2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference

This presentation will explore the transformative power of student-driven learning in fostering sensemaking in the classroom. Drawing on practical examples and research-based insights, the presentation will highlight how student-centered strategies, supported by technology like Nearpod, can empower students to take ownership of their learning, develop critical thinking skills, and construct meaningful understanding.

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

In an era where personalized support is more critical than ever, Utah is leading the way in using data-driven tools to reach and teach every student. This session will explore the state’s implementation of Panorama Student Success as a statewide Early Warning System (EWS), designed to proactively identify students who may be at risk of falling off track and ensure timely, targeted interventions.
Schools and districts across the state are using Panorama Student Success to monitor key indicators such as attendance, behavior, and coursework in one centralized platform. This system empowers educators with real-time, actionable insights to support students.
Attendees will learn how Panorama Student Success aligns with Utah’s broader vision for supporting a positive and safe school culture, and hear examples of how educators are using this tool to build intervention plans, collaborate across teams, and ensure no student falls through the cracks. We’ll also highlight the importance of cross-district collaboration and state leadership in scaling an EWS that serves student populations statewide.
Whether you’re exploring how to strengthen your own student support systems or looking to build a similar initiative, this session will offer practical takeaways, lessons learned, and inspiration from Utah’s ongoing journey to reach every student, every day.

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: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop

Join us for an interactive session where you'll discover Mission.io, the ultimate learning adventure that’s free for all rural schools! We’ll guide you through setting up your account, launching your first student mission, and exploring data that shows how schools using Mission.io see RISE scores improve at twice the rate.

This isn’t just another ed-tech tool, it’s a game-changing experience that blends immersive learning with real-world application. Watch as students become engaged problem-solvers, mastering concepts in a way that sticks.

Come ready to explore, set up your school’s free access, and see firsthand how Mission.io is transforming education. Your students are ready for liftoff, are you? 🚀

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: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, Chromebook

Rural Utah STEM: Let's tackle real challenges together. In just 45 minutes, we'll explore key insights from the National Academies' report on "K-12 STEM Education and Workforce Development in Rural Areas."

We'll focus on two crucial areas: supporting our valued rural STEM educators and enhancing student STEM learning experiences. Discover practical strategies for recruitment, retention, and professional development. We'll also discuss how to create engaging, place-based learning opportunities and build pathways connecting education to local workforce needs.

This session is about sharing ideas and starting conversations. We'll take a quick dive into the report's recommendations and begin to brainstorm actionable steps for our specific context. You'll leave with a few key takeaways and a renewed perspective on strengthening STEM education in your rural community. Join us to connect, collaborate, and explore possibilities.

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 10 at 11:10 am in Room 137.

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

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

In this session we will unpack the Utah Computer Science Standards for grades K-2. Using Sphero INDI robots we will practice hands-on CS aligned activities that will introduce concepts such as algorithms, programming, and computational thinking to your students.

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: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, Chromebook

Join us for an engaging professional development session focused on integrating the three dimensions of science—Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices—into your classroom. In this hands-on workshop, participants will step into the role of students as they experience a high school chemistry lesson on equilibrium and pool chemistry, designed by fellow educators. This interactive approach will highlight how the three dimensions work together to deepen student understanding.

This professional development is perfect for educators looking to elevate their science instruction, promote student inquiry, and foster a deeper understanding of scientific principles. Leave with practical ideas and resources to make the three dimensions of science an integral part of your teaching.
https://3drst.byu.edu/

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

Rural Utah STEM: Let's tackle real challenges together. In just 45 minutes, we'll explore key insights from the National Academies' report on "K-12 STEM Education and Workforce Development in Rural Areas."

We'll focus on two crucial areas: supporting our valued rural STEM educators and enhancing student STEM learning experiences. Discover practical strategies for recruitment, retention, and professional development. We'll also discuss how to create engaging, place-based learning opportunities and build pathways connecting education to local workforce needs.

This session is about sharing ideas and starting conversations. We'll take a quick dive into the report's recommendations and begin to brainstorm actionable steps for our specific context. You'll leave with a few key takeaways and a renewed perspective on strengthening STEM education in your rural community. Join us to connect, collaborate, and explore possibilities.

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 10 at 9:45 am in Room 137.

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

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

Explore coding through hands-on, screen-free activities using everyday materials. This session equips educators with strategies to teach algorithms, sequencing, and problem-solving. Gain ready-to-use activities that develop critical thinking and collaboration in diverse classrooms, enhancing coding skills with analog tools in an engaging way.

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

Nearing the completion of year two of a five-year initiative, the STEM Action Center (STEM AC), in partnership with the UEPC - Utah Education Policy Center, developed STEM Education Innovators (SEI) program—a statewide professional learning cohort designed to support secondary STEM educators (grades 6–12) in growing their capacity across four key areas: teacher leadership, STEM integration, content knowledge, and addressing a local STEM-focused problem of practice.

This interactive one-hour session will showcase the SEI learning design, which blends long-term, job-embedded professional learning with personalized support. Attendees will hear directly from current SEI teacher leaders, explore the cohort’s learning experiences, and examine the systems-level design that sustains educator growth over time.

The session will also provide a preview of the elementary SEI cohort, launching in Fall 2027, and highlight ways school and district leaders can support educators in leveraging the SEI experience to foster STEM instructional improvement, leadership development, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Designed for school and district leaders, instructional coaches, and K12educators, this session offers insights into how the SEI model can support their capacity for high-impact STEM teaching and learning. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of the SEI framework and how ongoing professional learning supports strengthen and build STEM knowledge and capacity among K12 teacher leaders.

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

Step into the world of engineering with Sphero Blueprint! This hands-on workshop utilizes Sphero Blueprint Build Kits to make engaging with mechanical and structural engineering fun and accessible to all. Blueprint serves as a classroom tool to make engineering education come to life, allowing students to quickly build, test, and learn engineering concepts

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

Join Utah math teacher Craig Ogden as he shares how he transformed his LMS into a powerful platform for delivering high-quality math instruction. Moderated by Duane Call from Derivita, this session dives into the classroom challenges Craig faced, how he customized instruction to match his teaching style and student needs, and the results he’s seeing. From independent practice to whole-class discourse, discover how your LMS can elevate math instruction, lighten your workload, and boost student success.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Tablet or smart phone from any provider.

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Android Tablet / Smartphone, iPad / iPhone, Windows Tablet / Smartphone

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

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