ACTEM2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2026 ACTEM Conference! #ACTEM26

Share your pictures from #ACTEM26

8:00am EDT

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

Use Canva to create easy website design for any subject. Learn to use the magic of Canva creation to bring authenticity to student projects. 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 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Capital

Tools

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

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

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

10 Copyright Concerns for AI-using Teachers

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

Capital

Generative AI makes it easier and faster than ever before for teachers to create everything from engaging animated lessons to lesson plans for sale on TPT. However, recent federal court decisions have shown that generative AI users are not exempt from claims of copyright infringement. This presentation will offer ten short lessons on why teachers should be concerned about about copyright and how to use generative AI without running afoul of copyright law.

Speakers

Richard Byrne

Byrne Instructional Media, LLC

I am a former high school social studies teacher best known for developing this blog. I taught for eight and a half years at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in South Paris, ME. During that time I piloted 1:1 laptop use before the program went school-wide. I coordinated a "laptop... Read More →

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

9:10am EDT

NotebookLM and the Mentor Mindset

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

Capital

NotebookLM is a powerful tool for educators, offering complete control over sources and engaging students with complex material. This session will focus on high school applications, demonstrating how to make complex texts more accessible, student made study sets, and strategies for self-teaching. It includes workshop time for exploration and personal application. Bring a computer and a collaborative mindset!

Speakers

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.

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

Teaching Strategies

1:10pm EDT

Lights, Camera, AI

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

Capital

Video is the language of the modern world, but editing shouldn't be a chore. Discover Google Vids, the AI-powered storytelling assistant that turns brainstorms into professional videos in minutes. Learn to use AI storyboarding, automated voiceovers, and seamless Workspace integration to flip your classroom or revitalize school communications. Whether you're a teacher or tech leader, see how Google Vids makes content creation effortless.

Speakers

Eric Huntington

Technology Integrator, Cape Elizabeth Middle School

I am currently the technology integrator at Cape Elizabeth Middle School. I teach 8th grade technology and 6th grade digital wellness. This is my 18th year as an educator and I live in Portland, ME!

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

2:20pm EDT

Authentically ME: Helping Educators Find Their Writing Voice

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

Capital

Discover simple, classroom‑tested strategies that help educators find their voice and turn lived experience into meaningful writing. We’ll use a design‑thinking lens to clarify ideas, shape structure, and build confidence—tools you can use for your own book projects or to support student writers.

Speakers

Jacqueline Gardy

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

Teaching Strategies

8:00am EDT

9:10am EDT

1:10pm EDT

2:20pm EDT

8:00am EDT

9:10am EDT

1:10pm EDT

2:20pm EDT

Get help with the event