ACTEM2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2026 ACTEM Conference! #ACTEM26

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8:00am EDT

Future Reading Librarians: Lightning Round

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

MASL representatives will present lightning round sessions based on the Future Ready Librarians Framework. These sessions will highlight innovative programs, collaborative practices, technology integration, literacy initiatives, and student-centered learning happening in Maine school libraries. Attendees will leave with fresh ideas and inspiration to strengthen their own library programs.

Speakers

Beth Andersen

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

Librarians

9:10am EDT

Play, Program, Ponder with Micro:Bits: Suss Out Bias in AI

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

Fort Western

Get ready to make AI literacy tangible! This hands-on workshop introduces school librarians and educators to a playful way to teach foundational AI concepts & digital citizenship to tweens. Using Micro:Bits and stuffies, participants will learn about machine learning, data sets, and algorithmic bias. You'll leave with a practical plan to demonstrate bias in AI using simple coding and the Micro:Bit's sensors. Prepare students to be ethical, informed AI creators and consumers! Bring a laptop.

Speakers

Gretchen Hartley

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

Librarians

1:10pm EDT

Panel: Role of AI In Libraries

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

Fort Western

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

Librarians

2:20pm EDT

Tech Trouble Tabletop Session: What Would You Do?

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

Fort Western

What happens when school initiatives come from the top down, AI policies are inconsistent, technology breeds bad habits, or parents push back on tech? In a tabletop exercise session, participants will examine digital dilemmas and tech-focused issues in schools today. Participants will develop realistic solutions that can be implemented in their own schools. Tech integrators, librarians, administrators, and teachers won’t want to miss this interactive session.

Speakers

Cathy Potter

Tech Integrator/Librarian, Falmouth Middle School

Tech Integrator & Librarian, Falmouth Middle School

Amy McInerney

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

Tech Integrators

8:00am EDT

AI Literacy with EduProtocols: Classroom-Ready for Monday!

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

Fort Western

Ready to move beyond AI talk and into AI literacy in action? In this high-energy, hands-on workshop, participants will experience brand new AI Literacy EduProtocols designed to build the knowledge, skills, and mindsets students need when using AI through creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and purposeful use. Expect fast-paced interaction, practical takeaways, and innovative, classroom-ready strategies that help students engage with AI in meaningful ways you can use on Monday.

Speakers

Kate Meyer

Instructional Innovation Specialist, Mount Desert Island High School

Kate Meyer is an instructional innovation specialist and high school English teacher in Bar Harbor, Maine, where she has taught for 25 years. From 2021 to 2023, she served as a Distinguished Educator with the Maine Department of Education. This position allowed her to travel throughout... Read More →

Nicole Davis

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

9:10am EDT

AI EduProtocols: Connect, Share, Strategize

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

Fort Western

In this energizing session, participants will experience one more brand-new AI Literacy EduProtocol and then spend time connecting with others, sharing strategies, swapping ideas, and discussing how to bring thoughtful AI literacy work into classrooms, schools, and districts. Come ready to talk, reflect, ask questions, and leave inspired with fresh ideas and practical next steps.

Speakers

Kate Meyer

Instructional Innovation Specialist, Mount Desert Island High School

Nicole Davis

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

1:10pm EDT

Serving our communities: Finding the authentic audience.

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

Fort Western

Students often ask, “Why are we learning this?” When the classroom teacher is the only one who sees student work, students often don’t see the real-world connections. In this session, we will explore technology tools and methods to create student projects that address problems in your school or community.

Speakers

Jeff Bailey

High School Technology/Computer Science Teacher, Mountain Valley HIgh School/RSU 10

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

Makerspace/STEAM/Project Based Learning

2:20pm EDT

East vs. West: AI Done Best

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

Fort Western

Join Google Champions Joe Marquez (CA) and Eric Lawson (ME) in this high-energy session moves beyond the AI hype to focus on a "Paramount moment" in education: shifting from a culture of "product" to a culture of "process." Discover how to transform AI from a "black box" into a transparent co-pilot for both staff and students. We’ll share a proven roadmap and framework that empower learners to use technology with conviction and integrity.

Speakers

Joe Marquez

Education Consultant

Joe Marquez, an influential figure in educational technology, hails from Clovis, California. His passion for education and technology began early, driving him to merge these interests in his career. Starting in the Clovis Unified School District, Joe quickly established himself as... Read More →

Eric Lawson

Director of Technology & Innovation, York Schools

Eric Lawson has been in education for over 25 years. He has been an elementary teacher, a technology integrator, an Admin Curriculum/Technology Integrator, and is currently the Director of Technology & Innovation for the York School Department in York, Maine. He has been published... Read More →

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

8:00am EDT

9:10am EDT

1:10pm EDT

2:20pm EDT

8:00am EDT

9:10am EDT

1:10pm EDT

2:20pm EDT

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