You’re invited to join us Tuesday August 12th through Thursday August 14th for the 2025 STEM Summit at the Wenatchee Convention Center! The STEM Summit provides professional learning opportunities for teachers and educational staff members in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics taught by experts and specialists in their fields.
At the intersection of artificial intelligence and human learning lies a complex landscape of possibility -- where technology is NOT a replacement for thinking, but an opportunity for cognition and learning. Through a neuroscience lens, we'll challenge how we navigate educational technology, revealing how AI can serve as a companion that activates neural pathways, supports plasticity, and invites students to engage with technology as a collaborative partner. This exploration isn't about fear or blind enthusiasm, but about thoughtfully designing learning experiences that amplify human potential by understanding the interplay between artificial intelligence and how the human brain learns.
We knock down the barriers of stress, bias and emotional reactivity with powerful, practical and proven neural-informed learning practices so that all students can learn.
This presentation is a collaboration between Cascadia Conservation District, US Fish and Wildlife Service (Leavenworth/Entiat Fish Hatchery) and Cascade Fisheries. Participants will visit an active restoration site on the Wenatchee River and use Kids in the Creek methods to investigate the area. Kids in the Creek is hands-on, interactive, engaging experience for high school students. Founded in 1993, the mission of the program is to connect students with aquatic and riparian ecosystems for an understanding of watersheds and the critical role of human land management activities. While these basic tenants still remain, the program has been in need of modernization to align with current state and national standards. Over the past year, we have worked on curriculum updates to better accommodate teachers while still providing the experience that makes Kids in the Creek such a special program. In this session, we will invite new and returning Kids in the Creek teachers to try out planned activities and provide feedback on the curriculum updates. The session will involve indoor and outdoor activities (weather dependent).
3hr session- meet in FS parking lot, go out to Lower Sleepy Hollow (5min drive), 1.5 hrs at site, drive back to FS office, meet for last ~1hr
This presentation will introduce you to The Museum of Flight, its education and career pathways, regional partnerships to advance aerospace education and career opportunities, and discussion regarding attracting students and families to consider career opportunities in aerospace.
Dr. Black began her role of Vice President of Education at The Museum of Flight in the summer of 2020. Prior to joining the Museum she served as an Assistant Superintendent for Everett Public Schools with prior work experience at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, University... Read More →
In this session, participants will explore elementary engineering activities designed to make engineering accessible to all students. Participants will be challenged to design a hand pollinator to move pollen from one flower to another. Participants will first learn about declining populations of bees and the cascading impacts of this problem in a societal context. They will then make connections between the features of natural pollinators and the properties of various materials, using this knowledge to engineer their own pollinators for pumpkin flowers. After experiencing the activities, participants will reflect on how they engaged in engineering practices, such as applying science knowledge to problem solving. They will also examine the curricular resources with a focus on the embedded asset-based pedagogies. Participants will compare how the design principles in this unit manifest in other grade levels, from preschool to middle school.
Director, Operations Strategy & Program Management, Youth Engineering Solutions (Museum of Science, Boston)
I do a bit of everything (curriculum development, professional learning, website management) for Youth Engineering Solutions. We offer free engineering and computer science curricula for preschool–middle school youth for in-school and out-of-school settings. I'd love to connect... Read More →
This presentation highlights how building genuine connections with students can transform STEM learning. We will explore strategies for fostering trust and rapport—such as active listening, open communication, and inclusive practices—supported by classroom examples shared without revealing student identities. Attendees will gain practical insights and simple yet impactful methods for creating supportive classroom environments where students can thrive.
For the past decade, I have been teaching on the East side of the state. My journey began in a traditionally affluent high school, but ten years ago, I made a significant transition to a high minority, low socio-economic high school. This change has been both challenging and enlightening... Read More →
We knock down the barriers of stress, bias and emotional reactivity with powerful, practical and proven neural-informed learning practices so that all students can learn.
Technology can be a powerful tool for student growth, but how do we ensure it fosters confidence rather than dependence? This session will explore the intersection of EdTech best practices and the SEL competency of self-efficacy. Participants will examine how technology can support students in overcoming challenges, building perseverance, and engaging in meaningful learning experiences. We’ll also discuss how AI can be leveraged to help students develop problem-solving skills while maintaining a sense of ownership over their learning.
Did the keynote spark your curiosity? Join us in a collaborative workshop and explore the intersection of AI and neuroscience, transforming insights from the keynote into actionable practices for intentional, meaningful instructional design that supports cognitive growth and learning. Together, we'll challenge assumptions, reflect on our practice, and collaboratively reimagine how AI can enhance -- not replace -- the incredible complexity of human learning.
We knock down the barriers of stress, bias and emotional reactivity with powerful, practical and proven neural-informed learning practices so that all students can learn.
What is light and how do we know? This session with explore the history of our understanding of light from the ancient Greeks and Isaac Newton, up to Albert Einstein’s explanation of the photo-electric effect and the birth of Quantum Mechanics. A basic understanding of algebraic concepts is required for this course.
WA Math Regional Coordinator, North Central Education Service District
Dr. Andy Boyd serves as the Science and Math Specialist at the North Central Educational Service District (NCESD), where he also holds the role of Regional Math Coordinator. With a strong background in STEM education and regional education systems, Dr. Boyd supports educators across... Read More →
This presentation is a collaboration between Cascadia Conservation District, US Fish and Wildlife Service (Leavenworth/Entiat Fish Hatchery) and Cascade Fisheries. Participants will visit an active restoration site on the Wenatchee River and use Kids in the Creek methods to investigate the area. Kids in the Creek is hands-on, interactive, engaging experience for high school students. Founded in 1993, the mission of the program is to connect students with aquatic and riparian ecosystems for an understanding of watersheds and the critical role of human land management activities. While these basic tenants still remain, the program has been in need of modernization to align with current state and national standards. Over the past year, we have worked on curriculum updates to better accommodate teachers while still providing the experience that makes Kids in the Creek such a special program. In this session, we will invite new and returning Kids in the Creek teachers to try out planned activities and provide feedback on the curriculum updates. The session will involve indoor and outdoor activities (weather dependent).
This will be an off-site session at a riparian restoration site on the Lower Wenatchee River on Lower Sleepy Hollow Rd. Attendees will meet at the US forest service office to shuttle down to the site and then use their conference room for follow-up discussions (and in the event of excessive heat/smoke). The session would be focused on stream health, current local restoration efforts and the Kids in the Creek program.
In this session, participants will explore elementary engineering activities designed to make engineering accessible to all students. Participants will be challenged to design a hand pollinator to move pollen from one flower to another. Participants will first learn about declining populations of bees and the cascading impacts of this problem in a societal context. They will then make connections between the features of natural pollinators and the properties of various materials, using this knowledge to engineer their own pollinators for pumpkin flowers. After experiencing the activities, participants will reflect on how they engaged in engineering practices, such as applying science knowledge to problem solving. They will also examine the curricular resources with a focus on the embedded asset-based pedagogies. Participants will compare how the design principles in this unit manifest in other grade levels, from preschool to middle school.
Director, Operations Strategy & Program Management, Youth Engineering Solutions (Museum of Science, Boston)
I do a bit of everything (curriculum development, professional learning, website management) for Youth Engineering Solutions. We offer free engineering and computer science curricula for preschool–middle school youth for in-school and out-of-school settings. I'd love to connect... Read More →
What makes technology integration truly effective? In this session, educators will explore the SAMR model, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and other research-based best practices to design a meaningful technology-enhanced learning activity for their students.
Picturing Writing is an innovative, evidence-based approach to teaching writing and advancing literacy learning that can be easily integrated across the elementary science curriculum. Because pictures offer a universal language, this dynamic approach has been proven particularly effective for English Learners and others who struggle with words. Check out this captivating way to use art and writing to take a deep dive into science starting with carefully crafted pictures. Come experience “the magic” that happens when you bring words and pictures together!
Thirty-five years ago, I began exploring the dynamic relationship between art and writing in an attempt to help my own struggling reader and writer. Over the decades, I have created and honed two innovative, evidence-based approaches to teaching writing and fostering literacy that... Read More →
Fisheries biology offers a compelling framework for high school students to engage with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) by integrating key concepts from environmental science, ecology, and biology. In this session, we will present on lessons and resources available for high school classrooms to engage in hands-on lessons that foster scientific inquiry and critical thinking while empowering students to understand and contribute to the sustainability of our natural resources. Please consider this a soft application with more details coming (if necessary) by the end of April.
Equip participants with knowledge about AI technologies and their transformative potential in rural settings, especially in industries like agriculture, healthcare, and education.
Foster Collaboration Between Community Leaders and Educators:
Create opportunities for networking and partnership-building to jointly develop AI initiatives that benefit the community.
Develop Practical Strategies for AI Implementation:
Guide attendees in identifying specific community needs and formulating actionable plans to effectively implement AI solutions.
Promote Ethical and Inclusive Use of AI:
Emphasize the importance of ethical considerations and inclusivity to ensure AI benefits are accessible to all community members, including marginalized groups.
Come experience a hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd for High School and discover how the new Carolina Certified Version enhanced these high-quality instructional materials, making them more accessible, user-friendly, and safer for classroom use.
