. He received his B.S. in Technology Education from California University of Pennsylvania along with his PA Department of Ed. certification in K-12 Tech. Ed. in 2000, and his M.S. in Professional Studies with concentrations in PLTW, and Library and Information Science in 2010. He has been teaching Tech. Ed. since 2000 and joined the PLTW network in 2005. He has been an Introduction to Engineering and Design (IED) master teacher since 2008 and is also certified in POE, DE, CEA, and EDD.
Arduino PD training and tips/tricks/best practices for DE
PLTW introduced the Arduino microcontroller into our DE curriculum last year. This device is robust, easy to use, fun, and has an amazing community. This session will briefly introduce the Arduino, go through suggestions for use in the classroom, and show some fun enrichment possibilities with this digital electronic learning tool.
Michael Karasch
Master Teacher
William Fremd High School
Increasing Student Engagement
Increase student engagement using the Inquiry/Discovery Matrix for lesson design! We instruct you in the use of the Inquiry/Discovery Matrix and examine and discuss modifications to sample lessons leading to increasing the level of student engagement/participation in project-based activities. This session will introduce the use of the Inquiry/Discovery Matrix as a tool for PLTW instructors to examine their lessons. Such adjustments allow for students to address problems the way practicing engineers would.
Dr. William Priestley
Teacher
Cosmo Dilegro
Master Teacher
The Synergy of teaching EDD and BI concurrently
The PLTW capstone courses are one of the greatest experiences you can give to your students. Unfortunately, the courses are often cancelled due to small class sizes, FTE concerns, etc. A great answer? Teach them concurrently. This collaboration provides a rich environment for cross-curriculum collaboration, furthers opportunities for students to explore careers, and facilitates teaming on shared projects. I will share some of the opportunities, challenges, and outcomes from various classes using this synergistic scheduling.
Terri Tessmann
Master Teacher
Terri Tessmann has been involved in PLTW for many years, teaching in the Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and Computer Science pathways at various grade levels. She is a Master Teacher for Medical Interventions, Biomedical Innovations and Introduction to Computer Sciences. She has started PLTW programs in multiple cities (all three paths), and as become a requested program starter for multiple school districts. She also presents annually at the WI and IL State PLTW conferences and other Professional conferences. She has piloted multiple courses for PLTW, as well as worked on the curriculum and assessment writing teams
The Road to Success is Paved with Capstones - Beginning in Biomed
Designing and implementing student capstones in PLTW Biomedical Science can be a daunting prospect to a teacher new to the process. Where should you begin? How do you facilitate the student brainstorming phase to encourage an elevation in their thinking? How do you manage multiple student projects? How do you know if the project idea is even good enough to be considered a capstone? We will share our different experiences with capstones: one in an urban setting with access to nearby resources and the other in a rural setting without them. Join us for a presentation, brainstorming activity, and discussion.
Terri Tessmann
Master Teacher
Terri Tessmann has been involved in PLTW for many years, teaching in the Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and Computer Science pathways at various grade levels. She is a Master Teacher for Medical Interventions, Biomedical Innovations and Introduction to Computer Sciences. She has started PLTW programs in multiple cities (all three paths), and as become a requested program starter for multiple school districts. She also presents annually at the WI and IL State PLTW conferences and other Professional conferences. She has piloted multiple courses for PLTW, as well as worked on the curriculum and assessment writing teams
Lori Lovett
Biomedical Science Instructor, Master Teacher
Red River Technology Center
Lori Lovett is a biomedical science instructor at Red River Technology Center in Duncan, Oklahoma, a position she has held since 2007 after she was hired to build one of the first PLTW Biomedical Sciences programs in the nation. She has trained and taught in all four PLTW courses as well as AP Biology, Physics, Zoology and Anatomy/Physiology. She has participated on multiple PLTW committees, as a curriculum contributor for Medical Interventions and Biomedical Innovation, and has been a Master Teacher in MI beginning in 2009. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA. Her industry experience ranges from medical research in Arthritis and Immunology at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation to managing field safety studies for a major pharmaceutical company. She has also been involved with the quality assurance aspects of clinical trials including data audit and data verification following federal guidelines.
Digital Fabrication in the Classroom
In this interactive session, we engage you in an example digital fabrication project you can integrate into a PLTW unit lesson. Using the digital fabrication equipment is interactive, fun and engaging for all ages - a must try! We will create scenarios for teachers, students, administrators, and other personnel interested in the new and upcoming world of digital fabrication.
Caroline McEnnis
Senior STEM consultant and Director of Design Engineering
TIES
Caroline McEnnis is a Senior STEM consultant and Director of Design Engineering for TIES. Caroline received her bachelor's of science in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, her master's in Materials Science and Engineering and will be receiving a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering in 2012 from Johns Hopkins University where she has received several awards including a NSF GK-12 Fellowship. While at MIT, Caroline worked at the MIT Media Lab where she worked on the initial Fab Lab project, and therefore Caroline also is the TIES liaison to the US Fab Lab Network and Fab Foundation. Prior to joining TIES, Caroline also worked with the Johns Hopkins School of Education and in Baltimore area schools to train teachers in the development and implementation of STEM based curricula. She has also worked with community partners to develop and run several large and small-scale educational programs, including working with the National Federation of the Blind to run a STEM summer camp for 200 blind high school students. At TIES, Caroline applies her engineering experience to STEM Network design, development of design driven education, and education oriented Fab Lab development and deployment.
What is Environmental Sustainability (ES)?
PLTW-Engineering Pathway’s newest course: Environmental Sustainability (ES). In ES, students investigate and design solutions in response to real-world challenges related to clean and abundant drinking water, food supply issues, and renewable energy. Applying their knowledge through hands-on activities and simulations, students research and design potential solutions to these true-to-life challenges. Please join us to engage in the following topics: (1) What is ES?(2) Design, Build and Test a water filter system(3) How to promote ES in the schools throughout your state.
Tracy Swedlund
Master Teacher
Medford Area Senior High
Medford Area Senior High
Medford, WI
Courses Taught: PLTW ES, PLTW EDD, AP Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, and Honors Biology
NBPTS certified
PLTW Master Teacher: ES
BA: Western State Colorado University
MS: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Jennifer Klecatsky
Biology/Environmental Sustainability Teacher
Brainerd High School
Jennifer Klecatsky is a teacher in Brainerd, MN (2.5 hours north of Minneapolis). Ms. Klecatsky holds degrees in biology and zoology as well as a Masters in Educational Leadership. She has been teaching since 2001 and enjoys working with all types of students, inspiring them to pursue careers in STEM-related fields. Ms. Klecatsky is married to golf professional, Chuck Klecatsky. They have two children, Jada, age 11, and Jagger, age 9. Ms. Klecatsky enjoys yoga, paddle boarding and travel as well as breeding miniature dachshunds.
Code Like a Kindergartener
Computer science in kindergarten through fifth grade? How does that work? Come to this hands-on session to find out! Beginning with “unplugged” activities, then moving to programming on tablets, instructional designers and master teachers will lead you through engaging computer science activities as experienced by PLTW K-5 Launch students. You will learn how to build games and animations with ScratchJr and Tynker, the blocks-based programming tools used in Launch. Through this hands-on exploration, you will gain new appreciation for the impact computer science has at the elementary level. Participants are encouraged to bring an Android or iPad tablet, but we will loan a limited number of devices. Limited to 30 participants.
Shaileen Pokress
Director of Instruction
Project Lead The Way
Shaileen Pokress, Director of Instruction at Project Lead The Way, develops computer science programs for K-12 students and teachers. Formerly the Director of Education for the App Inventor project at the MIT Media Lab, she developed programs that reached students of all ages around the globe. Prior to her work at MIT, Shaileen was Project Director for MSPnet, the online network of Math Science Partnerships funded by the National Science Foundation. Shaileen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Cornell University and a Master of Education degree from Harvard University.
Karine Laidley
Director of Instruction
Project Lead The Way
Karine Laidley is a Director of Instruction at Project Lead the Way. Karine has authored curricula for elementary, middle school, and high school computer science courses for PLTW. Prior to joining PLTW, Karine worked as a middle school CS teacher and Robotics and other CS after-school clubs advisor for 5 years. Before becoming a teacher, Karine was a software engineer for 12 years. Karine holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from Lebanese American University.
Did You Say 5th Graders Get To Build Robots?
Are you a teacher or administrator who is just getting started with the PLTW Launch Robotics and Automation modules and want to know more? If so, this session is for you! We introduce you to the overall structure of the 5th grade Robotics and Automation modules. In addition, you get to explore the 3D Inventor Publisher software using an iPad®, experience the PLTW APB approach through hands-on activities, learn successful tips and tricks in the classroom and ask your burning questions.
Stephanie Valli
Master Teacher
My name is Stephanie Valli and I have been an educator for over 17 years. I was a third grade teacher for 7 years and then a Science Specialist for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade for 4 years. Following those experiences, I became a Curriculum Coordinator K-12 and have held that position for the last 6 years. Through my work as a Curriculum Coordinator I became a PLTW Launch Lead Teacher and then a Launch Master Teacher. Over the last 2 years I have facilitated the implementation of Launch for all of our elementary buildings.
Mathematical Modeling Across Disciplines OR Mathematical Modeling - an Integral Part of STEM
Mathematical modeling attempts to describe things that happen in the real world with mathematics, and to address real-world scientific, social, environmental and financial questions. Mathematical models approximate phenomena using mathematical structures such as graphs, equations or algorithms. Mathematical modeling is a pillar of science and engineering, is necessary in both theoretical analysis and in experimentation, and is a critical tool in problem solving. We also use mathematical models in contexts that on the surface seem distinctly non-mathematical.. With an increase in technological tools to support mathematical modeling comes an increased educational emphasis on mathematical modeling and problem solving. This workshop will introduce a process for developing mathematical models and application examples of their development across disciplines.
Deb Calvin
Director of Instruction
Project Lead The Way
Senior Director of Instruction at PLTW, Prior high school math and PLTW Teacher. Master Teacher for CEA, Civil Engineer. MA in teaching secondary mathematics, MS and BS in Civil Engineering.
Orthopaedics In Action
Biomechanics represents a unique learning opportunity to teach core mechanics concepts through the lens of anatomy and medicine, which may be more relatable to all students, but particularly underrepresented groups in STEM. Orthopaedics In Action (OIA) is a set of standalone, hands-on lessons for middle and high school classrooms that are NGSS aligned and blend well with PLTW engineering and biomedical science curriculum. This workshop will introduce OIA lessons, provide strategies for classroom implementation, and present preliminary evaluative data on OIA effectiveness with students and teachers.
Amy Tauth-Nare
Affiliate Director
University of Delaware
Dr. Amy Trauth-Nare is an Associate Director for Teacher Education and Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Delaware. A botanist by training, Dr. Trauth-Nare taught STEM at the high school level before completing her PhD in science education at Indiana University. Dr. Trauth-Nare serves as the Affiliate Director for PLTW at University of Delaware and conducts a wide range of STEM professional development for the Delaware K12 STEM teacher community.
Jenni Buckley
State Leader
University of Delaware
Jenni Buckley is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Delaware. She teaches mechanical design and was integral to forming the new Design Studio space on campus. Her research efforts focus on medical device design, particularly in orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and simulation. Dr. Buckley is also the co-founder and executive director of The Perry Initiative, a non-profit that inspires women to pursue careers in underrepresented areas of engineering and medicine, and she is the Delaware State Leader for Project Lead The Way.
Active Recruiting: Get Girls into CS & Engineering
As high school teachers of computer science and engineering, we all know of the exciting careers available for our students. However, we rarely recruit female students into our classes to get them started in those careers, perhaps due to misconceptions and a sense that girls do not belong. This workshop provides a useful, usable structure and resources for developing plans and messages to attract girls into high school CS and engineering classes. Through brief lectures and hands-on activities, You will learn to create successful approach to attract girls and keep track of their results, using free, research-based resources from the National Center for Women & IT.
Lecia Barker
Associate Professor
University of Texas at Austin
Lecia Barker is an Associate Professor in the School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin and a Senior Research Scientist for the National Center for Women & Information Technology. Lecia conducts and communicates research on attracting, retaining, and advancing groups underrepresented in STEM. Her studies focus on attracting women into educational programs, social climate, identity/belonging, adoption of teaching and curricular practices, and sustainable organizational change.
College and Career
Add Some Sizzle to STEM: Transforming education through K-16 Collaboration
Do your students see themselves in a STEM career? Do they get a chance to get hands-on experience? As more STEM jobs come open – and go unfilled – we need to inspire the next generation with real-world, hands-on activities. We will help you add some sizzle to your STEM program through a live case example of how Purdue Polytechnic addressed this challenge by integrating STEM and Liberal arts classes. Learn how the PLTW curriculum aligns with many career paths for students and uncover resources to continue to create student success models.
Daphene Koch
Affiliate Director
Purdue University
Terri Schulz
Senior Director of School Engagement
Project Lead The Way
Girls and STEM
What is the source of the STEM gender gap, and what can teachers do to help? I will share results of research on this gap, conducted during my all-girls engineering course this year and supported by current and relevant academic research. The 25-year gender gap in engineering endures, almost without change, while the gap in computer sciences is getting larger. Recent research into the "leaky pipeline" of women in STEM fields suggests that girls make career plans before college. Thus, we must reach girls and help them to realize their potential during their elementary, middle and high school years.
Mariel Kolker
Teacher
Morristown High School
Mechanical Engineer; MBA Finance; Secondary Teacher of Physics, Nanoscale Science & Engineering, Principles of Engineering
Higher Education's Impact and Expectations
A panel of experts from Oklahoma State University College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) will cover expectations for incoming higher education students. The session will delve into PLTW’s impact on students pursuing higher education, as well as those entering the workforce. In addition, the session will review the complete cycle/pipeline of PLTW and show the impact of PLTW Professional Development on students’ college and career readiness.
Brandy Mays
Affiliate Director
Oklahoma State University
Brandy Mays is the Affiliate Director for Oklahoma State University, Assistant Manager of OSU College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology (CEAT) Professional Development Department. Coordinated, managed, and directed all OSU Core Training and outreach efforts since 2010. Worked with OSU CEAT Professional Development and Outreach for 20 years. Worked in all areas of Fire Protection, Loss Control, Safety, Engineering, Healthcare Preparedness, STEM k-12 outreach, including PLTW.
John Nazemetz
Associate Professor
Oklahoma State University
OSU CEAT Associate Professor
OSU Affiliate Professor - Introduction to Engineering Design 2005-Present
Areas of Interest:
Computer-aided manufacturing
Robotics
Coalition in support of the aviation sector (CASI)
Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
Academic Qualifications:
Ph.D., Lehigh University 1978
B.S., Industrial Engineering, w/Honors Lehigh University 1973
Professional Experience:
Associate Professor, School of Industrial Engineering and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1982-Present
Assistant Professor, School of Industrial Engineering and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1978-1982.
Selected Publications and Paper Presentations:
Co-Author, Introduction to Industrial and Systems Engineering - Third Edition with Wayne C. Turner, Joe H. Mize, and Ken E. Case, Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1993.
Principle Author, Introduction to Industrial and Systems Engineering - Workbook, with Wayne C. Turner, Joe H. Mize, and Ken E. Case, Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1993.
Associate Editor, Computers and Industrial Engineering: An International Journal, published quarterly by Pergamon Press, Elmsford, New York.
Co-Editor, Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems: Selected Readings, with William E. Hammer, Jr., and Randy Sadowski, Industrial Engineering & Management Press, Atlanta, Georgia, c1985.
Ed Kirtley
Assistant Dean
Oklahoma State University
Raman Singh
Associate DeanOklahoma State University
Empowering Next Generation Leaders Through the HOSA–PLTW Partnership
You will identify key elements for integrating HOSA–Future Health Professionals instructional strategies into the PLTW Biomedical Science program. Evidence suggests students who are focused on finding the “right” responses have enhanced creativity and problem-solving abilities and are motivated to learn. Through this collaboration, HOSA members and PLTW students apply academic and technical knowledge, develop leadership skills, and expand career awareness opportunities in health and biomedical science professions. Learn how successfully affiliating a HOSA chapter and fully implementing HOSA strategies can add powerful engagement for your students and provide a successful recruitment tactic for your PLTW BMS program!
Nancy Allen
Associate Director
HOSA-Future Health Professionals
Professional background of over twenty-eight (28) years productive and successful experience in career and technical and secondary health science education with proven competence in all phases of program and classroom management, curriculum development, health science career cluster implementation, career and technical student organization integration: HOSA–Future Health Professionals, and professional development and training for new and experienced career and technical (CTE) teachers, administrators and career guidance specialists.
Stimulating Engagement in Bio Med Science: New Activities from ANATOMY IN CLAY® Learning System
Get hands-on at our ANATOMY IN CLAY® Learning System Workshop during the Summit! You will build parts of the human body using modeling clay and MANIKEN® models, and in doing so, experience cause and effect, problem-solving skills, and ways of teaching to all learning styles. This innovative system embodies a pedagogy of collaborative teaching, with both peers and instructors alike. Our workshops combine PLTW disciplines that meet and exceed the current Human Body Systems Curriculum. We allow students to learn and love science like never before. "The Mind Cannot Forget What the Hands have Learned."™
April Albrecht
Director of Marketing
Zahourek Systems, Inc./ANATOMY IN CLAY® Learning System
PLTW in the Community
Economic Development with PLTW partner success in a small rural Kansas community
Fluency in STEM subjects and their practical application help students understand the world around them and solve problems through critical thinking, discovery, and innovation. In Kansas, as in states all over the nation, need better public-private partnerships to build STEM literacy and 21st century skills in the workforce. Through USD 465, Winfield Economic Development (WED), and local business and industry partnerships, one small Kansas community built a $600,000 STEM Center for Innovation where students, community members, and industries are part of a STEM collaboration for global leadership. The center took a transformational approach to help eliminate the distance between the classroom and the real world. In this session, you’ll hear how the community achieved success by improving their teaching of STEM courses, by collaborating with business and industry partners, and by connecting students with real world and project-based learning experiences.
Carey Lybarger
Teacher
Winfield High School
Carey has been in education for 19 years teaching for Cowley College, Wichita Area Technical College, Wichita State University, Oxford High School, Winfield High School and Winfield Middle School. She received her Bachelors of Science in Mathematical Theory and Physics from Southwestern College, her secondary teaching endorsement from Wichita State University, and her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Wichita State University. She is the Director for the Center for Innovation, the new STEM collaboration classroom at Winfield High School where she teaches Project Lead the Way Engineering courses for Winfield High School (IED, POE, DE, AE, CEA, EDD) and middle school (AR, GA, EE). She also teaches mathematics for Wichita Area Technical College. She has been involved in the SkillsUSA Organization for six years where she has had five engineering teams qualify for Nationals, she has had 6 state officers. She has served on the SkillsUSA State Board for one year and was director of the Fall Leadership Conference for one year. Carey has also held many leadership positions within her district, community, and state. She is also an advocate for STEM education being taught at every level K-12.
The New Generation of STEM - The Development of a STEM Program: Today’s Students are Tomorrow’s Innovators
From Costa Rica to Iceland, STEM programs continue to increase their dedication to make their schools globally competitive while preparing students for the competitive job market. Step inside our world to see how a PLTW STEM program was launched, how it grew and how it developed a major partnership. Look inside of the Pickerington Biomedical Science program and how we got the opportunity to design and build a classroom inside of The OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus. The discussion will include the importance of branding strategy and creating a buzz in your community. Learn about the student opportunities and the importance of relying on student leadership to generate ideas. Join us to discuss why some STEM programs are gaining STEAM.
Andy Harris
STEM Coordinator
Pickerington Local School District
My name is Andy Harris and I live in Pickerington, Ohio. I am the Biomedical Science Coordinator for Pickerington Local School District teaching grades 11 and 12. I was an integrated science teacher but three years ago I started our school district's Biomedical Science STEM program. Our Biomedical Science program has grown from 78 students and me 4 years ago to over 500 students (grades 7-12) leading into the 2015-2016 school year. Our Biomedical Science Program received National certification from PLTW this past year. We have partnered with OhioHealth allowing us to build our own 2,000 square foot Biomedical Science room in the OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus Hospital I took high school students to a global Summit in Costa Rica this past March where Jane Goodall was the keynote speaker (I was a presenter). In March of 2016 I am taking students to a Global Summit in Iceland for Energy Sustainability (I am a presenter).
Preparing Students with Summer Camps
How do you prepare incoming students for the rigors of and perspective provided by the PLTW curriculum? Why not start before the school year even begins? A summer orientation camp for incoming freshmen is a great way for students to settle into the program, learn lab skills, practice PLTW conventions, and even have an early exposure to the real-world career connections of the PLTW curriculum.
Joshua Clemmer
Teacher
Bel Air School
Joshua Clemmer is the Lead Teacher of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program and the Science Department Chairperson at Bel Air School in Bel Air, MD. In addition to teaching Biomedical Innovation, he also teaches Earth Science, Marine Science, and Geohazards Engineering. Joshua enjoys striving to keep his teaching on the cutting edge of technology and available resources. BAHS has been recognized as a PLTW National Model School and as an Outstanding Secondary CTE Program for the state of Maryland. The school has been involved with PLTW since the inception of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. BAHS currently accommodates approximately 250 students and claims over 200 graduates of the program.
Michael Burke
Teacher
Bel Air High School
Michael Burke began his career by being named a "Teacher of Promise" by the Maryland State Department of Education in 2009. Since then he has been the Director of Technology and Multimedia as well as a HBS and BI teacher at Bel Air High School. Michael prides himself on the myriad of technical and productivity skills that his students develop while in his classes. BAHS has been recognized as a PLTW National Model School and as an Outstanding Secondary CTE Program for the state of Maryland. The school has been involved with PLTW since the inception of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. BAHS currently accommodates approximately 250 students and claims over 200 graduates of the program.
Erica Harris
Assistant Principal
Bel Air High School
Erica Harris is an assistant principal at Bel Air High School in Bel Air, MD. She was instrumental in bringing the PLTW Biomedical Sciences program to BAHS and has been the administrator in charge for the entirety of the 8 years in which the program has existed. Erica is a grant writing specialist who secures the funding necessary for the program to be successful. She fully supports her teachers in all of their endeavors and facilitates the innovative ideas that the BAHS program is constantly implementing. BAHS has been recognized as a PLTW National Model School and as an Outstanding Secondary CTE Program for the state of Maryland. The school has been involved with PLTW since the inception of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. BAHS currently accommodates approximately 250 students and claims over 200 graduates of the program.
Seeing the Future: Engaging Students
Engaging and retaining urban students in engineering and science courses requires a roadmap. This session will focus mainly on the role mentorship plays in the classroom, and one school’s journey introduced this system into a freshman classroom and continuing through senior year. We discuss and outline successes and failures, and investigate successful PLTW programs and classes from other schools and district.
Christopher Wyant
Lead PLTW Teacher
Wichita High School
I currently teach IED, POE, and EDD at Wichita High School East in Wichita, KS. I have been a teacher for 8 years and I have been teaching PLTW for 4 years. We just graduated our first PLTW senior class at East High School.
I work in the largest high school in the state of Kansas with an enrollment of approximately 2200 students. We have very good diversity in our school with 32% white, 18% African American, 29% Hispanic, 20% other. Our school also has a 70% economically disadvantaged student population.
Numbers aside, I truly enjoy working with such a diverse student group and have had great success in enabling students to pursue higher education as well as job opportunities after high school. I look forward to sharing the how and why of our model here at East. I hope in sharing this model others will have the same success we are having for our PLTW students.
21st Century Skills: PLTW and Community Outreach
Learn how to use the PLTW curriculum to engage students in the 21st century skills of critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and leadership, adaptability and agility, initiative and entrepreneurship, effective oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information, and finally curiosity and imagination. You will see how students master the content knowledge AND develop the important 21st century skills needed for success in careers outside of the classroom. We allow you to experience firsthand lessons students have created utilizing PLTW curriculum and how they took these lessons to a new level of understanding and engagement.
Lori Egan
Master Teacher
Northglenn High School
Lori Egan has been teaching science at Northglenn High School since 2006. During that time she has taught a variety of courses including the following: chemistry, college preparatory chemistry, AP chemistry, anatomy and physiology, ecology, forensic science, biology, and is currently a Project Lead the Way master teacher for the PLTW course, Human Body Systems. In addition to her teaching duties Lori is the instructional leader for the science department and is a member of the chemistry common course team for the Adams 12 school district.
Lori has a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University in Exercise and Sports Science – Pre-med concentration, and a Master of Science in Science Education degree from Montana State University. Prior to her teaching career, Lori worked for the Colorado Ballet for twelve years where she was the Coordinator of Dance Medicine and Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). She oversaw the injury care, evaluation, rehabilitation, and backstage injury care and management for the international company of professional ballet dancers.
Clinical Internships for Biomedical Sciences
Internships provide seniors in the PLTW BMS capstone course Biomedical Innovations the opportunity to use the sequential knowledge gained from the BMS Pathway and observe how the learning from the classroom transfers into the workforce. Working with industry and community, PLTW BMS allows teachers to collaborate with industry and establish meaningful long-term relationships to develop internship programs. Through development of clinical internships for over 14 years, I understand the logistics necessary to produce an effective program.
Ellie Vandiver
Director of School Engagement
Project Lead The Way
Previous PLTW Biomedical Teacher of the Year. San Diego High School Teacher of the Year, 2012. Piloted BMS Program in San Diego. PLTW Biomedical Spokesperson.
The Profound Experience of the Independent Project
Students can create and experience amazing things when working in real-world scenarios for the Independent Project in Biomedical Innovation. Although the task may seem daunting, the process is invaluable in teaching students the application of the skills they have been learning and practicing in their PLTW courses. This session will show how a high school student can create a profound career experience on his or her own when the Independent Project is properly designed and supported by a school utilizing the PLTW Biomedical Science curriculum.
Joshua Clemmer
Lead Teacher
Bel Air School
Joshua Clemmer is the Lead Teacher of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program and the Science Department Chairperson at Bel Air School in Bel Air, MD. In addition to teaching Biomedical Innovation, he also teaches Earth Science, Marine Science, and Geohazards Engineering. Joshua enjoys striving to keep his teaching on the cutting edge of technology and available resources.
BAHS has been recognized as a PLTW National Model School and as an Outstanding Secondary CTE Program for the state of Maryland. The school has been involved with PLTW since the inception of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. BAHS currently accommodates approximately 250 students and claims over 200 graduates of the program.
Michael Burke
Director of Technology and Multimedia
Bel Air School
Michael Burke began his career by being named a "Teacher of Promise" by the Maryland State Department of Education in 2009. Since then he has been the Director of Technology and Multimedia as well as a HBS and BI teacher at Bel Air High School. Michael prides himself on the myriad of technical and productivity skills that his students develop while in his classes.
BAHS has been recognized as a PLTW National Model School and as an Outstanding Secondary CTE Program for the state of Maryland. The school has been involved with PLTW since the inception of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. BAHS currently accommodates approximately 250 students and claims over 200 graduates of the program.
Developing A Stronger PLTW Program
During the midst of a significant recession, Kennedy High School, a rural low-income high school in Oregon, implemented both PLTWPLTW pathways with less than a $1000 start-up budget. Within two years, a teacher-led grassroots effort helped secure approximately $225,000 in funding to become one of the best rural STEM programs in Oregon. Come listen to three different PLTW teachers and hear how they overcame various obstacles and built strategic community partnerships during the implementation of three different schools in Oregon.
Jeff Crapper
Teacher
Beaverton Health and Science School
Jeffrey Crapper is a National Board Certified Science Teacher who teaches Biology, Health, and PLTW courses at Beaverton Health and Science School in Beaverton, Oregon. He has been an educator for 14 years, teaching a variety of Math, Science, Health, Career Technical Education, Alternative Education, and Physical Education. Jeff has a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Health Education with a Minor in Psychology from Linfield College, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oregon State University, a Master of Christian Ministries with an emphasis in Pastoral Counseling from George Fox University, and a Poster Master Certificate in Sports Counseling from California University of Pennsylvania. He has been instrumental in assisting schools in Oregon with implementing the Engineering and Biomedical pathways, especially in the dual credit articulation process and securing grant funds for PLTW programs. He enjoys finding ways to incorporate technology in his instruction as well as championing PLTW and project based learning in his classroom.
Carlie Harris
Master Teacher
Beaverton Health and Science School
Carlie Harris is a Biology, Chemistry and PLTW Master Teacher at Beaverton Health and Science School in Beaverton, Oregon. She has been teaching for seven years, six of which were spent at a small rural high school in Mt. Angel, Oregon. Carlie has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish with a Minor in Biology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Willamette University. She has been instrumental in implementing the Engineering and Biomedical pathways in a small rural setting. She enjoys finding ways to incorporate technology in her instruction as well as championing PLTW and project based learning.
David Valenzuela
Teacher
Madison High School
I am the PLTW Bio-medical sciences teacher at Madison High School, one of the nine comprehensive high schools in Portland. Previously I was a neuroscientist at Brown University Division of Biology and Medicine where I studied the molecular logic of olfactory perception and pheromone signaling in the mammalian brain. My passion therefore lies at the intersection of education and neuroscience outreach. I firmly believe that increasing awareness on the neurobiology of the brain and behavior can bring about meaningful and transformative changes in the classroom and beyond.
How to Share Your PLTW Experience on Social Media and Attract Advocates
You will walk away understanding the current social media landscape, with tips on how to share your PLTW experiences with others, invite others to engage with their social media efforts, and attract advocates through social media to support their PLTW program(s).
Joseph Parker
Director of Marketing, Digital Strategy
Project Lead The Way
Cameron Hassler
Associate Director of Marketing and Visual Branding
Project Lead The Way
Large scale STEM events
Carrie Rogers-Whitehead knows event planning, bringing in thousands of youth since 2013 to various large-scale events with the Salt Lake County Library system. One of these is a successful STEM Hackathon with numerous partners. Carrie has learned that the pathway from an idea to execution has many steps, but the payoff is substantial. In this session, she shares her tips from PR, social media, forming partnerships and sponsorships, logistics, and more to create your own signature STEM event and to push your organization's STEM initiatives.
Carrie Rogers-Whitehead
Senior Librarian
Salt Lake County Library
Carrie Rogers-Whitehead is a senior librarian with Salt Lake County Library over teen services and outreach. She has trained on tech and STEM programming to numerous professionals and regularly uses STEM to engage youth, particularly those that are underserved. Carrie is a regular contributor to the local media on STEM issues and has been recognized for her innovative programming with awards from the Red Cross and Utah Library Association.
Create Community Connections to Empower Students
This session will present a variety of ways to enhance PLTW courses through community involvement. Topics will include how to: motivate and educate teachers to find community connections, engage students in biomedical science through professionals in the field, inspire students to think beyond the grade or assignment and envision what they can do with the field experience, empower students to continue their community involvement through volunteer work and networking, and focus on necessary presentation and interpersonal skills. We discuss specific examples, distribute templates for community communication, and examine possible issues in this informative session.
Kelly Bozoian
Master Teacher
McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology
Kelly Bozoian has been a teacher for 15 years and a master teacher in Principles of Biomedical Science for 4 years. She has taught PBS, HBS, and BI in the Biomedical Science Pathway. Kelly teaches at the McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology, Lawrence Township in Indianapolis Indiana and was Teacher of the Year there in 2013. With Project Lead the Way she has been an adjunct professor at Ivy Tech and IUPUI. Within the constructs of PLTW courses she has led students in iGEM, with the Innovation Portal, through Biobuilder activities, and created opportunities for her senior students to interact with community members during field experiences. This year she will pilot 40+ hour field studies for 65 BI students including partnerships with hospitals, research labs, private practice, and biotech companies in the local area. Kelly was involved in designing a unique opportunity for her students to present independent research at an annual biotech conference.
Rebecca Schini
Master Teacher
Greenfield-Central High School
Rebecca Schini currently works at Greenfield-Central High School. She has been working at Greenfield-Central High school for eight years as a Science teacher. She currently teaches Biology, Earth/Space, and Biomedical Innovation. Before becoming a teacher she worked at a pharmaceutical research lab working on the development of cell lines for clinical trail material development. Then she worked in quality control for a manufactoring facility. As a teacher, she has introduced multiple new programs to engage students in STEM. She has developed a STEM outreach program to engage young students to pursue an education in STEM. She developed iGEM high school division to engage high school students in current research in synthetic biology. She holds her master in Education and is currently working on her PhD in nanochemistry.
Launch to Engineering; A K-12 Success Story
Our school district started with PLTW Engineering and PLTW Biomedical Science in one high school eight years ago. Since then, we have added PLTW Launch, PLTW Gateway, and CSE, bringing access to PLTW’s curriculum to nearly all 16,874 students in the district. This came about in large part due to the tremendous support from our community’s educational foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the education excellence of our school district. Come learn from our inspiring story of growing a thriving K-12 program across our district, and hear about how we’ve overcome some challenges along the way.
Thomas Pachera
Teacher
Skyline High School
I grew up in the greater Detroit Michigan area and I went to Central Michigan University earning a BS in Industrial Arts Education and Theatre. I started teaching in 1990 at Dearborn Fordson High School and then moved to Parcells and Pierce Middle Schools in Grosse Pointe in 1991. I received a MS degree in Technology & Design soon after and now hold Michigan Certifications in Industrial Arts Education (7-12), Theatre (7-12), Technology and Design (K-12), Occupational/Vocational Certification in Design & Drafting/Architecture Technology as well as Occupational/Vocational Certification in Engineering Technology. In 1996 I moved to the Ann Arbor Public schools where I have taught Design & Technology Education at Forsythe middle school for 10 years before moving to my current position as a lead teacher at Skyline High School. At Skyline, I teach IED, POE, DE, and EDD courses. I am also an Adjunct Professor at Eastern Michigan University in the school of Technology studies. In the summer I am a PLTW Master Teacher in IED.
Bill VanLoo
Technology & Engineering Teacher
Ann Arbor Public Schools
I am a technology, engineering and design educator who is passionate about empowering learners. I’m currently employed as the Technology & Engineering Teacher at Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside, a brand-new K-8 program that is part of Ann Arbor Public Schools. I run the STEAM Lab, our school’s space for hands-on learning through the STEAM subject areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) and teach Project Lead The Way's Launch and Gateway programs. As a teacher, I value hands-on projects, cross-curricular learning experiences, and use of the design process to show students how to solve problems.
Leveraging the State Conference for State PLTW Network Engagement, Development and Growth
A state conference should enhance the development and growth of a PLTW-engaged network within your state, as well as make strong connections to out-of-network schools. We share Missouri’s successful model, and examples of 4 years of successful outcomes. Ask your burning questions at the end of the presentation.
Ben Yates
Affiliate Director
Missouri S&T
STEM Conservationist
Many schools, administrators, and teachers have the desire to offer additional STEM engagement for students but are not sure how to do it or where to begin. The amazing outcomes from delivering Project Lead The Way curriculum in the classroom can instill some hesitation to create “homegrown” STEM experiences. Will it be good enough? Will the kids learn it as well? Recognize that PLTW modules and pathways not only promote student learning, but also enhance teacher instructional strategy. Those skills, along with community stakeholders and higher ed partners, need to work in concert to form a functioning STEM ecosystem. Learn how to become a productive conservationist of this fragile ecosystem, and STEM will thrive.
William Murphy
STEM Coordinator
Certified GTT DM & AR, STEM Curriculum Specialist at Union Public Schools in Tulsa, OK.
Technology and Innovation
myPLTW Professional Development (Eventsforce) - Beginner
Dive into this interactive BYOD (bring your own device) session on myPLTW Professional Development (Eventsforce). Learn how to effectively use the system to plan your event, register attendees, and leave with a completed event that you can use for your next PLTW event. This session focuses on the Affiliate experience in Eventsforce. If you do not have the required log in credentials and are an affiliate, please contact Affiliate Support.
Kate Sirk
Associate Director of Engagement
Project Lead The Way
Kate is a member of PLTW’s National Engagement Team. She works primarily with PLTW’s Affiliate Universities to deliver Core Training events to the PLTW network and on their use of PLTW’s external information technology systems. Prior to her current role, Kate was a member of the Solutions Center and helped support PLTW teachers in their classrooms. Before joining PLTW, Kate worked with pre-Kindergarten students on Kindergarten Readiness, which ignited her passion for PLTW’s mission.
The Virtual Hub of STEM Premier
STEM Premier is a platform where students, from middle school to college level, can build virtual portfolios to showcase their STEM skills and talents, access scholarships and connect with colleges, companies and organizations.
Shea Tighe
National Director of Engagement
STEM Premier
Shea Tighe is the "Jack-of-all trades" for STEM Premier. His experience in a diverse array of industries - marketing, planning, design, and public relations - allow him to wear many different hats. Shea currently directs all K-12 and post-secondary engagement nationally, leads all marketing and front-end web design efforts, and supports the leadership team in strategic planning. He's also a big-time culture enthusiast and strives daily to make STEM Premier the best place to work in the world...yes, he knows that's ambitious. Prior to joining STEM Premier, Shea held marketing and design positions with creative firms across the Southeast - the most recent being an Urban Designer with a land planning firm in Charleston, SC. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2008 - Go Dawgs! When not collaborating with his much smarter colleagues at STEM Premier HQ, you can find Shea surfing out on Folly Beach or making his next cup of coffee. He loves coffee.
Channelle Ragland
Director of Strategic Partnerships
STEM Premier
Channelle brings leadership experience in youth program development and outreach, fundraising, and executive management. She has experience developing, managing, and sustaining collaborative partnerships and outreach education programs for regional, state, and national organizations. Channelle comes to STEM Premier from Project Lead The Way where she served as Director of Student Relations. Prior to PLTW, Channelle served as State Director for Indiana’s Twenty-first Century Scholars program and Executive Director of Southwest Indiana College Access Network. Channelle is passionate about transforming youth into thriving, educated, socially conscious citizens. Throughout her career, she has worked to provide under-represented students access to a college education and expose youth to academic and professional opportunities. Channelle is a graduate of Indiana University Southeast with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Masters of Social Work from the University of Southern Indiana. She also studied education leadership and administration through Brown University and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation's Leadership Learning Cadre. Channelle resides in Atlanta and remains a committed fan of the Indianapolis Colts.
What does innovation look like?
Since opening the Owensboro Innovation Academy, we have been continually learning what innovation looks like for high school students. By partnering with other school districts, community members, and post-secondary institutions, we think we are on the right path and are continuing to grow every day. Without buy-in from students and teachers, however, the strides we’ve made in innovation would not be possible. In this session, you will have the opportunity to hear from students on how schools and community leaders can foster their innovation and what we at OIA are doing to help students on this quest.
Beth Benjamin
Administrator
myPLTW Professional Development (EventsForce) - Intermediate
Dive into this interactive BYOD (bring your own device) session on myPLTW Professional Development (EventsForce). Learn how to maintain your event and successfully retrieve reports. This session focuses on the Affiliate experience in EventsForce, and log in credentials are required. If you do not have log in credentials and are an affiliate please contact Affiliate Support.
Kate Sirk
Associate Director of Engagement
Project Lead The Way
Kate is a member of PLTW’s National Engagement Team. She works primarily with PLTW’s Affiliate Universities to deliver Core Training events to the PLTW network and on their use of PLTW’s external information technology systems. Prior to her current role, Kate was a member of the Solutions Center and helped support PLTW teachers in their classrooms. Before joining PLTW, Kate worked with pre-Kindergarten students on Kindergarten Readiness, which ignited her passion for PLTW’s mission.
Tips and Tricks for Assessments & Feedback
This session will provide a glimpse into the collaborative environment of the New Trier High School STEM/Project-Lead-The-Way Classroom. I will provide an overview of the paperless assessment and feedback process for student assignments using Canvas, as well as how to accomplish this seamlessly in a 1:1 environment. You will see a wide array of ways to document student learning and understanding: Math, Labs, Robotics, Small Group Projects, Entire Class Projects and Participation Tracking. You will also see how to leverage Canvas in grading these various artifacts while maintaining the human connection.
Nathan Silvers
Teacher
New Trier High School
Nathan Silvers has been a teacher for 10+ year, with the past 6 years at New Trier High School. Nathan is currently teaching the Project Lead the Way courses: Principles of Engineering and Introduction to Engineering and has played a major role in the implementation of PLTW at New Trier High School. Nathan is a student oriented teacher who carefully weighs his choices in technology and curriculum against potential student gains and outcomes. With Nathan’s experience as an engineer and teacher, he brings a unique perspective to the use of technology in the classroom and is always looking for new ways to improve his performance resulting in increased student achievement.
STEM Premier: Connecting to STEM Talent
STEM Premier is an online platform where colleges and companies can easily identify the emerging students with interests and skills in critical areas of discipline such as STEM and directly connect with them for recruitment.
Casey Welch
COO & Co-Founder
STEM Premier
Casey Welch comes from an extensive background in technology and education. Before co-founding STEM Premier, he held leadership positions with NorthTech Partners, Inc. and Stimulus Engineering Services as their Director of Business & Technology Development. Prior to that he served as Lead of Global Policy Management Group at Citigroup. Casey attended Purdue University where he earned his Masters in Engineering/Technology Education and Bachelor of Science in Technology. While attending Purdue’s graduate program, Casey was an instructor for various courses including Manufacturing, Power & Energy, Communications and Construction. Due to his performance, Casey received the Indiana Outstanding Future Educator Award. He also played football for the Boilermakers and earned Scholar-Athlete and All Academic Big Ten honors.
Donald Tylinksi, Ed.D
President & Co-Founder
STEM Premier
STEM Premier President Dr. Donald Tylinski brings with him over 35 years of experience in education. Before co-founding STEM Premier, Dr. Tylinski served as Superintendent of Schools for the Seneca Valley School District in Pittsburgh, PA. Under his leadership, the district was recognized for drastically improving it’s ranking for academic achievement in all of Western Pennsylvania. Additionally, Dr. Tylinski led two other school districts to many accolades including recognition as being National Blue Ribbon Schools and top 100 schools in the nation. During his tenures, Dr. Tylinski has been the recipient of numerous awards with most notable being Superintendent of the Year for Innovation in Instruction and Use of Technology and Superintendent of the Year for Instructional Leadership. Dr. Tylinski holds a Doctorate in Education as well as certifications in Guidance, Secondary and Elementary administration. He also earned a BS in General Science and Elementary Education.
Discover the Hidden Powers of LMS Collaboration
Unleash the power of collaboration through the Canvas LMS and take your PLTW class to a transformative level. Maximize the intellectual capabilities of you and your students through the use of discussion boards and peer-reviewed assignments. Learn how simple collaboration strategies can truly engage, inspire, and empower you and your students to produce mastery level work. The PLTW Learning Management System has the infrastructure to connect PLTW teachers in a way that diminishes our miles of separation and augments our abilities and skills. Discover how big and small the PLTW community really is.
Devin McKinnon
Master Teacher
New Berlin Eisenhower Middle/High School
McKinnon currently works as an engineering and technology instructor at New Berlin Eisenhower Middle/High school in New Berlin, Wisconsin. She has a BS in Technology Education from University of Wisconsin Stout. She teaches PLTW classes to 7th through 12th grades students. McKinnon is certified to teach DM, AR, ME, ST, GA, EE, FS, IED, POE, DE, and EDD. McKinnon is Gateway Master Teacher.
Angelica Gunderson
Master Teacher
Los Alisos Middle School
Angelica Gunderson is a science and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) teacher at Los Alisos Middle School in Norwalk, California. She has an MS in Science Education from the California State University of Long Beach and is a PLTW Master Teacher for Medical Detectives (MD), Science of Technology (ST) and Introduction to Computer Science (ICS). For the last two years, she has facilitated an iPad 1:1 model of instruction in her science and PLTW classes.
Realizing ROI by Implementing Certification Autodesk in the Classroom
Competency-based education is on the rise and teachers often feel the pressure to provide measurable outcomes in the classroom. With more focus on the “return on investment” for specific courses, it’s time to consider certification. Certification is a proven method of assessing a student’s knowledge, while also teaching invaluable skills that prepare students for the future. Students who earn certifications demonstrate to employers and colleges they possess verifiable, industry demanded skills.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a record 21.6 million students attended American colleges and universities in fall 2013, constituting an increase of about 6.2 million since fall 2000. However, despite increasing college enrollment many employers question whether academic institutions are adequately preparing today’s graduates for the competitive work environment. According to “Education to Employment, Designing a System that Works, “ 72 percent of education institutions believe recent graduates are ready for work, but only 42 percent of employers agree.
Certification helps ensure that students know how to apply technology in real-world business situations, not just how to use it socially. Individuals who certify open doors to career opportunities by demonstrating verifiable, marketable skills required by today’s workplace.
Mike Maddock
Certiport
PLTW in the Classroom
“Launch”ing into Biomedical
We introduce you to the Biomedical curriculum of Launch through the exploration of the 5th Grade Module: Infection Detection. First, we explore transmission of infection, agents of disease, and mechanisms the body uses to stay healthy. Conclude with a hands-on fictional disease outbreak scenario, requiring participants to examine evidence to deduce the agent of infection, the likely source of the outbreak, and the path of transmission through a fictional scenario.
Chris Reynolds
Principal
Darnaby Elementary
Chris Reynolds began his career at Union Public Schools in 2008 as the assistant principal of Boevers Elementary. In May of 2010, Reynolds was named the assistant principal of Clark Elementary, one of only three schools in the nation to be recognized in Washington, D.C., as a recepient of the National Community Schools Award. In May of 2011, Reynolds was named principal of Darnaby Elementary.Prior to coming to Union, Reynolds began his teaching career with Tulsa Public Schools. He taught second grade and fourth grade at Carnegie Elementary and sixth grade at Nimitz Middle School. In 2007, he received an award as Oklahoma’s PTA Teacher of the Year, the Pat Henry Award.
Aaron Parsons
STEM Coordinator
Suzanne Martin
Master Teacher
Darnaby Elementary School
Suzanne Martin is a 2nd grade teacher at Darnaby Elementary School, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is currently in her 16th year teaching. Suzanne was selected as a PLTW Master Teacher for 2015, and is looking forward to assuming the role again.
Kristen Robinson
Master Teacher
Getting Started With PLTW Launch
Are you a coordinator, administrator or teacher just getting started with PLTW Launch in your district? If so, this session is for you! You will get an overall view of the PLTW Launch program and goals. We discuss ideas to consider when selecting teachers of Launch, ideas for implementing the professional development model, material organization suggestions, and community partnerships ideas. We conclude with a hands-on experience from one of the modules and with your burning questions..
Stephanie Valli
Curriculum Coordinator, Master Teacher
My name is Stephanie Valli and I have been an educator for over 17 years. I was a third grade teacher for 7 years and then a Science Specialist for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade for 4 years. Following those experiences, I became a Curriculum Coordinator K-12 and have held that position for the last 6 years. Through my work as a Curriculum Coordinator I became a PLTW Launch Lead Teacher and then a Launch Master Teacher. Over the last 2 years I have facilitated the implementation of Launch for all of our elementary buildings.
From Seed to STEM: Our PLTW Journey
What would prompt a high-performing, National Blue Ribbon School in rural Alabama to turn their world upside down and become a STEM school? By the way, 80% of the teachers are 40 or older! How did they begin? What motivated them? Where did the non-Title school find money? What did their training look like? How did the community respond? What were the benefits? What are the pitfalls? In this session the PLTW Lead Teachers and Principal of Barkley Bridge Elementary in Hartselle, Alabama outline their own STEM journey. Though their State test scores remained strong and their reputation remained solid, they saw the wave of change and chose to surf it rather than drown in it. And the students' performance? That's the best part!
Susan Hayes
Principal
Barkley Bridge Elementary School
Angie Harris
Teacher
Barkley Bridge Elementary School
Kim Jared
Teacher
Barkley Bridge Elementary School
PLTW: Empowering Rural Schools
PLTW Gateway offers schools the ability to successfully empower students with STEM skills. In our rural school, no program has garnered as much enthusiasm as PLTW Gateway. Whitwell Middle School, located in Whitwell, Tennessee, is a rural school with a student population of 415 students – 70 percent of which are labeled economically disadvantaged. Faced with a community-wide education level of 6th grade, Marion County Schools and WMS had to find a program that would successfully create a culture of STEM-educated young leaders. Join us as we discuss how rural schools can inspire, engage, and empower the world, one PLTW class at a time.
Sandra Roberts
Teacher
Whitwell Middle School
Sandra Roberts is a 23-year-veteran teacher who has spent her teaching career at Whitwell Middle School, a rural school located in Whitwell, Tennessee. Currently, she teaches multiple PLTW's Gateway modules as well as an Advanced ELA class centered around Holocaust Education. She is the Co-Founder and Educational Director of the Children's Holocaust Memorial, which is the subject of a Miramax documentary entitled "Paper Clips".
WhiteBox Learning demonstration
Engage your students in the complete Engineering design process. WhiteBox Learning is a standards-based, web-based STEM/Engineering curriculum and learning system that allows students to engineer and simulate their designs virtually, before building…. Students in grades 6-12 can compete virtually, from any browser, 24/7, all around the world... how cool is that?! STEM Applications include Gliders2.0 (part of the GTT Flight and Space unit), Dragster2.0 (an option in the GTT D&M unit), and GreenCar2.0 (an option in the GTT ST unit). Additional STEM Apps include Prosthetics2.0, Structures2.0, Rockets2.0, MousetrapCar2.0, Rover2.0, SurvivalShelter2.0, and KidWind 2.0. A fully-integrated LMS is included, that measures the link between content knowledge and knowledge application. In this session, WhiteBox will demonstrate Gliders 2.0 and Dragster 2.0, and will take all questions and suggestions.
Graham Baughman
CEO
WhiteBox Learning
Graham Baughman is CEO of WhiteBox Learning, a leader in STEM/Engineering Education, for grades 6-12. WhiteBox Learning (www.whiteboxlearning.com) exists primarily to teach critical thinking skills, and, to inspire more students to choose STEM-related careers. WhiteBox engages students in the complete engineering design process, with web-based design, analysis, and simulation applications. The STEM Applications / classroom activities allow students to engineer (virtually) their designs, and then build them (hands-on).
Creating a Premier Program: Empowering Teachers
Come learn how to best support PLTW Biomedical teachers within the classroom. Listen to a panel of master teachers and administrators from across the nation share their experiences teaching PLTW courses. Learn the unique needs of a PLTW teacher and how to support the development of a robust biomedical program. Panelists will offer advice on topics such as budget, equipment and supplies, ordering, class size and use of technology. We will take time for questions throughout the workshop.
Carlie Harris
Master Teacher
Beaverton Health and Science School
Carlie Harris is a Biology, Chemistry and PLTW Master Teacher at Beaverton Health and Science School in Beaverton, Oregon. She has been teaching for seven years, six of which were spent at a small rural high school in Mt. Angel, Oregon. Carlie has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish with a Minor in Biology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Willamette University. She has been instrumental in implementing the Engineering and Biomedical pathways in a small rural setting. She enjoys finding ways to incorporate technology in her instruction as well as championing PLTW and project based learning.
Gina Greil
Master Teacher
Wilmot Union High School
Gina Greil is a Biology, Chemistry and Project Lead the Way Master Teacher at Wilmot Union High School in Wilmot, Wisconsin. She has been working in this position for the last 9 years of her 13 year career. Gina has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Masters of Science in Secondary Education from Dowling College in Oakdale, New York. Currently she is pursuing Masters in Business Education focusing on STEM Leadership from Milwaukee’s School of Engineering. Gina has been instrumental in creating a series of rigorous STEM offerings in her small, rural high school.
Jennifer Doran
Master Teacher
Jeff Crapper
Teacher
Joe McCollum
Master Teacher
Lena Joch
Master Teacher
Michael Juech
Administrator
Kathryn Eilert
Master Teacher
Sherry Jackson
Master Teacher
Overcoming “See, Hear, and Speak No Engineering”
In this session, we will share our experiences of working with students needing special attention to reach their potential in life, while highlighting the joy these students find as they realize they can succeed and have a bright future in fields that they may have never before considered. Attendees will develop awareness of students who have special educational challenges and can benefit greatly from the PLTW program and curriculum.
William Small
Master Teacher
McKinley Senior High School
I was born in Canton, Ohio and attended Lincoln high school, graduating in 1960. After attending the University of Cincinnati, and graduating with a B.S. in Design (Industrial Design) in 1966, I began working for LTV Aerospace Corporation as Design Engineer in the Crew Systems design group with responsibilities for design of controls, displays, and man/machine interface for the A-7 series of aircraft. In 1971 I became employed as a Vocational Drafting teacher, and was recognized as Drafting Teacher of the year for the state of Ohio in 1992. I was named the Canton Professional Educators Association - Educator of the Year for the 2006-2007 school year, and was named to the All Stark County Teaching Team, representing the Canton City Schools System in the 2003-2004 and 2014-2015 school years. I also was selected to be a Martha Holden Jennings scholar. I obtained my Masters degree in Vocational Education in 1979 from Kent State University. I began to teach the Project Lead The Way courses in 2001. I currently teach the IED, CEA, and EDD courses. In 2012, I was fortunate enough to go with a group of three other teachers to Tanzania to work with, and conduct seminars for a Christian mission school and government schools. I have just completed my forty fourth year of teaching and am energized every day by the young people I am privileged to teach and by the PLTW curriculum. I have been a Master Teacher for IED for approximately the last eight years.
Chad Weaver
PLTW Digital Electronics Master Teacher
McKinley High School
Chad has been teaching Technology Education and PLTW for 23 years. He has been working with and writing curriculum since he started teaching in 1993. In 2004 the woodshop at his school was closing and he found himself in a place that no educator wants to be. Through faith and persistence he was able to be “re-born” into the world of PLTW. He is currently trained in IED, POE, DE and CIM. In 2007 he became a Master Teacher for Digital Electronics. He serves as a PDP coach for DE and is also a member of the PLTW Executive Council for Ohio. In his home school, he serves as a teacher mentor, as well as the Department Chair for CTE. “PLTW is an incredible curriculum. All students should have the opportunity to be engaged by it. I think we have found a way to involve special needs students with it and show them that their short comings are actually their strengths.”
Sneak peek at Computer Science Applications. What is the value of adding the CS pathway instead of tucking it under Engineering?
The session will contain information about the PLTW Computer Science program’s Computer Science Applications (CSA) course and how the demand for computer science is outpacing all other STEM fields during the next five years. The session will explore the current curriculum’s problem-based approach, as well as the timeline for future courses in the pathway. The session will also provide insights into the new partnership between PLTW and The College Board, covering how The College Board’s AP testing fits with the PLTW curriculum and expands career and college opportunities for students.
Kevin Clevenger
Master Teacher
I have been in education for 18 year and have taught at Blue Springs High for the last 10 years. For those 10 years have taught AP Computer Science. In the past two year, I have taught PLTW Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE). I am a Master Teacher for PLTW in Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE). I am a Pilot teacher for the PLTW Computer Science Application course.
Lewis McKenzie
Teacher
North Kansas City High School
I am starting my first year teaching at North Kansas City High School after having spent six years in another district. I began my career as a math teacher and leaped upon the opportunity to teach PLTW courses. I am beginning my fourth year teaching PLTW classes. I am certified to teach Principles of Engineering (POE), Digital Electronics (DE), a Master Teacher in Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE), and piloting the Computer Science Applications (CSA) course. I have been actively involved in providing high school students with unique opportunities through the partnerships developed in the Project Lead the Way network.
How to establish and grow your PLTW program
You have decided to start a PLTW program, but are not sure how to create a vibrant sustainable program? I started PLTW Biomedical, Engineering and Computer Science Programs in various school districts with varied size, diversity, demographics, and financial backing. These programs have grown exponentially Over the first year these programs grow exponentially, and remain sustainable and vibrant. How do you start? How do you reach the students to share the possibilities open to them? How do you infuse the life and sustainability into these programs? Come listen, question, and enjoy.
Terri Tessman
Master Teacher
Terri Tessmann has been involved in PLTW for many years, teaching in the Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and Computer Science pathways at various grade levels. She is a Master Teacher for Medical Interventions, Biomedical Innovations and Introduction to Computer Sciences. She has started PLTW programs in multiple cities (all three paths), and as become a requested program starter for multiple school districts. She also presents annually at the WI and IL State PLTW conferences and other Professional conferences. She has piloted multiple courses for PLTW, as well as worked on the curriculum and assessment writing teams
Baseball as a Metaphor for Learning PHP
Metaphors are powerful learning agents. We use the game of baseball as a metaphor to structure and segment the topic into discrete, bite-sized pieces. Teachers, and by extension students, will benefit by learning how to make this topic more accessible. If you teach php/MySQL, or want to learn it, this session is for you. Participants should come prepared to work on a laptop, install the needed text editor, and access the internet.
Bill Petry
Master Teacher
Bill has been teaching mathematics, science and computer science for over thirty years. He has been a PLTW course instructor for seven years, having taught IED, POE, DE and CSE. He is a Master Teacher for CSE since 2014.
PLTW School Administrator Best Practices
This session showcases what school administrators need to know about PLTW, from the importance of the LMS to how to support their PLTW teachers at Core Training - what works, what doesn't and dynamic implementation while still upholding high PLTW quality. At the last summit, we presented a similar session to PLTW SLAD to show school administrators how they could do this during Core Training. Furthermore, we used this session in our summer "Administrator Training" for the past two years.
Camille Sloan Schroeder
Affiliate Director
Iowa State University College of Engineering
Camille oversees Engineering K-12 Community Outreach for Iowa State University College of Engineering where she serves as the inaugural Director of Iowa FIRST LEGO League and Junior FIRST LEGO League as well as Affiliate Director of Project Lead The Way in Iowa.Camille has worked for Iowa State building programs and serving in roles related to recruitment of first-year and transfer undergraduate students. She has extensive experience in leadership, program creation and implementation, working with community colleges, K-12 schools, faculty, administrators, teachers, parents and students as well as the private sector and donors through numerous initiatives. She volunteers time to community organizations, serves on her local school board, a statewide computer science committee, and has been appointed by the Governor to the North Central STEM Hub Advisory Board.
LAUNCH at Midway!
Midway Elementary School of Science and Engineering, located in Anderson, South Carolina, is a K-5 magnet school that has been involved with PLTW since 2009. As the only school in its district to offer PLTW Launch, Midway provides a seamless transition to the district’s middle and high school PLTW programs. Partnerships with Clemson University and Tri-County Technical College afford authentic STEAM learning opportunities, as representatives from these partnerships are also an integral part of the school community. Join this session to learn more about PLTW Launch and the successes and challenges of Midway's PLTW Launch implementation from the perspective of a teacher, an administrator, and school board representative.
Sandy Bradshaw
Master Teacher
Midway Elementary School
Sandy Bradshaw, Master Teacher for Project Lead the Way (PLTW), is a STEAM Teacher Leader at Midway Elementary School of Science and Engineering in Anderson, SC, where she facilitates all aspects of STEAM Education. Sandy is responsible for development, integration, and instruction of STEAM, PD, and collegiate partnerships. She is National Board Certified with a Master’s plus 30 from Clemson University. Sandy’s (PLTW) involvement began in 2009 and continues with her current implementation of LAUNCH.
Gary Bruhjell
Administrator
Rick Bradshaw
Chairman
Anderson School District 5 School Board
Rick Bradshaw, Chairman of the Anderson School District 5 School Board, is currently employed at Sullivan King Mortuary as a Funeral Director/ Embalmer. For more than thirty years, he made a career in insurance sales and management and for many years owned and managed his own Allstate Insurance Agency. Rick obtained a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina and an AB Degree in Funeral Services from Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Offering More PLTW Programs Equals More Opportunities
Administrators from three schools discuss the benefits to students and teachers when multiple PLTW programs are offered at a high school: Jim Mackin, principal of Hendrick Hudson High School in New York, George Phillips, supervisor of CTE Education at Washington County Public Schools in Maryland, and Kathleen Casey, principal of the all-girls Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore that offers all three PLTW high school programs. Students create personalized programs of study by taking courses from multiple programs, students in different programs can work collaboratively on joint projects to enhance their learning, and teachers can coordinate and plan cross-disciplinary projects.
James Mackin
Principal
Hendrick Hudson High School
Principal, Hendrick Hudson High School, Montrose NY
Kathleen Casey
Principal
Institute of Notre Dame
Kathleen Casey has been a Catholic school educator for over 30 years. She is beginning her 28th year at the Institute of Notre Dame, where she has been the Language Department chair and the AP French Teacher. She is beginning her third year as principal of IND.
George Phillips
Supervisor for Career, Technology and Enrichment Education
Washington County Public Schools
Carroll Co. experiences: Teacher of Science for 10 yrs. 1975 – 85, Assistant Principal at two HS 5 yrs., Principal at Francis Scott Key High 10 yrs. 1990 – 2000 (managed a complete renovation of the facility with students and teachers in place), Principal of South Carroll High School and Career and Technology Center 2000 – 2006. Retired after 31.5 yrs. In addition to Carroll County work, served on several MSDE initiatives including the Student Service Learning Task Force and Principal’s Leadership Development Task Force. Also was a Middle States Evaluator 4 x’s in three states and chaired three Middle States Evaluations in PA and MD. Presented 2x’s at the NASSP National Conference. (Observing and Evaluating the Marginal Teacher) (Panel Discussion of Principals regarding Standardized Assessments)
Washington Co. experience: Supervisor for Career, Technology and Enrichment Education 10yrs. (2006 – to date.) Manage 51 CTE and MS Technology programs in 16 schools. Write grants for national and state funds, oversee curriculum development, provide professional development for teachers, manage a $6.5 million CTE budget for all middle and high school CTE programs, develop and write for approval of yearly Perkins application. Act as liaison for 13 Professional Advisory Councils. Serve on three local government/business committees (Workforce Development, Economic Development, and Chamber of Conference Business/Education)
Motivating the Elementary Classroom
Let’s “Ted Talk” about the importance of PLTW STEM Elementary curriculum to our youngest learners. Time spent cultivating the interests and inquisitive nature of elementary students pays dividends for the student during module work and carrying forward in their education. Both our students and teachers feel great pressure to prepare for statewide assessments. While these assessments have a place in education, better ways exist to motivate and teach students core skills in all curricula. We will look at basic module and subject matter for Engineering, Biomedical, and Computer Science across grades K-5.
James Niar
Instructional Technologist, Master Teacher
Saratoga Springs City School District
James’ primary function in the Saratoga Springs City School District is to bring STEM education and Problem/Project based experiences to all elementary students. The ongoing goal is teaching students that solving real world problems requires collaboration, cooperation, and imagination. He acts as a resource to all elementary teachers and is a district professional development instructor. Jim has been a Project Lead The Way Master Teacher for LAUNCH and was the building level lead for the LAUNCH pilot in 2013-2014. He, along with a core of dedicated Master Teachers, currently trains new building level lead teachers to bring PLTW to their districts across the country.
Amy Shaw-Tingley
Master Teacher
Saratoga Springs City Schools
Amy Shaw-Tingley is a third grade teacher in Saratoga Springs, NY at Lake Avenue Elementary. She has taught there for 17 years. Beginning in 2013, the year of release, she piloted the PLTW Launch engineering modules. She has been a PLTW Master Teacher since 2014. In addition to championing PLTW in her school, she is part of the district's Curriculum Council, ELA Task Force, Data Driven Instruction Committee, Social Studies Task Force, and Building Leadership Team.
FEMINEERS: A Model Program Inspires Girls in STEM
California State Polytechnic University Pomona developed a unique school-based, creative robotics and wearable technology program to engage girls in STEM. The skills students in the Femineers program learn include programming, teamwork, public speaking, and creativity. This interactive session will highlight strategies to replicate this model program, attract and retain girls from underrepresented backgrounds, and prepare them for college and STEM careers. You will learn about the hands-on curriculum for the Femineers program and how the curriculum works in a variety of schools, then brainstorm ideas for how to bring this curriculum to your school.
Cordelia Ontiveros
Affiliate Director, Associate Dean for Academic Programs & Student Services
California State Polytechnic University
Dr. Cordelia Ontiveros is the Associate Dean for Academic Programs & Student Services in the College of Engineering at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). She provides leadership for First Year Experience (FYE), Women in Engineering Program, Maximizing Engineering Potential (MEP), and Project Lead The Way (PLTW), initiatives to increase the interest and achievement of students in engineering. Under her leadership, the percentage of females among the entering engineering student population has increased by 50%, leading to her receiving the 2014 WEPAN University Change Agent Award; the number of schools in the local area offering the PLTW STEM curriculum has increased by a factor of 10; and the FYE advising program has received multiple awards. Ontiveros is a Professor in the Chemical & Materials Engineering Department. She earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona, and her MA and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University.
PLTW all day
How do you take the PLTW modules and integrate them throughout the day in order to make the learning even more meaningful to students? We will explore PLTW modules and expand them to encompass the instructional day. We will take time to look at an academic day in a new way. We will cover CCS integration, close reading strategies, problem solving, standards of mathematical practice, design thinking and other 21st century skills. We allow for discussion, questions, hands-on work and collaboration.
Christina Adamson
Master Teacher
Cal State San Marcos
I love kids and teaching them to love learning. I think STEM education creates kids who love learning. I have been teaching for 25 years and have an MA in literacy. I am currently on loan form my district to CSUSM and teach and supervise teaching candidates. I have been implementing PLTW in my classroom for three years and am in my second year as a Master teacher.
Building an Effective PLTW Launch Program
This PLTW Launch workshop will focus on providing instructional strategies based on best practices and project-based instruction with an emphasis on teaching students identified as English-limited learners and children in a dual-language learning environment. This session will focus on ways to motivate and support these young students in a STEM learning environment.
Sonia Cuellar
Master Teacher
Bellaire Elementary School
Mrs. Sonia Cuellar works with PLTW in San Antonio TX. Her focus is the LEP (limited english proficient) population and her goal is for these students to experience PLTW in their first language. Mrs. Cuellar has a Bachelor's of Art in Spanish and a Master's Degree in General Education. She is currently working on her Doctorates Degree.
Why Computer Science? It's a Math Thing!
Learn about misconceptions and realities of computer science education, why it is important to encourage students to take CS courses, and how PLTW’s computer science pathway cultivates student interest and preparation in CS. This session will also provide attendees with a great introduction to PLTW’s Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE).
Timothy Phelps
Master Teacher
Lakeland Jr/Sr High School
I have been a Master Teacher for two years in CSE. I also teach POE and DE, along with AP Calculus AB at Lakeland Jr/Sr High School in Scott Township, PA. This coming year will be my tenth year teaching high school. I have a BA from Wilkes University in Mathematics/Secondary Education, a MA in Mathematical Sciences from SUNY-Binghamton, and a MAT from California University of Pennsylvania in Advanced Studies in Secondary Education. I also teach College Math as an adjunct instructor at Keystone College in LaPlume, PA.
Taking Design to the Real World: Prosthetic Design
In this hands-on session, you will work in small groups to explore prosthetic design through developing a basic understanding of limb development. You will brainstorm, sketch and create a prototype of a missing limb for a patient who has suffered a debilitating amputation. Participants are encouraged to take this activity a step further and bring their laptop loaded with Autodesk Inventor so that they can extend the activity by designing their prototype in Autodesk Inventor once they have a prototype created.
Sherri Molde
Master Teacher
Hadley Middle School
Sherri Molde is a Project Lead the Way, Gateway to Technology instructor at Hadley Middle School in Wichita, Kansas; a Project Lead the Way Trainer for Wichita State University and is now also an Autodesk Certified Instructor. Sherri has worked in the Wichita Public School district since 1991 where she has taught both elementary and middle school students. Sherri has been in her current position in the technology education department for the past 16 years.Sherri works to instill a love of learning and exploration in her classroom by helping students to understand that there may be multiple paths to finding a solution. She pushes her students to explore engineering fields and to begin thinking about their futures. Sherri’s students enjoy the hands on and laid back atmosphere in her classroom and understands that she will not accept anything but their best when attempting new projects and concepts.Sherri earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Kansas Newman University and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Friend’s University, both in Wichita, Kansas.
Self paced PLTW classes using the LMS
Maintaining engagement can be a challenge when students within the same classroom learn at different rates. The myPLTW Learning Management System (LMS) is a useful tool to address this challenge by turning your classroom into an independent, self-paced environment that is beneficial to every student. Implementing this approach can help motivate students, develop college and career readiness skills, and help all students deepen their learning and master standards without creating superficial learners. This session will demonstrate the self-paced classroom from a PLTW Biomedical Science point of view but can be applied to all PLTW programs.
Chad Shelly
Master Teacher
Colonel Richardson High School
A BMS teacher at Colonel Richardson High School in Maryland. I teach all four BMS classes and am a master teacher for HBS
Collaborations with Launch: CTE in the Elementary Classroom
This presentation will outline how high school PLTW programs – specifically PLTW Biomedical Science and PLTW Engineering – can collaborate with PLTW Launch programs. The session will include specific examples from schools in the district of Scott County, Kentucky – a PLTW Certified School District. Elkhorn Crossing School formed a collaboration in spring 2015 with Lemon’s Mill Elementary to help build a STEM pathway for all K-12 students. High school PLTW teachers and students regularly collaborate with the new PLTW Launch teachers and students. The goal of this presentation is to discuss how administration, teachers, and students can establish an exciting learning environment for many levels of learners, maximize resources, and develop a STEM-centered focus for the entire school district.
Julye Adams
Master Teacher
Elkhorn Crossing School
Julye M. Adams received her PhD in Physiology and Biophysics from the University of KY in December 2005. After a successful Post-Doctoral fellowship, Dr. Adams founded the first secondary-level Biomedical Sciences Program in Kentucky. Her Biomedical Sciences “Village” is one of the anchor programs at the progressive Elkhorn Crossing School in Georgetown, KY and is considered a model for the state. Additionally, she is a certified PLTW Master Teacher in the Biomedical Sciences Curricula and works as an independent consultant for teachers and schools across the state and nation. Dr. Adams serves on several community and education committees and has been an invited speaker at several state and national science and education meetings. She was named the 2014-15 PLTW Biomedical Sciences Kentucky Teacher of the Year and recently received the LexMark Inspire Award. Dr. Adams is currently attaining an MA in Career and Technical Administration.
* Times and Sessions Subject to Change