ACTEM2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2026 ACTEM Conference! #ACTEM26

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8:00am EDT

Creating Classroom Apps and Games with Canva AI

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

Transform ideas into interactive classroom apps and games using Canva’s AI-powered tools! Join an EdTech Coach and a 7th-grade teacher to explore real-world examples, navigate the creation process, and refine your builds. This session includes a 30-minute walkthrough, 15 minutes of hands-on "maker time" on your own device, and a 10-minute gallery walk to share successes and troubleshoot challenges. Leave with a ready-to-use digital resource for your students!

Speakers

Stephen Avery

Instructional Tech Coach, MSAD 6 - Bonny Eagle

Sarah Bennett

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

Tools

12:10pm EDT

Nosh & Network: The Tech Integrator’s Open Lunch

Thursday October 15, 2026 12:10pm - 1:10pm EDT

Cumberland

Are you the 'go-to' tech champion in your district? Join us for an informal lunch to connect with fellow integrators from across the state. This is an open call to swap stories, share resources, and network with others walking in your shoes.

Why Join?
>Build your professional learning network (PLN).
>Discuss common challenges in a relaxed setting.
>Connect with the ACTEM community over good food.

Come for a spot to nosh, stay for the networking!

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 12:10pm - 1:10pm EDT
Cumberland

Tech Integrators

1:10pm EDT

The PD Playbook: Designing A Summer Tech Course

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

Cumberland

Join tech integrators from the Yarmouth School Department to get the "Playbook" for a successful, teacher-led Summer Tech Course. We’ll break down our logistical framework, high-interest curriculum, and credit-earning structure. From planning to execution, learn how to design a sustainable model that boosts staff proficiency and honors summer break. Walk away with a toolkit of ideas to launch a high-impact summer tech program in your own district next year!

Speakers

Todd Abbott

Technology Integrator PreK-5, Yarmouth Schools

Jen Adams

Instructional Technology Integrator, Yarmouth High School

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

Tech Integrators

3:30pm EDT

Raffles & Awards

Thursday October 15, 2026 3:30pm - 4:15pm EDT

Cumberland

Thursday October 15, 2026 3:30pm - 4:15pm EDT
Cumberland

ACTEM

8:00am EDT

Smart Greenhouses: A Transdisciplinary Approach to CS

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

Cumberland

Transdisciplinary Learning integrates two or more disciplines to answer a driving question or solve a problem. MMSA's Smart Greenhouses Project combines plant science and CS to automate desktop greenhouses, building student skills in both areas while revealing real-world CS applications. In this session, hear how educators have used this project to increase students' skills and self-efficacy in computer science.

Speakers

Stefany Burrell

Nonprofit, Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance

I am MMSA's Computer Science Team Lead and the Project Manager for the Smart Greenhouses project, Maine State Science Fair, and Maine Middle School Science & Engineering Fair. I'm a big believer in hands-on and project-based learning, where students are challenged to be curious, creative... Read More →

Rachael Dektor

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

Teaching Strategies

9:10am EDT

3D Printing Showcase with The Perloff Family Foundation

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

Cumberland

Join educators from across the state of Maine who have successfully used grant funding from the Perloff Family Foundation to scale impact of 3D printing projects across their schools.

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

Makerspace/STEAM/Project Based Learning

1:10pm EDT

Elevate STEM Nights as a PD Opportunity

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

Cumberland

STEM Nights are highlights of the school year, helping families, businesses, and community members understand how Computer Science (CS) is integrated into school curricula. The STEM Workforce Ready project has explored ways to elevate these engaging community events by inviting educators who are not typically integrating CS, and leveraging the events as professional development. Learn about what they’ve discovered and hear where they are going next in this panel discussion.

Speakers

Becky Tapley

STEM Education Specialist, MMSA

Becky Tapley is a STEM Education Specialist at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance. She serves as the Project Manager of the STEM WorkForce Ready 2030 project, as well as a math consultant and ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) coach.After growing... Read More →

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

Other

2:20pm EDT

Build Your Own AI: Creating Custom Apps with Playlab

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

Cumberland

Stop just using AI and start building it! This hands-on session introduces Playlab, a platform for creating custom, text-based AI apps tailored to your classroom. We’ll blend live demos with workshop time so you can build a functional tool in real-time.

You will learn to:
> Navigate the Playlab interface.
> Design custom prompts for educational tasks.
> Share your apps with colleagues.

Walk away with the skills to turn your best teaching ideas into interactive AI tools.

Speakers

Susie Simmons

Instructional Tech Coach, MSAD 6 - Bonny Eagle

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

8:00am EDT

12:10pm EDT

1:10pm EDT

3:30pm EDT

8:00am EDT

9:10am EDT

1:10pm EDT

2:20pm EDT

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