Vermont Fest 2024: Full Schedule

10:00am EST

Empowering Educators: An AI Toolkit & Resource Guide for the Modern Classroom

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST

In this session, we will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the educational landscape. Educators will gain access to a practical toolkit filled with AI-driven tools and resources that can enhance and streamline instruction to foster student engagement. As we navigate these new technologies, we'll also discuss the magnitude of change required—rethinking traditional teaching practices, integrating AI into everyday learning, and ensuring equity and access for all students. This session is designed to empower teachers to confidently adopt AI, transforming their classrooms for the future.

Speakers

Patricia Aigner

Director of Technology, Rutland City Public Schools

Patricia Aigner is the Director of Technology for the RCPS in Rutland, Vermont. She is licensed as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. Patricia has served on the boards of Vermont's ISTE and ASCD affiliate organizations. In 2020, Patricia received the Frank Watson Lifetime Achievement... Read More →

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Gateway I

Fri Block A

Grade Span Early Elementary School, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Post Secondary
Tags Advocacy & Leadership, Digital Literacy & Citizenship, Digital Resources & OER, Pedagogy, Flexible Pathways, Research & Information Literacy, Standards & Curricula, STEM/STEAM & MakerSpaces, Digital Storytelling, Student Voice
Level All Levels
Theme Improving Classroom Practices with Technology

10:00am EST

Enhance any curriculum with 3D Printing

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST

Gateway II

This hands-on workshop will provide educators with the tools and knowledge needed to integrate 3D printing technology into any curriculum, enhancing student engagement and bringing learning to life. Participants will explore how 3D printing can be used across different subjects like math, science, history, and art. By the end of the session, educators will walk away with actionable lesson ideas and the confidence to implement 3D printing in their own classrooms.

Speakers

Kimberly M Smith

Computer Scicene & Design Thinking / STEAM Teacher and Tech Integration Coach, Saint Raphael School

With over 25 years dedicated to computer science, STEAM, and inclusive Makerspace education, I am passionate about making technology accessible to all students. As a Tinkercad Teacher Advisory Board member, Maker’s Empire Ambassador, and Qweebi Teacher Advisor, I bring a hands-on... Read More →

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Gateway II

Fri Block A

Grade Span Elementary School, Middle School
Tags STEM/STEAM & MakerSpaces, Standards & Curricula
Level All Levels
Theme Improving Classroom Practices with Technology

10:00am EST

Foster a love of learning in every student with Nearpod

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST

Escapade I

As we gear up for another exciting school year, Nearpod is thrilled to introduce a suite of new updates designed to enhance the teaching and learning experience. With our continued commitment to keeping teachers at the center of everything we do, these updates aim to provide active learning experiences, data-driven insights, and high-quality instruction with trusted, standards-aligned content. Join us to see what’s new this year and how you can foster the love of learning in your classroom!

Speakers

Kara Baker

Account Executive, Renaissance

Nearpod’s products are built for the most important job in the world: teaching. Nearpod is an interactive instructional platform that merges real-time formative assessment and dynamic media for live and self-paced learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Nearpod... Read More →

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Escapade I

Fri Block A

10:00am EST

Getting Creative with the Circuit Playground

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST

Northstar II

In this hands-on session you will learn how to use Adafruit's Circuit Playground which is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. This is an easy to use and fairly inexpensive device to let your students' creativity expand!
You will learn how to use easy block based programming of the devices to get them to light up LED strips and make a light show, play sounds, run servos as well as send a signal between them or use the light or temperature or accelerometer sensors to create some very interesting projects.

Speakers

Richard Ballard

Technology integration specialist, Missisquoi Valley SD

I'm Rich Ballard and I am a Technology integration specialist at Missisquoi Valley Union Middle/High School (MVU). Before that I taught middle school science for over 35 years at MVU and in Vero Beach Florida. As the Technology integration specialist, I helped to implement a 1:1 computer... Read More →

Vermont Fest Circuit Playground! (1) pdf

Vermont Fest Circuit Playground! (1) pptx

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Northstar II

Fri Block A

Grade Span Middle School, High School, Elementary School
Tags CS & Computational Thinking, STEM/STEAM & MakerSpaces
Level All Levels
Theme Improving Classroom Practices with Technology, improving-classroom-practices-with-technology

10:00am EST

Golden Dome Book Award

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST

Escapade II

Members of the Golden Dome Book Award Committee will present ideas for promoting the 2024-2025 list. There will also be time for participants to share promotions and activities that they are doing at their home libraries.

Speakers

Courtney Bowen

Sarah Adelman

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Escapade II

Fri Block A

Grade Span Middle School
Tags Books & Collections
Level All Levels
Theme Library Leadership & Management

10:00am EST

Scribble Away with Charles Waters

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST

Northstar I

Feedback Survey

Writing exercises is a 45 minute workshop with an additional Q & A that focuses on the use of figurative language, seeing the world with a poetic eye with the help of some techniques as Metaphors, Similes, Haikus and Senryus. I also emphasize the importance of how to avoid cliches in writing, keeping notebooks, and showing examples of how some of my own notebook ideas turned into published poems. Participants will be able to create their own poems using their learning about poem structure, point of view and tone analysis.

Speakers

Charles Waters

Author, Actor, Children’s Poet and Educator

Charles Waters (charleswaterspoetry.com) is an author, actor, children’s poet and educator. His latest book Mascot (co-written with Traci Sorell) has received multiple starred reviews. His other books (co-written with Irene Latham) include: African Town (winner of the 2023 Scott O’Dell Award For Historical Fiction... Read More →

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Northstar I

Fri Block A

10:00am EST

Take the Pai* out of PD by making it Proactive and Personalized!

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST

Roundabout

As school leaders continue to navigate the Professional Development (PD) landscape, join WeVideo for an interactive session that examines innovative ideas on balancing asynchronous, synchronous, and personalized PD with faculty, staff, and administrators. We will uncover how Interactive Learning tools can help create a culture of proactive and immediate learning without compromising individual faculty and staff experience and training needs.

Speakers

Nolan Sutker

Regional Sales manager, WeVideo

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Roundabout

Fri Block A

Grade Span Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Tags Assessment, Digital Literacy & Citizenship, Digital Resources & OER, Flexible Pathways, Standards & Curricula, storytelling
Level All Levels
Theme IT Leadership & Management, Improving Classroom Practices with Technology, improving-classroom-practices-with-technology