ACTEM2026: Full Schedule

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8:00am EDT

Authentically ME? AI, Judgment, and 3D Design

Thursday October 15, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

AI can turn a sketch, photo, or prompt into a 3D printed object in minutes—but is the result truly authentic? In this engaging session, explore how educators can use AI-powered design tools while still prioritizing student creativity, ownership, and critical thinking. Leave with practical workflows and strategies to help students create work that is not only innovative, but authentically their own.

Speakers

Stephen LaRochelle

Library Director / Adjunct Instructor, Kennebec Valley Community College

Thursday October 15, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Arnold

8:00am EDT

Data Harmony: Using AI to Master Google Sheets

Thursday October 15, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

Howard

Master Google Sheets with a Privacy-First AI approach. This session shows educators how to use Gemini as a 'Formula Architect' to clean data and automate workflows without uploading sensitive student PII.

You will learn to:
* Generate complex formulas using natural language.
* Structure data safely using anonymized sets.
* Create time-saving templates.

Leave with a toolkit of secure prompts that let AI do the heavy lifting while you keep data safe.

Speakers

Susie Simmons

Instructional Tech Coach, MSAD 6 - Bonny Eagle

Susie Simmons is a an instructional technology coach for Bonny Eagle Middle School & High School in Buxton/Standish, Maine. Her ed tech passions include 3D printing, virtual & augmented reality, spreadsheets, coding, and workload automating. She has a B.S. in Technology Education... Read More →

Thursday October 15, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Howard

9:10am EDT

Beyond Formulas: Using Gemini to Build Custom GSheet Scripts

Thursday October 15, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am EDT

Howard

Go beyond formulas with 'Vibe Coding.' Learn to use Gemini to write custom Google Apps Scripts using only natural language. We’ll build a real-world tool that takes Google Form responses and automatically assigns students to sessions based on their preferences.

Key Outcomes:
> Automate tasks formulas can’t touch.
> Create custom 'Apps Script' logic without manual coding.
> Deploy a student-choice sorter.

Perfect for those ready to build custom classroom solutions in minutes.

Speakers

Susie Simmons

Instructional Tech Coach, MSAD 6 - Bonny Eagle

Thursday October 15, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am EDT
Howard

9:10am EDT

DIY AI: Build a Custom LLM for Your School's STEM Curriculum

Thursday October 15, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am EDT

Capital

You know the struggle: incredible STEM resources exist within your district, but they are scattered across fragmented Google Drives, different LMS platforms, and siloed department folders. Meanwhile, generic AI chatbots either hallucinate facts or completely miss your district's specific educational standards.

Join me to discover how "DIY AI" can break down information silos, bypass expensive vendor lock-in, and guarantee equitable access to high-quality STEM instruction.

Speakers

Lou Jones-Rodriguez

IT Lead/Tech Coordinator, AOS91/Mount Desert Island Regional School System

Thursday October 15, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am EDT
Capital

9:10am EDT

NotebookLM: The Ultimate Knower of All Your School’s Info

Thursday October 15, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am EDT

Penobscot

Every school has a mountain of manuals—now you can make them talk! Learn to build a "Super Sidekick" using NotebookLM that unlocks the secrets of your handbooks and emergency plans. We’ll show you how to turn dry docs into an instant-answer machine for staff, complete with "secret weapon" resources like custom podcasts and infographics. Information hunting ends here!

Speakers

Janice Rodriguez

Technology Integrator, Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School

Michelle Russo

Technology Integrator, Brunswick Junior High School

Thursday October 15, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am EDT
Penobscot

1:10pm EDT

Twenty-seven for ’27: Promising Technologies, Tools, Trends

Thursday October 15, 2026 1:10pm - 2:10pm EDT

Howard

This rapid-fire session will leave you hopeful and invigorated. It will include an overview of technologies that will inspire and motivate. Completely updated from ACTEM 2025, topics will include immersive learning, AI-powered personalization and assisted grading, robots, noteworthy trends, and apps not yet available at the time of this writing. The term “Electronic Constructivism” was coined by this presenter, who will stress what really matters: Good Teaching. Raffle for techy door prizes.

Speakers

Maureen Yoder

Higher Ed, Lesley University

Dr. Maureen Brown Yoder has presented at educational technology conferences since the 1980s when educational technology was in its infancy. Dr. Yoder is a Professor Emerita at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A former classroom teacher, she has experience designing and... Read More →

Thursday October 15, 2026 1:10pm - 2:10pm EDT
Howard

1:10pm EDT

Using AI to Build a Website (Without Being a Coding Expert)

Thursday October 15, 2026 1:10pm - 2:10pm EDT

Capital

Students learn to write clear AI prompts instead of memorizing HTML codes. For example: “Make a webpage about my hamster: a title, one paragraph, and a toy list.” The AI builds the page. Then students customize colors, images, and layout. Teachers learn 3 simple skills: writing good prompts, easy fixes (colors, text size), and classroom AI rules. No coding experience needed.

Speakers

Sean Wasson

Computer Science Teacher, Portland Public Schools

Computer Science Teacher. Member of CSTA Maine and ACTEM. Code.org Facilitator.

Aaron Rog

K-12 Educator, Maine Department of Education

Thursday October 15, 2026 1:10pm - 2:10pm EDT
Capital

2:20pm EDT

Building Staff Confidence with AI: PD Process

Thursday October 15, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm EDT

Arnold

Members from Yarmouth High School will present its collaborative process for building faculty buy-in for AI professional development. Presenters will show how the multidisciplinary AI committee moved staff from AI-averse to AI-literate. The session includes networking, sharing PD resources and tips, 30 minutes of presentation, and 20 minutes of collaboration/scenario work. Participants should bring computers.

Speakers

Jen Adams

Instructional Technology Integrator, Yarmouth High School

Bryan Quigley

Secondary Science Teacher, Yarmouth High School

I am a secondary science educator at Yarmouth High School, and am passionate about plants, technology, the environment, guitar, MTG, and anywhere nerd culture and nature collide. Excited to share what I have learned with y'all.

Thursday October 15, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm EDT
Arnold

2:20pm EDT

How AI Works: Demystifying Artificial Intelligence for Educators

Thursday October 15, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm EDT

Pine Tree

How AI Works: Demystifying Artificial Intelligence for Educators is an interactive session designed to help educators better understand the computer science behind artificial intelligence. Participants will explore how AI systems learn from data, recognize patterns, and generate predictions through concepts such as algorithms, machine learning, and neural networks. The session will also examine the opportunities, limitations, ethical considerations, and real-world impacts of AI, while providing educators with a stronger foundation for discussing AI literacy and computer science concepts with students.

Speakers

Allison Braley

Computer Science Specialist, Maine Department of Education

Allison Braley is the Computer Science Specialist at the Maine Department of Education. She previously taught computer science and served as a technology integrator for nine years, supporting students and educators in innovative technology use. In 2022, she was recognized as the CSTA/Infosys... Read More →

Thursday October 15, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm EDT
Pine Tree

2:20pm EDT

What Responsible Student AI Use Actually Looks Like

Thursday October 15, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm EDT

Capital

Students need to know how to use AI responsibly and ethically to be prepared for college and their careers. The way we get them there is neither by shoving AI under the rug nor turning on commercial AI. That's where MagicSchool comes in. In this session, we'll explore what it looks like to bring student facing AI in a way that builds skills, deepens understanding, and drives measurable achievement.

Speakers

Becky Luetjen

Account Executive, MagicSchool

Becky, an Account Executive at MagicSchool, has over 12 years of experience in education. She taught high school English, developed district-wide curriculum, and served as a school librarian. Having witnessed both the impact of great teaching and the growing burnout among educators... Read More →

Thursday October 15, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm EDT
Capital

8:00am EDT

8:00am EDT

9:10am EDT

9:10am EDT

9:10am EDT

1:10pm EDT

1:10pm EDT

2:20pm EDT

2:20pm EDT

2:20pm EDT

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