UCET 2025

As digital technologies reshape our world, empowering students with digital literacy skills is more crucial than ever. This session equips middle school educators with strategies and resources to effectively teach digital literacy to the middle level student.

Upper elementary and middle school teachers will use Research Quest, the award-winning, free, online investigations, to learn how to engage their students in some of the most intriguing mysteries of our time. They will gather evidence, engage in robust debate to reason with their evidence, and develop explanations to communicate their ideas - all while using 3D technology to access many of the museum's rich fossil, artifact and biologic resources. Participants will examine opportunities for supporting collaborative student-driven work to gather empirical data by making quantitative and qualitative observations of real museum objects with video-based modeling provided by research scientists. They will also explore strategies for making student thinking visible as students move from using intuitive to increasingly complex critical thinking skills, all within a digital investigation platform. Participants will receive access to supporting materials designed for classroom teachers and their students - including learning assessment tools for both. These tools provide research-based exemplars for promoting 3D science in the classroom and building capacity among students in using the practices detailed in Next Generation Science Standards.

Unlock the treasure trove of Utah’s Online School Library and discover the hidden gems that will captivate your young learners! In this presentation, you’ll learn how to navigate the library’s vast resources and uncover the best-kept secrets that will help your students excel. Explore Gale in Context: Elementary for academic and vetted information on topics like animals, geography, people, and science. Dive into World Book Online for easy-to-read articles, translations, videos, interactive maps, and engaging activities. SIRS Discoverer offers reliable information on trending topics such as artificial intelligence, animals, countries, famous people, and more. Additionally, you’ll explore Teaching Books and SORA to further enhance your students’ learning experience. Get ready to find the hidden gems that will make your students’ research shine!

Ready to transform your classroom into a digital citizenship training ground? This session equips you to seamlessly integrate key skills into your daily routine. Imagine your students empowered to craft clear emails like communication pros, confidently report concerns with the SafeUT app, navigate social media with critical thinking, and unleash their creativity by responsibly producing engaging YouTube and reel-style videos. Join us and become the digital citizenship role model your students deserve!

Get ready to dig deep into Utah’s Online School Library and uncover the hidden gems that will elevate your students’ research skills! In this presentation, you’ll learn how to navigate the library’s extensive resources and discover the best-kept secrets that will help your students excel. Explore the Gale Reference Collection for academic and vetted information on topics like opposing viewpoints, business insights, health & wellness, and science. World Book Online offers detailed articles, videos, interactive maps, and engaging activities. SIRS Issues Researcher allows your students to dive into leading issues in business & economics, civil rights & liberties, communication & technology, and more. Lastly, explore Teaching Books and SORA to further enhance your students’ learning experience. Get your compass and shovels ready to find these hidden gems that will make your students’ research come alive.

In today’s digital landscape, the internet serves as both a treasure trove of information and a minefield of misinformation. During this session, participants will delve into essential strategies for navigating this complex terrain. Information literacy involves critically evaluating online content to discern reliable sources. Media fluency hones the ability to decode media messages, recognize biases, and interpret visuals. The SIFT method, comprising the steps: Stop, Investigate, Find, and Trace, empowers students to dissect online information effectively. Additionally, fostering critical thinking is crucial for mitigating misinformation. Lastly, educators can creatively integrate information literacy into classrooms, ensuring that students develop essential skills for evaluating and engaging with digital content. Let’s embrace the internet’s power while staying vigilant against misinformation!