Flocking Amazing Podcast

ISTE23 in Philadelphia

I was lucky enough to present three times at ISTE this year along with helping several other presentations.  My presentations included Project Trix, micro:bit, and Scratch.
You can see me and my fellow #microbitChampion in this video Podcast at 26:20.

ISTE22 in New Orleans

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation was gracious enough to invite me to ISTE22.  My primary focus of the event was to man the booth in the exhibitor hall.  I spent each day introducing, discussing and engaging educators in the micro:bit.
It was a pleasure to meet many individuals in person who I had only interacted with on zoom.  Of those individuals were a large number of the micro:bit Champions, members of the micro:bit team and a variety of members of partners of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation.

Pete & C 2021

Pete&C 2021 was conducted virtually this year over 4 days.  I conducted a solo presentation on Personalized Learning.  The basics of personalized learning are not far from what we already do for students.  Check out the presentation resource below:
My second presentation was with the #GamifyED team and we shared a game of Invaders and Ladders!  Gamification is something many of us have tried and failed at.  Learn about the mistakes we have made and the solutions to those problems.

#KTICyber
Engagement in Online Learning

KTI has gone Cyber!  Since the conference could not be held in person this year, the Lead Learners got together to make it happen and what a week!  Over 600 people attended the conference.
I presented on the hot topic of Engagement in Online Learning. 
I also presented this for Preservice Teachers through KDP.
You can see the presentation below:

Pete&C 2020 in Pittsburgh

Pete&C 2020  was  hosted in Pittsburgh, PA this year as the Hershey Lodge is under renovation.  I  was fortunate to host three  presentations this conference.   First, I conducted a poster presentation on Building Programs for Authentic Experiences.  I showcased the work I did with students at  ISTE19.  Second, I repeated Bringing Mission to Making with my STEM teacher cohort.  Third, my Wonder group from the Keystone Technology Innovator Summit 2019 presented our work on Gamification in the Classroom in conjunction with John Meehan's Edrenaline Rush.  You can hear more about my experience on The Cyber Sisters podcast episode 

MakerEd in Pittsburgh

I was excited to present at the MakerEd Convening in Pittsburgh PA 2019.
What an honor to be part of this conference's first treck to  the East Coast!
I presented with a cohort of fellow STEM teachers on Maker Assessment.  Bringing meaning to making can come in many forms, but the common theme is what we see students get out of the experience.

KTI 2019 in Shippensburg

Keystone Technology Innovators is a group of extremely passionate educators supporting one another to make a big difference in the lives of students across Pennsylvania.
It is an honor to have been nominated and chosen to partake in this jam packed week.  The week featured a variety of innovations and educators.  The highlight being a jump into Gamification.

ISTE19 in Philly

ISTE19 was hosted in Philadelphia this year, which allowed me a unique opportunity.  In conjunction with the Downingtown Area Education  Foundation, I ran a 3 day intensive summer camp.  Day one, students learned about design thinking and coding.  Day two, students built their robots.  Day three, I put the kids in a van and brought them to Philadelphia to present their work to teachers from across the nation.

Workshops with WCU

SPSEA of WCU is a college level chapter of the Education Association.  I was a part of this organization in my undergrad and have enjoyed coming back to do workshops and partake in conferences. I have done workshops for this organization including Digital Portfolio Workshop, Teacher Panels, and discussions about Technology Integration.
I have also spoken to a other groups, organizations and classes including:
  • Rams for Reading
  • Community Service Ambassadors
  • Education Classes for Freshmen to Seniors

FETC in Orlando

I joined Kelsey Derringer in Miami Florida to present at FETC 2019.  Together we shared Birdbrain Technologies with people from all across the country.
At the beginning of the conference we conducted a workshop to introduce Hummingbird and discuss Computational Thinking tools.
While at the conference, we were able to attend playgrounds and held a Bots & Bevs experience at a local restaurant.

PETE & C in Hershey

In February 2019, I presented at the PETE & C.  My session was entitled Everyday Robotics, meant to expose educators to the idea that robotics can be used as a tool for everyday instruction.
We discussed an introduction to Robotics, how to introduce the concepts, and examples of robotics integration.
Participants also go to play with Hummingbird Robotics hands-on and experience the beginnings of an introduction lesson that could be used with students.

ISTE18 in Chicago

ISTE held their annual conference in Chicago, Illinois for 2018.  I was delighted to attend as part of the Birdbrain Technologies staff and share robotics with thousands of teacher, principals, and administrators.
Before ISTE, I spend a week in Pittsburgh, PA taking part in preparations for the event.  I worked in the office to assist in any way possible and was able to partake in PD with teachers.
The brand new Hummingbird Bit Controller was debuted.  At the South Fayette STEAM Innovation Summer  Institute we worked with a group of teachers and administrators for two days to code, build, and create with the Hummingbird Bit.
Pre-ISTE, Birdbrain took part in the Computer Science Firehose Pre-Conference event.  At this event we held two PD sessions over approx 5 hours.  One half of the room built sensor-rover based robot Parade Floats of their proudest moments.  The second half of the room took part in 1 hour self-guided PD to build their favorite childhood memory in a box.  All of these came together to create our booth in the Expo Hall entitled #TinyTown.  Please go on twitter to see more examples of #TinyTown.

Catalyze Learning in Pitt

Catalyze Learning Summer Institute was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in July 2018.  This intimate conference brought teachers together from several different states and countries.  We were able to learn more about Birdbrain Technologies robotics and focus in on integration.
I was very excited to be part of this team providing professional development for the event and supporting teachers in their ventures.  I provided workshops on Introduction to Hummingbird Bit Controller, Intro to Finch, and several Launchpad Sessions.
While it was very exciting to focus on robotics at this conference, the message of the conference was more directly related to integration and curriculum.  Teachers were guided through thinking and given many opportunities to discuss and create change in their ways of thinking and curriculum.

Scratch@MIT

The Scratch@MIT conference was held in Cambridge, MA at the MIT Media Lab.  Approximately 600 people from about 35 different countries came to learn and share about Scratch programming.
I attended the conference as part of a team of teachers using Design Thinking with Robotics in their classrooms.  The three other teachers who I co-presented with were from St. Ann'es-Belfield Schools in Charlottesville, VA.
Our presentation was focused on using Design Thinking models to guide students through experiences with coding and robotics.
See more about this presentation under the Prof Experience tab.

DASD in Pittsburgh

A Group of Educators from our district went out to visit Innovative Schools in Pittsburgh, PA.  Our visit included the following schools:
-Elizabeth Forward School District www.efsd.net/
-Montour School District www.montourschools.com/
-South Fayette School District www.southfayette.org/

I also spent time with Brittany Schwab, Mobile STEM Lab Teacher, at Birdbrain Technologies learning more about Birdbrain Technologies Hummingbird product and lessons.

Hackathon in VA

I was very excited to join St. Anne's-Belfield School in Charlottesville, V, as a representative of Birdbrain Technologies, for SPARK! Hackathon.
This weekend long event hosts high school students from around the area to learn about design thinking and problem solving.  Then, they take this knowledge to solve a real world problem with a team presented by local business stakeholders.
I taught 2 workshops for students, connected with teachers, and then learned and enjoyed the experience of Hackathon! spark.stab.org/
This venture was so successful, I will join several educators from STAB at SCRATCH@MIT 2018 this summer.

DETC 2018

As a departmentalized, 4th grade, ELA teacher I created a Robotics Unit for Unit 2 of Wonders.  The unit involved students:
  • reading nonfiction texts
  • conducting a research project in conjunction with library
  • writing an informational essay
  • creating a google slides presentation in conjunction with library
  • Creating a 3D animal equip with BirdBrain Hummingbird Robotics
I presented this project at the Downingtown Educational Technology Conference in September 2017 as The 3Rs: Reading, Robotics, and Reflection.
The unit was comprised of an integration of subject areas and standards from across the curriculum.
Take a look at my presentation