2024VSTE Annual Conference

In this interactive and collaborative session, you?ll dive into the exciting world of student self-animation using digital tools. Discover how to empower learners of all ages to express themselves through animation, characters, and creativity. We?ll explore user-friendly platforms, share practical tips, and reflect on integrating self-animation into your curriculum. Participants will leave with practical ideas, resources, and newfound confidence to nurture creativity in their students. Don?t miss this opportunity to ignite imagination, foster collaboration, and inspire your students with captivating animations!

Anchors away! Unbatten the hatches! Come cruise with us through the vast opportunities of Book Creator. It is time to relinquish control and liberate your students? creativity, engagement, and innovation along the open seas of imagination. Book Creator gives students the freedom to become published authors/illustrators through the creation of digital books. Through this collaborative and comprehensive tool, students transition from interacting with books to becoming published authors and illustrators. Join us for a session where we explore the open waters of Book Creator and how it enables students to navigate the winds of innovation, be captains of their own learning, and chart their course towards boundless creativity and scholarly achievement.

The Invention Education workshop will equip teachers with the necessary skills and resources to support students as they prepare for invention expos at local, state, and national levels, including the annual National Invention Convention. By fostering a supportive and encouraging environment, educators can help students refine their ideas, develop prototypes, and effectively communicate their inventions. This workshop will provide strategies for guiding students through the entire invention process, from initial concept to polished presentation. Teachers will also learn how to connect students with mentorship opportunities, industry experts, and additional resources to enhance their learning experience. By actively participating in these expos, students gain valuable feedback, build confidence, and develop a passion for innovation that can lead to future academic and career opportunities. By embedding the Invention Process within STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, this workshop aims to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. The hands-on, problem-solving nature of invention education makes STEAM subjects more relevant and appealing, as students see the real-world applications of their knowledge. This experiential learning approach not only sparks curiosity and motivation but also helps students develop essential 21st-century skills such as collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. By empowering educators with the tools and techniques to foster a culture of innovation, this workshop will inspire the next generation of inventors and innovators.

Anchor your PD in something solid & consistent: a theme! With a theme you have a strong framework to build a good yearlong PD plan that incorporates the strong instructional strategies you want your teachers using in class. So build a shared culture of consistent terminology, strategies and support for your teachers by keeping your professional learning anchored with a theme!