2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference: Full Schedule

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Full URSA 2025 Session Schedule will be published here NO LATER than June 1. Please check back soon!

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9:45am MDT

Unlock Creativity in Your Classroom with Adobe Express

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

Room #234

Are you ready to bring learning to life in your upper elementary classroom? Join our engaging, hands-on presentation on Adobe Express and discover how easy it is to create stunning visuals, videos, and interactive projects—no design experience needed!
What You’ll Learn:
How to craft eye-catching lesson materials in minutes
Fun, student-friendly projects like digital book reports & science posters
Time-saving templates that make teaching easier & more exciting
Best practices for seamless classroom integration
Why Attend?
Boost student engagement & creativity
Gain practical, ready-to-use classroom tools
Walk away with your own Adobe Express masterpiece!
Don’t miss out! Join us and turn your classroom into a hub of creativity & innovation!

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Must have Laptop, Mac or Tablet

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, Chromebook

Speakers

Lisa Perry

Educator/Tech Coach, Terra Academy

I am a passionate 5th-grade educator with 13 years of teaching experience, All of those in rural Utah. I strongly advocate for literacy, math, and technology, using hands-on projects, Thinking Classroom strategies, and digital tools like Adobe Express to engage my students and build... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #234 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required., Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Educational Technology
Subject Area Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, STEM / STEAM
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level 3 - 4, 5 - 6

9:45am MDT

How to Solve the AI Plagiarism Problem: Process over Product

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

Room #233

ChatGPT spawned the massive issue of "AI plagiarism." Research shows 44% of secondary students are likely to use AI to do their schoolwork instead of doing it themselves. AI detectors fail to reliably catch this problem. What to do? Assess writing as a process, not just the paper! Scrible prevents AI plagiarism by making the entire writing process visible to teachers. It does for writing what we've always asked students to do in math - show your work. Come learn how this pedagogically sound approach - “process over product” - safeguards authentic learning and academic integrity.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable

Speakers

Shilpa Duvoor

Head of Customer Success, Scrible

Shilpa has over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, school leader, leadership coach, and a customer success leader in edtech startups. She has worked with innovative ed tech companies and districts all over the United States. She is the Head of Customer Success at Scrible... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #233 1759 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Educational Technology, Leadership, Instructional Coaching, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
Subject Area Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Special Education
Audience All of the above
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

9:45am MDT

The Exploratorium

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 12:00pm MDT

Room #133

Welcome to the Exploratorium! Join us as we show you how to upgrade student learning stations into enriched learning experiences. The Exploratorium model invites students to dive deeper into their educational quests through the vibrant realms of artistic exploration and theatrical play. In this session we will highlight four Exploratorium stations including Creature Creation, Sound Booth, Crime Scene, and Design Lab. As a bonus, we’ll also be highlighting the Presentation Station where students can share their newfound knowledge through an informance.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable

Speakers

Sharla Arnold

Theatre Arts Integration Specialists, Lone Peak Elementary

Sharla received her Bachelor of Science in Theatre Arts from Southern Utah University in 2001. She has experience working both behind the scenes and on stage at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, where she performed in their educational tour of MacBeth. In 2020, she completed her coursework... Read More →

Cassie Walker

BTS art teacher, Lone Peak Elementary

Cassie Walker is an art educator with over 11 years of teaching experience. She currently works as a BTS Arts teacher in Canyons School District, where she has taught for the past nine years. Cassie has an MA in arts education and a BS in elementary education. Before her current role... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #133 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Science
Audience Teachers
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6

11:00am MDT

PBL Reimagined - Unleashing Student Potential through EdTech & Community Impact

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Room #232

Engaging students through a project-based learning (PBL) approach allows them to take an active role in their education, fostering curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking. In this workshop, we will explore the research behind PBL and examine its real-world applications in the classroom.

Participants will begin by reviewing key studies that highlight the benefits of PBL, including increased student engagement, deeper content retention, and improved problem-solving skills. We will also examine examples of PBL projects and implementation, analyzing what makes these projects effective and how they can be adapted for different subjects and grade levels.

This session will also provide practical strategies for incorporating PBL into daily instruction, regardless of constraints such as time, curriculum requirements, or student readiness. Educators will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, brainstorm project ideas, and apply a framework for designing meaningful, student-driven learning experiences.

Additionally, we will discuss ways to integrate emerging technologies, including AI tools, to enhance PBL and support students in their inquiry process. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with concrete strategies and resources to create engaging, inquiry-based learning environments that empower students to take ownership of their education.

Whether you are new to PBL or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide valuable insights and tools to make project-based learning a transformative experience in your classroom.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable

Speakers

Lora Gibbons

Senior Technical Trainer, UEN - Utah Education Network

Lora Gibbons is a UEN trainer dedicated to helping educators create exciting learning experiences for their students. Lora earned a master's degree in Instructional Design and Educational Technology from the University of Utah and a bachelor's degree in Biology Composite Teaching... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #232 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Educational Technology, Utah Core Curriculum, Instructional Coaching
Subject Area Science, STEM / STEAM
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

11:00am MDT

USETS - Your toolkits of One-Pagers Elevating Science

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Room #134

Feeling overwhelmed by the shift to phenomenon-based science? We've got you covered! Join us to explore a curated library of one-page tools developed by USBE and State Science Education Leaders, specifically designed to support Utah educators. These concise resources offer clear descriptions, practical rubrics, and valuable resources to help you implement three-dimensional science in your classroom. Discover how to reach and teach every student with these powerful, easy-to-use tools.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Device to access internet and google docs

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable

Speakers

Milo Maughan

Secondary Science Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Milo Maughan is the Secondary Science Education Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. With a strong background in physics and a passion for innovative teaching methods, Milo has been instrumental in developing and implementing science standards that engage and inspire students... Read More →

Michelle Berg

Science/STEM Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Michelle Berg is a passionate educator and STEM champion with over 16 years of experience in education. She is dedicated to fostering wonder, sense-making, and problem-solving in learning experiences for all students. Michelle has served in various roles, including elementary educator... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #134 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum, Instructional Coaching
Subject Area Science
Audience Teachers, All of the above
Grade Level All Grade Levels

11:00am MDT

Utah Science Assessment Updates

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Room #234

Change happens, and there have been some changes in science assessment in Utah. Come hear about the updates and have all of your questions answered.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Various ways to access the internet

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any way to access the internet

Speakers

Samantha Tinkey

Secondary Science Assessment Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #234 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum, Assessment & Data Management
Subject Area Science
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level 3 - 4, 5 - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

11:00am MDT

HELP! My Students Can't Write...Advancing Thinking Through Writing K-5

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Room #137

Are your students struggling to write? We will look at the Science of Writing, LETRS strategies, and use a guide to advancing thinking through writing in all subjects and grades. You will leave with a pacing guide and hands on experience for explicitly teaching sentence skills and paragraph skills K-5. We will focus on carefully sequencing instruction, building from sentences to compositions. Using sentence builders, four square writing method, Dr. Anita Archer explicit instruction strategies, and The Writing Revolution you will leave with a clear understanding of how to intentionally plan writing across all subject areas. The Writing Revolution (TWR) provides a clear method of instruction that you can use no matter what subject or grade level you teach.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable, Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop

Speakers

Amy Mahoney

Prek-12, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Amy is a Learning Coach at Northeastern Utah Educational Services that supports PreK-12th grade. Amy provides on-going professional learning for teachers, paraprofessionals, building coaches, administrators and district directors. She engages in coaching cycles, PLCs, and science... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #137 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required., Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.