ACTEM2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2026 ACTEM Conference! #ACTEM26

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8:00am EDT

Little Lifts, Big Empathy: Designing Practical and Purposeful Project-Based Learning Experiences

Friday October 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

After a conference full of ideas and inspiration, turning those notions into action can be challenging. Join this workshop to explore the 5E design thinking framework for structuring manageable learning experiences. Discover how we might stoke a spark from ACTEM into a bonfire of empathy-fueled innovation.

Speakers

Dan Ryder

Design Facilitator, CRCS Overman

Success & Innovation Center, Director. #SICMBC
Idea wrangler, design thinker, improviser, author, and award winning educator.
Apple Distinguished educator.
NEA Foundation’s 2018 Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence
Co-Author, INTENTION: Critical Creativity in the Classroom (Bl... Read More →

Friday October 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Penobscot

Teaching Strategies

9:10am EDT

Creating AI Tools for Your Classroom

Friday October 16, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am EDT

Penobscot

Empower your teaching with AI! In this hands-on session, explore how educators of all skill levels can use AI models and tools to design custom classroom apps and resources—no coding required. Discover how one teacher is creating solutions for her students and colleagues and learn how you can build what doesn’t yet exist. Free and subscription tools will be shared. All subjects, teachers, and devices welcome!

Speakers

Julie York

Career Prep & Tech Department Chair & Teacher, South Portland School Department

Julie York has been teaching computer science and media electives at South Portland High School in South Portland, Maine since she was hired in 2002. Hired to teach Video Production, she has gone on to develop and maintain many new classes for the school community that include Animation... Read More →

Friday October 16, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am EDT
Penobscot

1:10pm EDT

‘Vibe Code’ tools for learning with AI

Friday October 16, 2026 1:10pm - 2:10pm EDT

Penobscot

In this session you will vibe code your own custom tools ready for your classroom. We will cover best practices on the process and leave you with templates and resources to continue beyond the session.

Speakers

Kern Kelley

SLAM Coordinator / Technology Integrator, Regional School Unit #19

Starting his teaching career in New Zealand, Kern is presently the Technology Integrator at Regional School Unit #19 and Coordinator of the Student Leadership Ambassador program in central Maine. He has provided support to educators for over two decades and has conducted professional... Read More →

Friday October 16, 2026 1:10pm - 2:10pm EDT
Penobscot

2:20pm EDT

Compressed Air Rocket

Friday October 16, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm EDT

Penobscot

This session will show how you can do rocketry in your classrooms without the expensive Estes rocket engines. You will see how rocketry is being taught in grades 1st - 8th. How students are designing 3D printed rockets and doing multiple tests to gather data. Great for any aged students.

Speakers

David Davis

Technology Integrator/Teacher, Glenburn School

Jason Lanoie

STEM Teacher, Windham Middle School - RSU14

Friday October 16, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm EDT
Penobscot

Makerspace/STEAM/Project Based Learning

ACTEM2026

8:00am EDT

Dan Ryder

9:10am EDT

Julie York

1:10pm EDT

Kern Kelley

2:20pm EDT

David Davis

Jason Lanoie

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