24th Annual Children’schildrensengineering.org/convention/Convention_Program.pdfthe Maker Movement. In 2015, she was awarded the Frank S. Manchester Award for Excel-lence in Journalism

24th Annual Children’s Engineering Convention

February 6–7, 2020

The Hotel Roanoke and Conference CenterRoanoke, Virginia

2020 Virginia Children’s Engineering Convention2

Welcome to the 24th Annual Virginia Children’s Engineering Convention!

VCEC is a unique event. There is no other professional development opportunity quite like it! We strive to provide teachers with the tools, projects, and inspiration to teach students to look at their world differently. Their classrooms become places of innovation and exploration, teaching problem-solving and perseverance alongside mathematics and writing.

I vividly remember the excitement I felt at my first VCEC Convention. Meeting other like-minded educators and seeing how they structured their classrooms to teach problem solving, analysis, and teamwork, among many other skills. I knew that children’s engineering was the missing link in my own classroom. I was immediately

inspired to try these new design challenges the very next Monday and made my family keep every paper towel roll and plastic bottle cap (they make great wheels!). We all went into this field to watch students have the lightbulb moment, where teaching and learning come together to create new understandings.

Children’s engineering is the fast-track to those moments! During the convention, I encourage you to catch the lightbulb moments in other educators, relighting the fire that inspired you to become a teacher in the first place.

Have a wonderful learning experience!

Kimberly Dempsey, NBCTVirginia Children’s Engineering Council PresidentAssistant Principal Little River Elementary SchoolLoudoun County Public Schools

Welcome to the 24th annual Virginia Children’s Engineering Convention!

2020 Virginia Children’s Engineering Convention 3

Focus ________________________________________________________________Technological Awareness

Featuring________________________________________________________________Hands-on teacher activitiesBest practice discussionEducational vendor exhibitsNetworking and sharing ideas

Goal________________________________________________________________To provide an opportunity for elementary-school educators to share successful experiences providing classroom activities that help children apply knowledge of mathematics, science, English, and history/social science through solving real-life problems associated with technology by: u exploring how to create, use, and control technology u using tools and materials to explore personal interests with technology and engineering u exhibiting self-confidence through the use of technology.

Virginia Children’s Engineering Council Board of Directors

First Row (from left): Katherine Mangum, Kimberly Dempsey, Kelley Davis. Second Row: LaKesia Foster, Lisa Brown, Shellye Wardensky, Dr. Charlotte Holter, Dr. Lynn Basham. Third Row: Barbara Westlund, Cindy Jones, Barbara Adcock, Elizabeth Kirk, Mohamad Barbarji. Fourth Row: George Willcox, Dr. Laquna Foster, Patricia Fazzi, Linda Harpine, Joseph Jackson, Ricky Bain, Joan Harper-Neely.


Keynote Speakers________________________________________________________________

Thursday, February 6 Luncheon Speaker________________________________________________________________

Jacie Maslyk

Jacie Maslyk is passionate about teaching and learning. She has served in public education for 20 years. An early implementer of STEAM and Making in schools, she currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent in the Hopewell Area School District and leads the movement for creativity and innovation in Beaver County with the establishment of the Innovation Learning Consortium.

Jacie Maslyk, EdD has worked in public education as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, elementary school principal and Director of Elementary Education. She is currently the Assistant Superintendent in the Hopewell Area School District. A successful school leader, she was recognized as a National Distinguished Principal

finalist in Pennsylvania in 2013 and 2014.

Jacie has presented at the local, state, and national level on many topics, including STEAM and the Maker Movement. She served as an Editorial Advisor for the National Association of Elementary School Prin-cipals (NAESP) Principal Magazine and has published a number of articles on Response to Intervention and Instruction, school leadership, the Common Core, STEAM education, and the Maker Movement. In 2015, she was awarded the Frank S. Manchester Award for Excel-lence in Journalism from the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). She is also the author of STEAMMakers; Fostering Creating and Inno-vation in the Elementary Classroom, a book that features many schools and organizations within the Remake Learning Network. A part of Remake Learning’s Expanding Innovation Project, Jacie is currently collaborating with educators from Quaker Valley and Propel Schools to build teacher leadership capacity around innovation. She is also working with the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit and Beaver County school district to establish a network of organizations who support creativity and innovative practices in schools.

Friday, February 7 Annual Breakfast Session ________________________________________________________________

Chuck English

Chuck English has designed, developed, and supported new and innovative pro-grams in schools, school districts and informal education centers in several states. He has worked in museums as an education director and taught science and sci-ence education from elementary school through college. As education centers, es-pecially informal education centers, are looking at new ways to engage and inspire their audience, Chuck’s work has evolved into program development, evaluation, and strategic planning. In his previous role as Director of Playful Learning at the


Science Museum of Virginia, Chuck worked to create programming both inside and outside the Museum to engage families in STEM learning, with particular focus on underserved audiences. In his new role as Virginia STEM Co-ordinator, Chuck is working to pull together the great wealth of opportunities and experiences across the Common-wealth associated with STEM. Many stakeholders are working hard to create enriching STEM experiences; however, they are often working in isolation. In his role, Chuck is working to ensure sure STEM efforts work collaboratively, sharing experiences, resources, and effort.

Friday, February 7 Awards Banquet Luncheon ________________________________________________________________

Rachael Mann

Rachael Mann is the founder of #TeachlikeTED and coauthor of The Martians in Your Classroom. She speaks and writes about the future of education and helps educators rethink the learning spaces of today. Prior to #TeachlikeTED, Rachael was the Network to Transform Teaching and STEM Profession-al Learning Director for Northern Arizona University’s AZK12 Center and State Director for Educators Rising Arizona. A former high school Career and Technical Edu-cation teacher and hailing from a family of educators, she

has 14 years of classroom teaching experience. Rachael is a Google Certified Educator with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She is a founding member of the Council on the Future of Education and serves on the NCLA Executive Board.


We are pleased to provide access to the convention app through WHOVA. Download it in the AppStore or on Googleplay. It will give you quick access to the full schedule, along with session descriptions. The app provides access to maps, networking with other attendees, and real time convention announcements! Make your convention experience complete by downloading the WHOVA app now!

Get the most out of the app and have a more productive experience!

NAVIGATE the event agenda and logistics, even without Wi-Fi or data. Access useful information like ridesharing to local attractions through the Community Board.

NETWORK effectively. Plan meetings by exploring attendee profiles and exchanging email.

PARTICIPATE in convention activities through session likes, comments, ratings, live polling, tweeting, and more.

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Thursday, February 6Breakout Session 1

(9:45-11 a.m.)

Appalachian DIVE-in Engineering and Design ProcessPam O’BrienGrade Level Focus: 3-6Students get engaged with practical and inquiry-based engineering experiences by using the DIVE-in method. Transform your classroom into an authentic makerspace with DIVE-in.

Brush Mountain STEAM and Coding Across the CurriculumFred WolfeGrade Level Focus: PreK-2In this session, we will cultivate educators’ knowledge, skills, and mindsets to lead STEAM and coding initiatives in their classrooms, libraries, clubs, and maker spaces.

Buck Mountain Learn How to Build a JellyBOX 3D PrinterLadislav Goc and Bruce TroutmanGrade Level Focus: 4-6Live demonstration of the JellyBOX 3D printer built from a do-it-yourself kit.

Crystal Ballroom A STEAM Anytime, AnywhereDavid Williams and Jenny ReasonerGrade Level Focus: PreK-5Learn how to engage students and their families in STEAM with Family STEAM Night, Home STEAM at Home Challenges, and STEAM at School Challenges.

Crystal Ballroom B iFailed, iPersisted, iNailed It!Chris Chamberlin and Teresa AmasiaGrade Level Focus: K-6 Teach your students that failure is not a bad word! See how Charlottesville city schools’ iSTEM program promotes the value of failure through engineering design.

Crystal Ballroom C STEAM for All SeasonsMindy Pastuszak and Brittany BallouGrade Level Focus: K-5 STEAM can incorporate technology like 3Doodler pens, recycled materials, or fit somewhere in between. Learn to make the most of available materials in all seasons.

Crystal Ballroom D Sweet STEAMTracy Terwilliger and Natalie StreetGrade Level Focus: K-5 Incorporate candy to enhance your STEAM lessons.

Crystal Ballroom E Easy Collaboration Activities with KEVA PlanksDr. Ken ScheelGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Learn powerful collaboration activities that are super easy to lead. Teamwork, leadership, design thinking, empathy, and relationships grow as people work together on common projects.


Harrison/Tyler Technologically Terrific!Megan Hudnall and Wendolyn OlivisGrade Level Focus: PreK-2 Learn how to use technology to engage students and enhance student engagement through STEM. Participants will have the chance to explore a STEM activity and learn how to use tech-nology to display their work to others.

Jefferson Virtual Engineering with MinecraftEduSherri Rickman, Tina Coffey, Meg Swecker, Ann Keith, Courtney Jones, and Holly IrelandGrade Level Focus: 1-6 Learn how MinecraftEdu can be used to support STEM and 21st century skills.

Madison Engineer Your Students’ CareerMichelle SeibertGrade Level Focus: K-6 Relate engineering activities to careers in the real world.

Mill Mountain A Tool, Not a ToyRachele Hirsch-Brooks and Alison EleyGrade Level Focus: K-5 Interact with Ozobots, Spheros, and other websites before developing at least one idea to use in your classrooms or educational settings.

Monroe Engineering Design Thinking and the Virginia SOLs (K-3)Jenilee Stanley-Shanks, Keara Chambers and Lori Floyd-MillerGrade Level Focus: 1-3 To encourage an innovative mindset, we have to give students the tools to think like designers. Get some hands-on practice with the engineering design cycle!

Peacock Alley Creativity LabKelley DavisGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Learn all about children’s engineering and how to introduce it into your classroom! Try hands-on activities and challenges, experiment with various tools, and collaborate with children’s engineer-ing friends!

Pocahontas A Mindfulness and STEAMAshley Nelson and Taylor AllenGrade Level Focus: K-5 Practice mindfulness in this session and learn how STEAM strategies can enhance your student’s understanding of method.

Pocahontas B Sparking Design Thinking with SpherosKrystle Demas and Morgan McMullinGrade Level Focus: K-5 Join two elementary technology coaches as they share how they use Spheros to spark design thinking from kindergarten to fifth grade.

Shenandoah A STEM-gineering for Early ElementaryRoxane Dupuis and Lauren HanahanGrade Level Focus: K-2 Experience active learning and research-based investigations that naturally lead to engineering. Receive workshop materials, readers, and online resources and strategies that you can use in your classroom tomorrow.


Shenandoah B STEM Activities to Teach All StudentsRyan Barter and Sarah RocheGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 STEM should be for all students. Learn strategies in this hands-on session to help support and enrich students of varying abilities and needs.

Taylor Project-based Learning for Every TeacherDeborah Diner and Cheryl MorganGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 One PBL teacher is great, but more is better! Walk away with ideas on how to implement PBL using all your school’s resources: special education, Title I, and more!

Tinker Mountain Presentation Choices: Too Many To ListMartha Taylor and Mara ZornesGrade Level Focus: PreK-5 Tired of tests? Explore some new and not-so-new ideas (i.e., clips, Chatterpix, Green Screen, iMovie, Stop Motion, co-spaces, Seesaw, etc.) for students to show their learning.

Washington Lecture Sharing Examples of STEM Integration Benefits in Classrooms and STEM Labs Across Virginia

April Peacock, Yvonne Richard, and Dawn HillisGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Participants will learn about successful design brief implementations, 100% pass rates on stan-dardized tests, and friendships that have been forged as a result of VCEC’s children’s engineering programs.

Wilson Engineering and Documenting Anatomically Correct Flower ModelsCarol Mahoney, Meredith Marcum, and Lydia Crooks Grade Level Focus: 2-4 Participants will design, build, test, and artistically document the pollen-transfer efficiency of recycled anatomically correct flower models.

Breakout Session 2 (11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

Allegheny Engineering byDesign TEEMS PreK-2Nancye Hart and Steve BarbatoGrade Level Focus: PreK-2Delve into the Engineering byDesign PreK-2 curriculum and think like a kindergartner as you design and build an underwater home.

Appalachian Engineering Design Challenges in the STEM ClassroomPam O’BrienGrade Level Focus: 2-6Investigate the engineering design process. Engineering design challenges bring authentic, re-al-world application of science concepts to life in your classroom.

Brush Mountain STEAM and Coding Across the CurriculumFred WolfeGrade Level Focus: 3-6In this session, we will cultivate educators’ knowledge, skills, and mindsets to lead STEAM and coding initiatives in their classrooms, libraries, clubs, and maker spaces.


Buck Mountain Project-based STEM Activities for All Elementary GradesGary Daniels and Mark WeissGrade Level Focus: PreK-6Explore hands-on activities that cover practical and theoretical lessons that allow students to develop active STEM learning skills.

Crystal Ballroom A STEAM Anytime, AnywhereDavid Williams and Jenny ReasonerGrade Level Focus: PreK-5Learn how to engage students and their families with Family STEAM Night, Home STEAM at Home Challenges, and STEAM at School Challenges.

Crystal Ballroom B iFailed, iPersisted, iNailed It!Chris Chamberlin and Teresa AmasiaGrade Level Focus: K-6 Teach your students that failure is not a bad word! See how Charlottesville city schools’ iSTEM program promotes the value of failure through engineering design.

Crystal Ballroom C STEAM for all SeasonsMindy Pastuszak and Brittany BallouGrade Level Focus: K-5 STEAM can incorporate technology like 3Doodler pens, recycled materials, or fit somewhere in between. Learn to make the most of available materials in all seasons.

Crystal Ballroom D Sweet STEAMTracy Terwilliger and Natalie StreetGrade Level Focus: K-5 Incorporate candy to enhance your STEAM lessons.

Crystal Ballroom E Easy Collaboration Activities with KEVA PlanksDr. Ken ScheelGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Learn powerful collaboration activities that are super easy to lead. Teamwork, leadership, design thinking, empathy, and relationships grow as people work together on common projects.

Harrison/Tyler Technologically Terrific!Megan Hudnall and Wendolyn OlivisGrade Level Focus: PreK-2 Learn how to use technology to engage students and enhance student engagement through STEM. Participants will have the chance to explore a STEM activity and learn how to use tech-nology to display their work to others.

Jefferson Best STEM in the General Education ClassroomScarlett KiblerGrade Level Focus: K-5 Learn how to effectively create project-based learning STEM activities to use in the general edu-cation classroom.

Madison Engineer Your Students’ CareerMichele SeibertGrade Level Focus: K-6 Relate engineering activities to careers in the real world.


Mill Mountain A Tool, Not a ToyRachele Hirsch-Brooks and Alison EleyGrade Level Focus: K-5 Interact with Ozobots, Spheros, and other websites before developing at least one idea to use in your classrooms or educational settings.

Monroe Engineering Design Thinking and the Virginia SOLs (4-6) Jenilee Stanley-Shanks, Keara Chambers, and Lori Floyd-MillerGrade Level Focus: 4-6 To encourage an innovative mindset, we have to give students the tools to think like designers. Get some hands-on practice with the engineering design cycle!


Pocahontas A Mindfulness and STEAMAshley Nelson and Taylor AllenGrade Level Focus: K-5 Practice mindfulness in this session and learn how STEAM strategies can enhance your student’s understanding of this method.

Pocahontas B Sparking Design Thinking with Spheros Krystle Demas and Morgan McMullinGrade Level Focus: K-5 Join two elementary technology coaches as they share how they use Spheros to spark design thinking from kindergarten to fifth grade.

Shenandoah A Engineering Made EasyRoxane Dupuis and Lauren HanahanGrade Level Focus: K-2 Students use solid materials to build towers (at least 45 cm tall), using the best objects and the best materials at each level of the tower to provide strength and stability. After building towers, students take the structures apart and use the same materials to construct bridges.

Shenandoah B STEM Activities to Teach All StudentsRyan Barter and Sarah RocheGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 STEM should be for all students. Learn strategies in this hands-on session to help support and enrich students of varying abilities and needs.

Taylor Project-based Learning for Every TeacherDeborah Diner and Cheryl MorganGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 One PBL teacher is great, but more is better! Walk away with ideas on how to implement PBL using all your school’s resources: special education, Title I, and more!

Tinker Mountain Presentation Choices: Too Many To ListMartha Taylor and Mara ZornesGrade Level Focus: PreK-5 Tired of tests? Explore some new and not-so-new ideas (i.e., clips, Chatterpix, Green Screen, iMovie, Stop Motion, co-spaces, Seesaw, etc.) for students to show their learning.


Washington Lecture Pop It Up!Elizabeth KirkGrade Level Focus: K-6 During this hands-on presentation, learn how paper engineering will enhance instruction across your curriculum. Learn how to make pop-ups, try them in several challenges, and receive design briefs to take with you.

Wilson Let’s Make It Interactive!Joseph Hawes, Kelly Rapoza, Stephanie TuttleGrade Level Focus: 2-5 Your students will use their voices and creativity to show what they know when they design and build talking plants and other elements of your curriculum.

Breakout Session 3 (2:15-3:30 p.m.)

Allegheny Engineering byDesign TEEMS PreK-6Nancye Hart and Steve BarbatoGrade Level Focus: PreK-6Explore the EbD PreK-6 course lessons and activities. Then, put on your fourth grade thinking cap and conduct an energy audit.

Appalachian STEAM at Your SchoolKatherine Ross and Meghan BarlowGrade Level Focus: PreK-6Make your school a STEAM school! We will share ways we infuse STEAM throughout the school on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis!

Bent Mountain Do Your Students Know Their STEM Identity? Cultivating Students’ Understanding of STEM Identity Through Robotics

Rob Williams and David EmeryGrade Level Focus: 1-6Learn how to define and help students to develop STEM identity through the use of interactive and innovative hands-on curriculum projects, including robotics.

Buck Mountain STEM on a CartDawn HillisGrade Level Focus: K-6No classroom? No problem. Learn how STEM on a cart can be a new adventure each day.

Crystal Ballroom A Creating a STEAM Culture on Any BudgetLaura Prymak and Jennifer SimpsonGrade Level Focus: PreK-6Looking for ways to create a STEAM culture in your classroom or school on a budget? Student engagement does not have to cost a fortune!

Crystal Ballroom B Seesaw Interactive Teacher TrainingLibby Routson and Tara StaceyGrade Level Focus: PreK-5 Hosted by Seesaw ambassadors, you’ll leave with teacher-tested tips and ideas to use tomorrow! Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you’ll find tips and tricks to pique your students’ interest.


Crystal Ballroom C Design Challenge Performance AssessmentsMarsha RogersGrade Level Focus: K-6 Integrate performance assessments and design challenges while using Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) draft rubrics. Then, expand on assessment practices by looking at alignment of performance assessments using the VDOE Performance Assessment Quality Criteria Tool.

Crystal Ballroom D Creating a STEM Career-minded School Community Emily FielderGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Explore strategies for creating a school community that embraces STEM career development as part of school culture. Hands-on learning and resources provided!

Crystal Ballroom E Remaking Literacy: Connecting English Language Arts and Maker LearningJacie MaslykGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Let’s “remake” our literacy practices by incorporating hands-on learning in every classroom. This session takes an innovative approach to literacy instruction by connecting STEAM and making to vocabulary, comprehension, and writing through children’s literature.

Harrison/Tyler Hands-on STEM in Middle SchoolJordan StackGrade Level Focus: 4-6 Get hands-on and learn about LEGO Education’s new middle school STEM, coding and robotics solution: SPIKE Prime.

Jefferson Best STEM Projects and Teaching TechniquesClifton Jones and Alisa RushingGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 In two minutes, share your best STEM project and teaching techniques verbally, as a handout, via a web link, or even through video that can be shared with teachers worldwide.

Madison STEM Intersections: Building an Interactive Rainforest ModelChristina Martin and Rebecca OsborneGrade Level Focus: 4-6 Middle school students create an interactive model of the Amazon rainforest. With sounds, infor-mation, and beautiful art, this model immerses every student in learning.

Mill Mountain Building with a Museum: Discover the Fun!Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor and Jennifer ColemanGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Learn from Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum educators how to create hands-on STEAM activities connected with literature.

Monroe STEM Buddies and Beyond Ann Mortimer and Stephanie PearsonGrade Level Focus: K-5 See how STEM fits elementary in this hands-on session and explore activities used with multi-grade classroom buddies.

Peacock Alley Creativity LabKelley DavisGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Learn all about children’s engineering and how to introduce it into your classroom! Try hands-on activities and challenges, experiment with various tools, and collaborate with children’s


engineering friends!

Pocahontas A Building the Sustainable City of the FutureMarci KleinGrade Level Focus: K-6 Architecture, urban planning, and design thinking as a platform for STEM education.

Pocahontas B Age-Appropriate Engineering Design for Early Childhood (PreK-2) Amanda GloverGrade Level Focus: PreK-2 Educators will explore the similarities and differences in age-appropriate engineering practices and design parameters for children PreK-2 through discussion, hands-on activities, and class-room videos.

Shenandoah A Science and Engineering Practices are Not a Stand-alone UnitRoxane Dupuis and Donna RalphGrade Level Focus: 3-5 Experience an active investigation that authentically incorporates the Science and Engineering Practices used to design and build models and systems while learning science content.

Shenandoah B Statewide STEM: Your Role in Virginia’s PlanChuck English and Dr. Tina ManglicmotGrade Level Focus: K-6 We will discuss Virginia’s unified vision for STEM, how it affects more than the lives of students, and ways we can lead that change.

Tinker Mountain Technology for LittlesAmelia Tuckwiller and Megan RidgleyGrade Level Focus: PreK-2 How can you use technology with your primary students? This session introduces technology tools, robots, apps, and more for students in grades PreK-2 to foster creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills .

Washington Lecture Using (T&E) DE&T to Improve Integrated STEM LearningRon Todd, Cliff Johnson, and John SeymourGrade Level Focus: K-3 We will consider that technology and engineering (T&E) involves designing, making, controlling, discussing, and improving objects and systems (and is delivered in what we call a DE&T ap-proach). We will touch on designing as “planning and considering human needs and wants.” We will then focus on the aspects of making and controlling to include how these can draw upon and enhance science and math learning.

Wilson Digital Escape RoomsScarlett Kibler Grade Level Focus: K-6 Student-created digital escape rooms make learning interesting and engaging. Explore ways in which you can help your students build content-related digital escape rooms.


Breakout Session 4 (3:45-5 p.m.)

Allegheny Engineering byDesign TEEMS Grades 3-6Nancye Hart and Steve BarbatoGrade Level Focus: 3-6Explore the EbD TEEMS grades 3-6 lessons and activities. Participants will interpret data and graphs to describe typical weather conditions expected during particular seasons.

Appalachian Viewing Literature Through STEM Rimmed GlassesMary Lisa Watts and Kelly TerryGrade Level Focus: 1-4Explore as we demonstrate how to easily incorporate virtual reality into your lessons. Several STEM stations will be offered for make-and-take opportunities.

Bent Mountain Technology Enhanced Problem-Based Activities in Your Literacy BlockAmber Kuelz and Megan YanceyGrade Level Focus: 2-5Learn how to purposefully integrate problem-based activities into your literacy block and reach all learners through the use of technology and Google Suite.

Brush Mountain Artfully Inspired in STEAM!Lynne Meredith Owen, Dianna Yolango, and Terri JeanesGrade Level Focus: 3-6Intrigued by the integration of arts in STEAM? Explore storytelling as arts integration while programming audio, capturing visual arts, and compiling arts-inspired stories. (Earphones are required for this session.)

Buck Mountain Seeing Engineering EverywhereHolly Lesko, Justine Brantley, and Tawni ParadiseGrade Level Focus: 1-6Participants will learn to facilitate affirming experiences where youth take apart, fix, or explore the function of objects that are meaningful and relevant to them.

Crystal Ballroom A Creating a STEAM Culture on Any BudgetLaura Prymak and Jennifer SimpsonGrade Level Focus: PreK-6Looking for ways to create a STEAM culture in your classroom or school on a budget? Student engagement does not have to cost a fortune!

Crystal Ballroom B Shake, Rattle, and Roll!Meg Swecker, Kelly Cook, and Lauren BootheGrade Level Focus: 5 Use pneumatics to build a working model of the Earth’s plates that include convergent, divergent and transform boundaries.

Crystal Ballroom C Missile Defense Agency STEM Professional Development OutreachYvonne RichardGrade Level Focus: K-6 Learn about the Missile Defense Agency’s STEM professional development outreach program in Huntsville, Ala., which is offered to a select group of 25 educators.


Crystal Ballroom D Creating a STEM Career-minded School Community Emily FielderGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Explore strategies for creating a school community that embraces STEM career development as part of school culture. Hands-on learning and resources provided!

Crystal Ballroom E Think Like a MakerJacie MaslykGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 How do you fuel curiosity and develop student thinking in hands-on ways? This session explores the engineering design process and easy-to-use strategies to develop a maker mindset in any elementary classroom.

Harrison/Tyler Hands-on STEM in Middle SchoolJordan StackGrade Level Focus: 4-6 Get hands-on and learn about LEGO Education’s new middle school STEM, coding and robotics solution: SPIKE Prime.

Jefferson Best STEM Projects and Teaching TechniquesClifton Jones and Alisa RushingGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 In two minutes, share your best STEM project and teaching techniques verbally, as a handout, via a web link, or even through video that can be shared with all VCEC attendees and teachers worldwide.

Madison Linking Science, Mathematics, and Literacy with Problem-based LearningCathy McAuley, Charlotte Trost, Jessica Smith, and Crystal TylerGrade Level Focus: 3-6 Learn how to plan, structure, and organize classrooms using problem-based learning (PBL). Motivate your students by solving relevant problems based on curriculum needs through engi-neering and literacy.

Mill Mountain Building with a Museum: Discover the Fun!Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor and Jennifer ColemanGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Learn from Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum educators how to create hands-on STEAM activities connected with literature.

Monroe Math and Phonics Aren’t Cheesy with Coding Mice Liz Lynch, Jamie Earnest, Lizzy Fulcher, and Emily HarrellGrade Level Focus: PreK-1 Coding mice are affordable tools to teach the fundamentals of coding and to practice math or reading skills. Explore the mice and create your own mat.

Peacock Alley Creativity LabKelley DavisGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Learn all about Children’s Engineering and how to introduce it into your classroom! Try out hands-on activities and challenges, experiment with various tools, and collaborate with children’s engineering friends!


Pocahontas A Building the Sustainable City of the FutureMarci KleinGrade Level Focus: K-6 Architecture, urban planning, and design thinking as a platform for STEM education.

Pocahontas B Age-Appropriate Engineering Design for Early Childhood (PreK-2) Amanda GloverGrade Level Focus: PreK-2 Educators will explore the similarities and differences in age-appropriate engineering practices and design parameters for children PreK-2 through discussion, hands-on activities, and class-room videos.

Shenandoah A Design a Musical InstrumentRoxane Dupuis and Donna RalphGrade Level Focus: 5-6 Students work as an individual or in pairs to plan and design an instrument that will play at least three different pitches. Students use an iterative engineering design process that starts with iden-tifying and researching the problem, brainstorming solutions, designing, building, evaluating, redesigning, sharing solutions and possibly redesigning again.

Shenandoah B Vision EngineersRosina A. Allen, Tonya Harvey-Perval, and Paula TaylorGrade Level Focus: K-6 Using visual viewers in the classroom, educators can initially engage students, conduct experi-ments, explain, and continue with extension activities such as engineering products.

Tinker Mountain Technology for LittlesAmelia Tuckwiller and Megan RidgleyGrade Level Focus: PreK-2 How can you use technology with your primary students? This session introduces technology tools, robots, apps, and more for students in grades PreK-2 to foster creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Washington Lecture New Children’s Engineering Instruction Guide ReleaseDr. Charlotte Holter and Lisa BrownGrade Level Focus: K-5 In 2003, a group of distinguished educators across Virginia wrote a Children’s Engineering Teach-er Resource Guide for the Virginia Department of Education. Additional design briefs were later added. In 2019, a new resource guide that aligns with state and national standards was written by trained children’s engineering practitioners and is available for any elementary teacher across the state of Virginia and beyond. An overview of this new teacher resource guide will be presented in this breakout session by some of the writers.

Wilson Digital Escape RoomsScarlett Kibler Grade Level Focus: K-6 Student-created digital escape rooms make learning interesting and engaging. Explore ways in which you can help your students build content-related digital escape rooms.


Friday, February 7Breakout Session 5 (9:15-10:30 a.m.)

Allegheny And ... Action! Getting Started with Green ScreenKim Keith and Jodi AllyGrade Level Focus: PreK-6Add an exciting dimension to student creations by using a green screen. Engaging students’ imagination and digital skills has never been more fun!

Appalachian Microcontrollers in the Classroom!Len S. LitowitzGrade Level Focus: 1-6Explore the use of microcontrollers to achieve classroom objectives and introduce students to coding, computational thinking, and robotics.

Bent Mountain Block Party (Bloxels EDU)Kevin SpencerGrade Level Focus: PreK-2Want to move students from consumers to creators? A student who develops their own video game is prepared for a career they are passionate about.

Brush Mountain Using Bridges to Integrate STEAM in Your ClassroomLaurie WittGrade Level Focus: K-5Bridges are everywhere. Students encounter them in life and in the books they read. Experience how bridges can integrate STEAM subjects in your K-5 classroom.

Buck Mountain Soft Starts and STEAM BinsRiley Kuff and Paige MichancoGrade Level Focus: K-5The idea of STEAM can seem overwhelming. Through this session, you will learn how easy it can be to start your school day with STEAM in mind.

Crystal Ballroom A STEM Challenges MERGE with PBLsApril PeacockGrade Level Focus: 2-6Visualize and understand how STEM challenges can merge with project-based learning in your classroom.

Crystal Ballroom B Stepping into STEM with Scratch Krystle DemasGrade Level Focus: 2-6 Engage in hands-on learning through play in this session focused on integrating computer sci-ence into STEM projects. Learning with Scratch will be scaffolded to provide you with an under-standing of how to implement these activities into your everyday classroom.


Crystal Ballroom C Elementary CybersecurityBlenna Patterson and Darlene LaneGrade Level Focus: K-5 Research shows that early instruction in cybersecurity is key. Integrating cybersecurity with 21st century learning makes it relevant. Participants will experience an elementary forensics lesson.

Crystal Ballroom D Game of Drones: Taking Flight in the ClassroomsKim Collazo and Carrie RobledoGrade Level Focus: 3-6 The sky’s the limit for teaching STEM skills with unmanned aerial vehicles. See how we use drones to take learning to a whole new level!

Crystal Ballroom E 3D Design Using Mathematics and CodingBruce TroutmanGrade Level Focus: 4-6 Design an object with free software in a few minutes, position it on an X-Y grid using mathemat-ics, and make multiple copies using coding in just a few minutes. We will then translate and print the designs. All attendees will take a copy of the object home as a souvenir.

Harrison/Tyler Makey Makey Year RoundTerry PhillipsGrade Level Focus: 1-4 Explore 12 Makey Makey projects for elementary students while examining best practices for implementing this invention kit and everyday objects across the curriculum.

Jefferson Picture Books and Digital Citizenship: The Perfect PairThea Clark and Dana DembeckGrade Level Focus: K-5 Presenters will share how they have successfully used familiar books to integrate digital citizen-ship into content lessons. This session features lesson ideas to teach core content standards and the Virginia Computer Technology SOL.

Madison Stop, Collaborate and Motion Anna Nole and Ashley BerryGrade Level Focus: K-6 Stop, collaborate and listen! Learn how to incorporate stop-motion into your lessons.

Mill Mountain Rubik’s Cube RumbleJudy Deichman and Annah BowenGrade Level Focus: K-6 Fun with mosaics, competitions, and activities linked to the 5 C’s! Walk away with lessons tied to Virginia SOL and computer science standards.

Monroe Sustainable Hydroponics Through Integrated STEM DesignJohn Hollingsworth and Brendan PowellGrade Level Focus: 1-6 Learn about a sustainable classroom hydroponic system based on and supported by a stan-dards-based design challenge.



Pocahontas A Renewable Energy for Your School: From Systems to CompetitionsRemy PangleGrade Level Focus: K-6 From teacher workshops to children’s books, there are lots of free resources available to teach renewable energy, and these challenges are great culminating group projects.

Pocahontas B Blending the Evolution of Technology with STEAMHeather Russell Grade Level Focus: 1-6 Experience an engaging way to teach your students to be archipreneurs. We will explore topics such as advertising, blueprints, patents, and persuasive writing.

Shenandoah A Mashing Up Technology to Leverage LearningKirsten Becker Stammer and Julie EsanuGrade Level Focus: K-4Melding different technologies together can enhance a lesson and promote imagination and creativity!

Shenandoah B Primary Resources in the STEM ClassroomJaime BrookmanGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Using primary sources can enhance the STEM classroom, help connect lessons to other content areas, and develop a deeper understanding for the necessity for STEM careers.

Taylor Engineering, a Portal for Teaching All Subjects Arthur W. Bowman and Kianga R. ThomasGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Engineering can help introduce technology and science, while addressing standards, critical thinking, and differentiated cross-discipline instruction for all children taught in existing elemen-tary curricula.

Tinker Mountain All Aboard the Seesaw TrainCourtney StraussGrade Level Focus: K-5 In this session, you will learn about the basics of how Seesaw works, hear success stories and ex-amples of how we have integrated Seesaw into our schools, and get to experience Seesaw hands-on for yourself as a learner. Note: Please bring an internet connected device to the session. If your device is a phone or tablet, please download the Seesaw Learning Journal app prior to the session so you can fully participate in the activity.

Washington Lecture App Smashing with SeesawLisa McCueGrade Level Focus: PreK-3 Experience Chatterpix, Stop Motion, and Green Screen as a student! Then see how fun and easy it is to app smash with Seesaw!

Wilson Solve in Time!Rachel Mann Grade Level Focus: K-5 Formerly Smashboard Edu, Solve in Time is a gamified problem-based learning activity that uses the design-thinking process to solve real-world problems. Got a problem? Create teams, pass out cards, set a timer, and solve it! During this interactive workshop, participants will experience Solve In Time and discover how they can put it to use in any classroom for learners ages 5 and up or even use it in staff meetings. Attendees will leave with a link to receive a free print and play cards and cross-platform apps for creatively sharing solutions.


Breakout Session 6 (11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.)

Appalachian Computational Thinking Through PlayMaureen Ambrose and Krista MillerGrade Level Focus: K-5Learn to use Rubik’s Cubes and other games to teach computational thinking and problem-solv-ing techniques, all under the guise of play!

Bent Mountain Block Party (Bloxels EDU)Kevin SpencerGrade Level Focus: 3-6Want to move students from consumers to creators? A student who develops their own video game is prepared for a career they are passionate about.

Brush Mountain Using Bridges to Integrate STEAM in Your ClassroomLaurie WittGrade Level Focus: K-5Bridges are everywhere. Students encounter them in life and in the books they read. Experience how bridges can integrate STEAM subjects in your K-5 classroom.

Buck Mountain Planning and Hosting a STEAM Night Riley Kuff and Paige MichancoGrade Level Focus: K-5Are you interested in hosting a STEAM night at your school but aren’t sure where to begin? Learn how to plan and host a low-cost STEAM night at your school.

Crystal Ballroom A Green Screen: Bringing Literature to LifeJackie Brondstater and Nicole MillerGrade Level Focus: 1-6Learn how to deepen students’ reading comprehension, foster writing skills, and illuminate stu-dent voices by bringing literature to life using a green screen.

Crystal Ballroom B STEAM in the Garden Mackenzie Escobar and Ashley SullivanGrade Level Focus: K-3 Students who garden are happier, healthier, and more academically successful. Learn practical, easy ways to incorporate gardening into your instruction and STEAM into your gardening!

Crystal Ballroom C Elementary CybersecurityBlenna Patterson and Darlene LaneGrade Level Focus: K-5 Research shows that early instruction in cybersecurity is key. Integrating cybersecurity with 21st century learning makes it relevant. Participants will experience an elementary forensics lesson.

Crystal Ballroom D Turning Ordinary Science into STEM-Driven Design BriefsKelcie ConroyGrade Level Focus: K-6 Explore ready made STEM lessons based on literature. Participants will also create their own design briefs from popular literature to take directly back to their classrooms!


Crystal Ballroom E PreK STEM Activities to Send HomeTawni ParadiseGrade Level Focus: PreK This presentation will share PreK curriculum, including in-class activities that can be supple-mented by homework in the form of short STEM activities for parents to engage their children in engineering.

Harrison/Tyler Makey Makey Year RoundTerry PhillipsGrade Level Focus: 1-4 Explore 12 Makey Makey projects for elementary students while examining best practices for implementing this invention kit and everyday objects across the curriculum.

Jefferson Coding Stations in the ClassroomJeni Church and Courtney JonesGrade Level Focus: PreK-2 Participants will experience how coding stations are integrated into a lower elementary class-room. A variety of coding activities will be shared.

Madison Stop, Collaborate and Motion Anna Nole and Ashley BerryGrade Level Focus: K-6 Stop, collaborate and listen! Learn how to incorporate stop-motion into your lessons.

Mill Mountain Rubik’s Cube RumbleJudy Deichman and Annah BowenGrade Level Focus: K-6 Fun with mosaics, competitions, and activities linked to the 5 C’s! Walk away with lessons tied to Virginia SOL and computer science standards.

Monroe Bee-Bot PaloozaTonya CoffeyGrade Level Focus: PreK-5 Learn how to integrate Bee-Bot into the curriculum. Get tips, premade resources, and sugges-tions on classroom management and logistics, and enjoy time to explore.


Pocahontas A Renewable Energy for Your School: From Systems to CompetitionsRemy PangleGrade Level Focus: K-6 From teacher workshops to children’s books, there are lots of free resources available to teach renewable energy, and these challenges are great culminating group projects.

Pocahontas B Think Outside, Survive Inside the BoxAnne Moore Grade Level Focus: 4-7 Can your team survive in the wilderness? Randomly picking a location (biome) and other challenges, teams develop the “Ultimate Survival Box” that will help them conquer the elements. With dozens of scenario combinations, each team will research, design, and develop the tools


they can take with them, while meeting set parameters and constraints. Educators will leave the session with resources to create individual versions of this hands-on multiday lesson.

Shenandoah A Creativity + Innovation + Inspiration: STEM Pathways to Authentic Problem Solving Mike SandridgeGrade Level Focus: PreK-6Session participants will experience hands-on activities inspired by National Inventor Hall of Fame inductees. The workshop will expose participants to our educational programs that provide high-quality STEM learning experiences through fun, hands-on activities infused with the spirit of innovation. This session will empower participants to have big ideas while they take on STEM based challenges that inspire them to question, brainstorm, collaborate with teammates, and build invention prototypes.

Shenandoah B Using the QFT to Build Excitement Mathematics Skills and Teach Students to Ask Their Own Questions

Jaime BrookmanGrade Level Focus: K-6 Using the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) and 3-Acts Math, students can develop the skills to develop questions, question better, and focus their questions for learning.

Taylor Engineering, a Portal for Teaching All Subjects Arthur W. Bowman and Kianga R. ThomasGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Engineering can help introduce technology and science, while addressing standards, critical thinking, and differentiated cross-discipline instruction for all children taught in existing elemen-tary curricula.

Tinker Mountain Taking STEAM OutdoorsChrissy BrownsonGrade Level Focus: PreK-6 Learn how to plan STEAM lessons that work best outdoors to incorporate the advantages of taking students into the fresh air.

Washington Lecture STEM Panel of LeadersLaKesia FosterGrade Level Focus: K-6 Leaders in STEM from across the state will offer their advice on incorporating STEM into the curriculum, as well as being available to answer your questions.

Wilson STEM Across the ContentsMallory Schmidt Grade Level Focus: K-6 STEM projects bring in a unique way to assist in learning in all content areas! Let’s take a look at how to incorporate STEM in content areas like reading, history, and more!



Teacher of the Year (Sponsored by Farm Credit of Virginia)________________________________________________________________Heather Russell, Chesterfield County Public Schools

Heather Russell is a passionate educator who loves to integrate design, engineering, technology and creativity in her classroom. She has worked for Chesterfield County Public Schools for the past 10 years. She began to implement STEM as a classroom teacher in first, second, and third grade before being promoted to her school’s K-5 STEAM resource teacher three years ago.

As a K-5 STEAM resource teacher, she teaches STEM and coding to every student at her school (about 700) each week. She is constantly looking for unique ways to engage her students with topics that are relevant to their world. Students have designed and engineered projects such as new inventions for the future, earthquake-proof houses, and even marketed light-up merchandise for a theme park.

Each unit begins with a picture book or video about the topic, which leads into a discussion about the design challenge and what the criteria and constraints are. Students work in teams of four to draw out their ideas and create a blue-print of their final design. From there, students use materials (e.g., recyclables, craft materials, Legos, blocks, etc.) to bring their vision to life. Students usually get two to three weeks to work on their prototypes. As problems arise in the building process, teams have to work through conflicts and use critical thinking to repair whatever challenges they are having. In the final week, students showcase their projects and test them to see whether they met the project criteria. Each unit ends with a discussion on what worked well and what improvements could be made during the redesign.

Heather has received numerous grants and accolades, such as “Outstanding STEAM Brief Design” from Chesterfield County for 2018 and 2019, Virginia’s Technology and Engineering Education Associations Elementary Teacher of the Year Award for 2019, and the International Technology Engineering Education Association Teacher Excellence Award for 2019-2020.

Program of the Year (Sponsored by National Institute of Aerospace)________________________________________________________________Hillsboro Charter Academy, Loudoun County Public Schools

Dean of Curriculum: Megan Tucker Lead Teachers: Stefanie Krimsky, Nicole Mullins, and Corinna Sloup

Hillsboro Charter Academy was established in 2016 and serves children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Its mission is to incorporate an innovative curriculum focused on STEAM education and real-world experiences, including project-based learning. There is a unique focus on all students participating in an Explore! Engage! Engineer! (E3) learning experience every day.

The teachers have created a technical advisory group comprised of community members whose purpose is to provide the technical knowledge to support students and staff in larger, real-world projects. Teachers participate in regularly scheduled professional development to ensure that the engineering design process is a common language used throughout our school. The teachers use common vocabulary of the engineering design process in their classrooms and infuse it into their everyday teaching.

Students have opportunities for discoveries, inventions, innovations, iterations, and success through a collaborative lens. Engineering design challenges are conducted on a regular basis, and students have to follow the engineering design process to solve problems.


Plan to Attend

25th AnnualVirginia Children’s Engineering

ConventionFebruary 4-5, 2021

The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center Roanoke, Virginia

Mark Your Calendar!


Do you have some down

time in between your

sessions?

Are you looking for some

simple, easy, ready-to-use activities for

your classroom on a budget?

Then we have the perfect solution for you...

The Creativity Lab

Experiment with student

Learn all about Children’s Engineering and how to introduce it in your classroom!

Make a pop-up card

using simple machines

Learn what makes a “true” STEM lesson.

Create with a 3D pen

Try out hands-on activities and challenges

Collaborate with other children’s engineering

friends

Thank You to Our Sponsors________________________________________________________________The Virginia Children’s Engineering Council gratefully acknowledges the following organizations for their sponsorship of the 2020 convention and their contributions to our professional organization.

Documents

24th Annual Children’schildrensengineering.org/convention/Convention_Program.pdfthe Maker Movement. In 2015, she was awarded the Frank S. Manchester Award for Excel-lence in Journalism