MACE: Full Schedule

12:45pm CST

Empowering Student Voices: Leveraging Kialo-EDU for Engaging Debates and Critical Thinking

Thursday March 6, 2025 12:45pm - 1:30pm CST

In today's dynamic educational landscape, fostering critical thinking and effective communication skills is paramount. Kialo-EDU, a powerful online platform, offers a unique opportunity to engage students in meaningful debates and discussions. This session will explore how to harness the potential of Kialo-EDU across various subject areas and grade levels to create stimulating learning experiences that empower students to think critically, articulate their ideas, and collaborate with peers.
Kialo-EDU.com

Speakers

Cinnemon Buie

Coordinator, Gardner Edgerton School District

Cinnemon is currently the Secondary Technology Integration Coordinator and District Assessment Coordinator in the Gardner Edgerton School District. She holds Masters Degrees in both Educational Administration and Instructional Design and Technology from Emporia State University, as... Read More →

Thursday March 6, 2025 12:45pm - 1:30pm CST
KSU Union Room 226

Instructional Tools, Kialo

Audience All
Subject Critical Thinking, Debate

1:45pm CST

Let's Have Fun with FigJam!

Thursday March 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm CST

KSU Union Room 226

FigJam is a highly engaging and collaborative whiteboard program you can use with students. It is a great place to facilitate discussions, organize ideas, and think through problems. Students love the active participation and cool tools they get to use.

Speakers

Gail Ramirez

Curriculum Technology Integration Specialist, Topeka Public Schools

I am a district-level Curriculum Technology Integration Specialist. I am certified as a Google Trainer, Seesaw Certified Teacher, Wakelet Coach, Apple Learning Specialist, Microsoft Trainer, and Adobe Certified Expert/Trainer. I work with our computer science curriculum and coding... Read More →

Thursday March 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm CST
KSU Union Room 226

Instructional Tools, FigJam

3:00pm CST

Micro Marvels: Unleashing Creativity Through Engineering and Coding

Thursday March 6, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm CST

KSU Union Room 226

Discover how to unlock student creativity and problem-solving skills by integrating engineering and coding concepts with easy-to-use tools like Micro:bits, Strawbees, Hummingbird and Sphero. Designed for educators new and experienced alike, this session offers a guided exploration of practical examples and projects suitable for upper elementary through early high school classrooms.

During this presentation, you’ll:

Learn how engineering and coding concepts complement each other in hands-on STEM education.
See real-world demonstrations of micro:bits and other tools in action, sparking ideas for your own lessons.
Take home a collection of ready-to-use examples that make incorporating these tools into your teaching simple and impactful.

Speakers

Jess Blouvan

Tech Specialist in Coding and Robotics, Bishop Development Center, Topeka Kansas TPS 501

Thursday March 6, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm CST
KSU Union Room 226

Instructional Tools, Micro:bits, Strawbees, Hummingbird and Sphero

Audience All
Subject STEM

4:00pm CST

Prompt Engineering: Unlocking the Potential of AI in Education

Thursday March 6, 2025 4:00pm - 4:45pm CST

KSU Union Room 226

Unlock the full potential of AI in K-12 classrooms with effective prompt engineering! This session will guide educators through crafting precise prompts to maximize the utility of AI tools like ChatGPT, MagicSchool, and Canva. Learn strategies to create engaging lesson plans, streamline grading, and encourage critical thinking in students. Attendees will gain practical tips and hands-on examples to integrate prompt engineering into daily tasks to enhance productivity and foster innovative learning experiences.

Speakers

Tom Vontz

Professor and Director of the Center for Social Studies Education, KSU College of Education

Thursday March 6, 2025 4:00pm - 4:45pm CST
KSU Union Room 226

AI, Classroom Organization

Audience ALL

8:00am CST

Python Programming Made Easy with CMU

Friday March 7, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am CST

KSU Union Room 226

CMU CS Academy is an online, graphics-based computer science curriculum taught in Python provided by Carnegie Mellon University. They create novel, world-class Computer Science education for your classroom —and it’s entirely free.

Speakers

Jason Maisog

Teacher, EJSHS

First year CS teacher.

Friday March 7, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am CST
KSU Union Room 226

STEM, CMU CS Academy

Audience All
Subject Computer Science

9:00am CST

Engage, Explore, Enhance: The Power of HyperDocs in Blended Learning (REPEAT)

Friday March 7, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST

KSU Union Room 226

Join returning presenter, fresh off last year’s popular “Shifting Your Workload with AI” session, for an engaging dive into the world of HyperDocs! In this interactive session, you’ll learn what HyperDocs are by experiencing one firsthand, all within a blended learning setup. Discover how these dynamic, digital lessons can boost engagement, and enhance blended learning. Walk away with inspiration and resources transform your own teaching! This presentation is suited for anyone who teaches any topic and those who deliver PD themselves.

Speakers

Katelyn Hobby

Social Studies, Shawnee Heights High School

Hi! I'm a teacher in my 11th year of education who's just about done it all from elementary, to middle, and now high school! I'm extremely passionate about teaching, learning, and teacher advocacy; always looking for ways to improve my craft and help others do the same.

Friday March 7, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST
KSU Union Room 226

Instructional Strategies, Hyperdocs

Audience ALL

10:00am CST

Integrating Seesaw Into Your Daily Classroom

Friday March 7, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am CST

KSU Union Room 226

This session will walk through the basics of how seesaw can be integrated seamlessly into your daily routine. Showing that it can be used for review, formative and informative assessment, as well as Parent Communication With documentation.

Speakers

Leah Yancey

Riley Elementary School Library Media Specialists, USD 428

Friday March 7, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am CST
KSU Union Room 226

Instructional Tools

11:00am CST

Growths and Challenges: A First-Year Principal's Leadership Reflection

Friday March 7, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am CST

KSU Union Room 226

This session offers a candid reflection on the first year as a school principal, focusing on the growth, challenges, and leadership lessons learned. We will explore strategies for fostering a positive school culture, building strong relationships, and navigating the complex issues surrounding school leadership. There will be a focus on integrating technology to enhance communication, streamline operations, and support both staff and student success.

Speakers

Mary Mellen

Principal, Anthony Elementary School

Friday March 7, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am CST
KSU Union Room 226

Professional Development

Audience Administration