2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to URSA 2025 at Park City High School!

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9:45am MDT

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102

Move beyond static slides and embrace active learning! Join us for an immersive look into Canva’s Magic Studio. We’ll show you how to use Magic Media and Magic Design to transform K-12 lessons into personalized, interactive experiences. Plus, discover "next level" tools like Magic Activities, Canva Sheets, and Code for me—empowering students to build apps and games without writing code. Turn students into creators and unlock a world of magic that makes school future-ready.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Android Tablet / Smartphone; iPad / iPhone; Windows Tablet / Smartphone; Chromebook

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

Speakers

Kayla Towner

Senior Product Trainer, UEN - Utah Education Network

Kayla Towner is a Senior Product Trainer at the Utah Education Network (UEN) and, first and foremost, a passionate educator. She loves spending time with her family—playing soccer ⚽️, reading books 📚, hiking 🥾, and adventuring across Utah 🏔️. Kayla is dedicated to... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area 3-4, 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level Other, Not Applicable

9:45am MDT

Patterns & Partnerships

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT

BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103

🧠 Format Alert: This is an immersive, 2-hour deep-dive workshop designed for intensive, uninterrupted coverage of this topic.

Come engage with hands-on, phenomenon-based, 3D investigations and lesson plans that explore Utah’s mountain ecosystems. Covering all Sixth Grade life science SEEd standards 6.4.1-6.4.5, this bin includes customizable curriculum, over 100 specimens, drone footage, scientific tools, and more! The bins are reusable resources located at districts and service centers statewide and are available at no cost to Utah public schools (district and charter).

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None

Speakers

Heather Paulsen

Teacher Resource Coordinator, Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

Heather has over 20 years of experience in both formal and informal education K-12. Most of that has been spent in informal science education working with statewide programs that include outreach, teacher resources, professional development and writing curriculum to support state... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
Subject Area 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8
Audience Teachers, Curriculum Specialists, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level Science, STEM / STEAM

11:10am MDT

We can help your students learn more about engineering.

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level)

Come learn about the resources we can provide you to help your students learn more about engineering. We have hands on activities, summer research internships, summer camps, discover engineering traveling exhibit and engineering day. We also have lesson plans and teacher checkout materials. https://www.price.utah.edu/k12https://www.price.utah.edu/discover-engineeringhttps://www.price.utah.edu/k12/lesson-plans

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None

Speakers

Morgan Boyack

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Subject Area 3-4, 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12, Elementary - grades K - 6
Audience Teachers, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level STEM / STEAM

11:10am MDT

Exploring Utah's Writing Benchmark Platform

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122

With Utah's transition to a new formative writing platform, educators have access to a brand-new suite of tools designed to streamline the writing process and enhance student growth. We will move beyond the basics of administration and dive into the instructional tools available to teachers and students. Participants will get hands-on experience navigating the interface, utilizing the platform's evaluation tools to support students during the writing process, and accessing data reporting features to drive meaningful student-centered conversations. Learning Intentions: By the end of this session, participants will be able to:Navigate the New Interface: Locate essential tools and confidently navigate the teacher and student dashboards.Utilize Built-In Tools: Understand how to leverage the platform's built-in tools to provide timely, actionable support and feedback to students during the writing process.Analyze Actionable Data: Interpret the platform's reports to identify trends, guide instructional decisions, and facilitate collaborative student-centered discussions.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Speakers

Dallas Brooks

Elementary ELA Assessment Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Dallas holds a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction as well as a K-12 Reading Endorsement. She has served as both an elementary teacher and a Title I Coordinator, bringing over a decade of experience in supporting student achievement. In her current role, Dallas specializes... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Subject Area 3-4, 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level Language Arts

1:30pm MDT

From Data to Insights: Monitoring Student Achievement Over Time via Utah RISE

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level)

Transforming raw assessment data into actionable instructional strategies can often feel like a daunting task. However, the key to unlocking continuous student growth lies in understanding the long-term trends hidden within these numbers. This session is designed to empower educators with the practical skills needed to navigate and maximize the Utah RISE Reporting platform (utahrise.org).During this presentation, we will explore critical features of the RISE Reporting platform. First, we will dive deep into the strengths and weaknesses view. This tool allows teaching teams to dissect specific reporting categories, providing the targeted insights necessary to critically evaluate and refine the scope and sequence of classroom instruction.Second, participants will learn how to effectively utilize the longitudinal view. By tracking a specific cohort’s scores across multiple academic years, educators can identify overarching growth patterns and evaluate the long-term impact of their educational strategies.Join us to bridge the gap between compliance-driven testing and meaningful pedagogical improvement. You will leave equipped with the analytical tools to monitor achievement effectively and make data-driven decisions that foster lasting academic success.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

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

Speakers

Brooke Anderson

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, 3-4, 5-6
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level Language Arts, Mathematics

1:30pm MDT

Art Tools and Teacher Tricks

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT

GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306

🧠 Format Alert: This is an immersive, 2-hour deep-dive workshop designed for intensive, uninterrupted coverage of this topic.

Looking to bring more creativity into your classroom without the mess or stress? In this hands-on workshop, elementary classroom teachers will learn practical tips and tricks for confidently using and managing basic art supplies. From watercolors to oil pastels colored pencils and more, we’ll explore what’s worth buying, what to skip, and how to get the most out of the supplies you already have. How can you use and manage these supplies more effectively?Participants will learn art hacks for the classroom that will minimize chaos and maximize instructional time. We’ll also cover easy-to-teach techniques that help students use supplies correctly and responsibly, saving money and reducing waste. Whether you’re art-loving or art-avoidant, you’ll leave with ready-to-use strategies that make creative activities smoother, more efficient, more successful and more engaging.Perfect for any teachers who want big creative impact with basic supplies!

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None

Speakers

Liz Brown

BTS Arts Integration Coach

Liz Brown is a BTS Art Integration educator. She was the 2025 Utah Art Educator of the Year for the National Art Education Association and the 2024 Art Educator of the Year for the Utah Art Education Association. She is passionate about arts integration and children getting the opportunity... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
Subject Area PK - 2, Elementary - grades K - 6, 5-6, 3-4
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level Performing Arts / Visual Arts

2:50pm MDT

3D Science lessons- Gravity and Inertia

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level)

The presentation is on 3 dimensional science lessons.In Why the Moon Doesn’t Yeet into Space, students explore how gravity and inertia work together to keep the Moon in orbit around Earth. Using the Earth–Moon system as an anchor phenomenon, students investigate the driving question: What keeps the Moon from falling into Earth or flying off into space?Students begin by observing a simulation of the Moon orbiting Earth and sharing initial ideas. They then build background knowledge by reading about gravity and inertia and connecting these concepts to familiar experiences, such as a passenger continuing to move forward when a car suddenly stops. Through discussion and guided questioning, students deepen their understanding of inertia as forward motion and gravity as an attractive force.To model orbital motion, students use marbles and paper plates with gaps to represent gravity and inertia. As marbles roll around the plate and then exit through the opening, students observe how the marble continues in a straight line when the “gravitational pull” is removed. By testing marbles of different masses, students evaluate how well the model represents real orbital motion and identify its limitations.Students synthesize their learning by drawing and explaining a model that shows how gravity and inertia interact to keep the Moon in orbit. The lesson emphasizes developing and using models, identifying system interactions, and explaining unobservable mechanisms, aligning with Utah SEEd Standard 6.1.2 and NGSS expectations.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None

Speakers

Westen Miller

Teacher, North Sanpete School District

My name is Westen Miller. I am a 6th grade Math and Science teacher. I work for North Sanpete School District at Fairview Elementary. I am a teacher participant in the BYU 3D-rst program.

Kristine Erickson

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches, District / School Administrators
Grade Level Science

9:45am MDT

9:45am MDT

11:10am MDT

11:10am MDT

1:30pm MDT

1:30pm MDT

2:50pm MDT

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