UCET 2025: Full Schedule

11:30am MST

Littles Can Code, Too

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm MST

Room 257 B

It's never too early to start coding! Come learn how Kindergarten-2nd students can start coding. We will be exploring three robots that will build students Computational Thinking skills: Sphero Indis, Finches, and Qobos. Participants will get hands-on experience and leave with resources to teach littles to code. *all resources are aligned to Utah CS K-5 standards

Speakers

Traci Rindlisbach

Digital Learning/CS Specialist, Jordan School District

Littles Can Code, Too-ISTE, URSA, Utah CTE Conference and multiple PDs for Elementary CS PLCs

Kelli Cannon

Digital Learning Specialist, Jordan School District

Kelli Cannon has been an educator for eleven years, teaching upper elementary students prior to her current role as a Digital Learning Specialist. Kelli is a Utah Teacher Fellow and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology, as well as endorsements in Teaching English as... Read More →

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm MST
Room 257 B

Traditional Presentation (60 minutes), Beginning

Strand Computer Science / Coding / Robotics
Audience Elementary Teachers, Librarians, School/District Administrators, Paraprofessionals, Technology Coaches/Specialists
Skill Level Beginning

12:45pm MST

Integrating Computer Science in the Elementary Classroom

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm MST

Room 257 B

**Session Title: Integrating Computer Science in the Elementary Classroom** **Description:** Discover how to transform your elementary classroom into a dynamic learning environment by integrating computer science seamlessly into your curriculum. In this session, educators will explore practical strategies to merge computer science standards with core academic subjects, making learning both engaging and meaningful for young students. Participants will gain hands-on experience with innovative tools such as KEVA Planks, BlueBots, Ozobots, and Spheros, all designed to ignite curiosity and foster creativity. Through engaging lesson frames like the \"7-Plank KEVA Challenge\" and \"Fun with Spheros,\" teachers will learn to inspire students to think critically and solve problems collaboratively. Our approach emphasizes the importance of movement and interactive learning, ensuring concepts like algorithms, conditionals, and sequencing are accessible and fun. This session will also highlight the effective use of computer science vocabulary across disciplines, helping students build a robust language foundation that supports their understanding of technology. Led by a team of dedicated computer science specialists, this workshop provides educators with the resources and confidence to integrate CS tools and techniques into their classrooms. Attendees will leave with a suite of high-quality lesson plans and a clear vision for enhancing student engagement through technology. Join us to empower your students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a digital world, and take the first step in revolutionizing the way computer science is taught in elementary education.

Speakers

Jodi Anderson

Instructional Technology Specialist, South Sanpete School District

Supervisor of Computer Science over the elementary schools in South Sanpete School District, presented at CTE Summer Conference 2024, presented at past STEM conference,

Kristen Weller

Computer Science Specialist, Ephraim Elementary School

I teach a 30 minute Computer Science rotation to every class in the school once a week. I also help develop lesson plans for the K-5 CS Standards, including lessons that are cross-curricular with ELA, Math, and SEEd standards.

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm MST
Room 257 B

Traditional Presentation (60 minutes), Beginning

Strand Computer Science / Coding / Robotics
Audience Elementary Teachers
Skill Level Beginning

2:00pm MST

Computational Thinking in Elementary: Data & Patterns

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST

Room 257 B

Join me as we explore what computational thinking is and how we can incorporate it in our teaching with elementary students. We'll learn about decomposing problems, examining data sets, recognizing patterns, and algorithms. Sounds daunting, but we will tackle it in a teacher-friendly, hands-on way. Examples from many content areas (math, science, PE, etc) will be shared and we'll generate more ideas together so that we can all walk away with ideas to use with our students the next day.

Speakers

Geri Smith

Elementary Instructional Technology Coach, Murray City School District

I've presented at UCET for several years on various Google Tools, Flipgrid (RIP), Book Creator, and other ed tech tools. I am a Google Certified Educator, Levels 1 and 2. I am a Nearpod Caoch and a Book Creator Champion. I've been part of PLCs, faculty meetings, and districtwide trainings... Read More →

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
Room 257 B

Traditional Presentation (30 minutes), Beginning

Strand Computer Science / Coding / Robotics
Audience Elementary Teachers, Technology Coaches/Specialists, School/District Administrators, Paraprofessionals
Skill Level Beginning

3:15pm MST

Bringing Stories to Life with Robotics and Balloons Over Broadway

Tuesday February 25, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm MST

Room 257 B

This hands-on session will explore the innovative integration of language arts and robotics through the lens of Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet, a captivating book about Tony Sarg, the puppeteer behind the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. Participants will discover how storytelling, creativity, and STEM can merge as students design and program robotic “parade balloons” using simple robotics and coding. Educators will learn to combine narrative writing and comprehension skills with engineering principles, enabling students to animate their own robotic characters, enhancing comprehension, problem-solving, and engagement in both literature and technology.

Speakers

Emily Perkins

5th Grade Teacher, Cedar Valley Elementary

Emily Perkins is the 5th grade teacher at Cedar Valley Elementary in Cedar Fort, Utah. She has been the 5th grade teacher for the last 12 years. Emily enjoys creating high-quality, engaging cross-curricular learning experiences for her students. Emily is on the district science, math... Read More →

Michelle Kantaris

6th grade teacher, Cedar Valley Elementary

Michelle Kantaris is a 6th grade teacher at Cedar Valley Elementary in Cedar Fort, Utah.. She presently teaches 6th grade with prior experience in grades K-8. Michelle has a passion for reaching students through engaging cross-curricular activities. Michelle is on the district science... Read More →

Tuesday February 25, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm MST
Room 257 B

Traditional Presentation (60 minutes), Beginning

Strand Computer Science / Coding / Robotics
Audience Elementary Teachers, Librarians, Technology Coaches/Specialists
Skill Level Beginning

11:30am MST

Tech-Enhanced Learning: Transforming Secondary Lessons with Makey Makey

Wednesday February 26, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm MST

Room 257 B

In this interactive session, educators will explore innovative ways to integrate Makey Makey devices into middle and high school curricula, enhancing student engagement and cross-disciplinary learning. The session will provide practical examples and hands-on activities to demonstrate the potential of these devices in connecting computer science concepts to everyday life and various academic subjects. Participants will learn to use Makey Makey to create an interactive cell model, where each organelle is programmed to describe its function when touched. See how Makey Makey could be used to explore the principles of electrochemistry to build a basic battery providing immediate feedback on the battery's success. Examples of how to make interactive posters for any subject. Additionally, attendees will construct their own buzzers for use in classroom review games, showcasing how to incorporate technology into gamified learning experiences. Through these activities, educators will understand the versatility of Makey Makey devices in facilitating interactive and engaging learning experiences, develop skills to create interdisciplinary lesson plans, and gain hands-on experience in constructing educational tools that promote active learning.

Speakers

Lynsey Williams

District Secondary Science Specialist, Jordan School District

10+ years in the secondary classroom, Curriculum design with lessons using Makey-Makey

Wednesday February 26, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm MST
Room 257 B

Traditional Presentation (60 minutes), Beginning

Strand Computer Science / Coding / Robotics
Audience Secondary Teachers, Technology Coaches/Specialists
Skill Level Beginning

2:00pm MST

Data in Hand: Practical Applications of Databot in Science Education

Wednesday February 26, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST

Room 257 B

Join this session to explore the innovative use of the databot, an affordable handheld sensor capable of collecting 16 types of data including light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide levels, acceleration and many more. Discover how this versatile tool can revolutionize student engagement through real-world data collection. Databot can be used as a traditional science sensor which will give data outputs in csv format. Additionally Databot will integrate with Microblocks coding website. Students can program lights and sounds on the physical databot. Students can also use microblocks to visualize and graph the data collected. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the databot, enhancing their ability to implement these activities in their classrooms and schools.

Speakers

Lynsey Williams

District Secondary Science Specialist, Jordan School District

10+ years in the secondary classroom, Curriculum design with lessons using Makey-Makey

Wednesday February 26, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
Room 257 B

Traditional Presentation (60 minutes), Beginning

Strand Computer Science / Coding / Robotics
Audience Secondary Teachers, School/District Administrators, Technology Coaches/Specialists
Skill Level Beginning

3:15pm MST

Digital Skills, Analog Tools: Unplugged Coding for Kids

Wednesday February 26, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm MST

Room 257 B

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.

Speakers