ACTEM2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2026 ACTEM Conference! #ACTEM26

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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

9:10am EDT

Canva Game Center Generator

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

Arnold

Use Canva to create quick, easy, student managed game centers for any subject! Learn to use the magic of Canva creation to reduce your workload and engage students. Please bring laptops-- there will be practice time!

Speakers

Anna Bennett

4th / 5th Classroom Teacher, Buxton Center Elementary School

Patrick Sanborn

Instructional Coach, Buxton Center Elementary School

I have been an educator for 20 years. I have taught 2-5 grade and am now and Instructional Coach focusing on Math and Technology. We are Prek- 5 school with several special ed classrooms, behavior/compass, functional academics classrooms, and Life Skills classrooms as well. We have... Read More →

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

Tools

1:10pm EDT

Tech from the Ground UP! 21st Century Learning for All Ages

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

Arnold

Digital readiness starts with mindset—screens not required. Even our youngest learners can build the thinking skills for meaningful tech use. This session explores how to teach technology mindsets and 21st-century skills in developmentally appropriate ways for all learners. Leave with practical strategies to prepare students for a tech-rich world. Bring your device.

Speakers

Donna Netzer

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

Elementary School

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

6:00pm EDT

ACTEM After Hours

Thursday October 15, 2026 6:00pm - 11:00pm EDT

Arnold

Thursday October 15, 2026 6:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Arnold

ACTEM

8:00am EDT

Monster Making Mayhem: An Introduction to CompSci Basics

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

Arnold

Ditch the laptops and pick up the craft supplies, we are building monsters! In this hands-on workshop, educators dive into coding concepts like input, processing, and output by designing and “coding” their own creatures. This project blends creativity, collaboration, and unplugged computer science with natural connections to literacy and life science. Leave with a ready-to-use activity and the inspiration to bring STEM to life, no coding experience required!

Speakers

Ayana Klein

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

Makerspace/STEAM/Project Based Learning

9:10am EDT

Spooktacular STEAM: Haunted Houses, Tricks, Traps & Tech

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

Arnold

Speakers

Marci Klein

Curriculum and Product Designer, 3DuxDesign

Marci Klein, M.D. is a clinical and academic pediatrician with over 25 years of experience in early childhood development, education, and social-emotional health. She transitioned into education to create more engaging, deeper, and authentic learning experiences that support all learners... Read More →

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

Teaching Strategies

1:10pm EDT

Small Humans, Big Thinking: Real Inquiry in K–5

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

Arnold

Young learners are capable of far more than we often expect. This session challenges the myth that K–5 students are too young for inquiry-driven and project-based learning. Explore practical strategies for designing meaningful, hands-on experiences that build curiosity and critical thinking. Learn how to use technology with purpose—enhancing learning without overwhelming it—in today’s shifting, screen-conscious classrooms.

Speakers

Beth Heidemann

co-founder, lead educator, Go2Science

Presidential Award-Winning teacher and hula hoop enthusiast, Beth loves bringing real world science to kids! A graduate of College of the Atlantic Bar Harbor, Maine, she loves engineering challenges, technology, environmental education, and outdoor learning spaces. After 25 years... Read More →

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

Elementary School

2:20pm EDT

Engage, Create, Inspire: Canva Tricks for Everyone!

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

Arnold

Ready to make your teaching/instructional materials more engaging without spending hours designing? In this hands-on session (BYOD!), you’ll discover simple, powerful Canva tips that help you create eye-catching visuals in minutes. Whether you’re new to Canva or already dabbling, you’ll walk away with ready-to-use ideas that save time and boost engagement!

Speakers

Sonja Abbott

Sarah Wielki

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

Tools

8:00am EDT

9:10am EDT

1:10pm EDT

2:20pm EDT

6:00pm EDT

8:00am EDT

9:10am EDT

1:10pm EDT

2:20pm EDT

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