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2 | Click here to access APB Course & Skill Maps | ||||
3 | Sessions Title | Course/Topic | Description | Presenter(s) | Materials |
4 | Getting Students Excited for the Final Problem | Featured | How do we help students stay motivated and engaged throughout a unit? When students see how daily lessons connect to the final problem, they take more ownership of their learning. This session introduces three tools to make learning pathways clear and exciting. Work alongside teachers in your pathway to create a tool for your classroom and leave with strategies to boost engagement, reduce confusion, and build student excitement. | Jenn Donais | 1- Navigation: Getting Students Excited for the Final Problem |
5 | Ongoing Assessments: Three Strategies to Collect Better Data, Faster | Featured | Get real-time insights into student learning without adding to your workload. This session covers data trackers for monitoring progress, single-point rubrics for clearer feedback, and learning checkpoints to assess understanding as students build. These strategies will help you adjust instruction in the moment, ensuring students stay on track before reaching the final assessment. | Chakara Cardillo Christi Davenport Cristina Serradas Jess Meade | 1- Ongoing Assessments: 3 Strategies to Collect Better Data, Faster |
6 | Normalizing Failure: Encouraging Risk-Taking in PLTW | Featured | Missed this session at Fall Conference? Here’s your chance to engage with the updated version, now featuring pathway-specific examples and strategies. Great PLTW work requires risk-taking, and failure is part of the process. This session explores how to help students embrace failure as a natural step in problem-solving and innovation. Walk away with tools to create a classroom culture where mistakes fuel learning and lead to stronger student outcomes. | Lauren Saniuk Lindsey Ayers | 2- Normalizing Failure: Encouraging Risk-Taking in PLTW |
7 | Community-Driven AI | Featured | How can AI help students think more deeply and engage more effectively with the problems in PLTW courses? This session explores ways to use generative tools to map out timing, identify key skills, and structure classroom time. Learn how AI can also support students in documenting their thought processes and inquiry, helping them build stronger problem-solving and design skills. | Katherine Skrivan Julia Kostro Tracy Aresenault Carl Neilsen | 3 -Community Driven AI |
8 | Collaboration: Three Strategies to Get Student Groups Working | Featured | Students produce stronger work when they collaborate - but how do we make teamwork effective? This session explores three key strategies: creating classroom norms, assigning student roles, and using thinking protocols. Walk away with practical tools to foster meaningful collaboration and help students work together more successfully. | Chakara Cardillo Ginger Lavelle Steve Thering | 2- Collaboration: 3 Strategies to Get Student Groups Working |
9 | Turn Up the Timer: Simple Tool, Big Impact | Featured | Thought the timer from Fall Conference was just a basic gadget? Think again! This session will explore creative ways to use timers to boost student focus, structure lessons, and maximize learning time. Get ideas from fellow educators, see how timers connect to industry practices, and walk away with fresh strategies - plus a free timer if you missed the Fall event! | Brian Bobbitt Anna Seiders Dave Bonneau Amanda Gallerani Jennie Shiner Chris Miller Annalise Eak Aaron Milgram | 3 - Turn Up the Timer: Simple Tool, Big Impact |
10 | Celebrating Student Work: The What, How, and Why for our MA PLTW Community | Featured | Showcasing student work isn’t just about recognition - it helps students engage more deeply in the design process and take ownership of their learning. This session explores strategies for highlighting high-quality work, making student thinking visible, and reinforcing problem-solving skills. Walk away with ideas to create a culture where students are motivated to refine their work and take pride in meaningful, well-developed projects. | Chakara Cardillo Amy Doyle Austin Williams | 3 - Celebrating Student Work |
11 | Using the Puzzle Cube to Prep for Theraputic Toy | Gateway | Help students build the design and problem-solving skills needed for the Therapeutic Toy Challenge. This session breaks down the Puzzle Cube Project, providing hands-on strategies for differentiation, accommodations, and student reflection. You’ll leave with practical resources and a plan to support all learners in creating innovative, functional designs. | Sarah Leonard | 1- Using the Puzzle Cube to Prep for Therapeutic Toy |
12 | CSIM: Getting Algorithmic Thinking Right! | Gateway | Algorithmic thinking is a core skill in CSIM, essential for student success in computer science. This session explores strategies to help students think systematically, create efficient processes, and apply algorithms effectively in their coding work. Learn practical techniques to strengthen algorithmic thinking so students are fully prepared to tackle the final problem of the course. | Sarah Leonard | 2- CSIM: Getting Algorithmic Thinking Right! |
13 | Preparing for Show Your Skills: AR 2.1-2.2 Sensors and Coding | Gateway | Help students build the foundation they need for Show Your Skills by mastering sensors and coding. This session explores Makes Sense and Color Coded, where students use optical sensors and LEDs to create accessible automated solutions. Learn strategies to reinforce these skills so students are ready to design, build, and program fully automated mechanical systems in Problem 3.2 (Show Your Skills). | Ashley Puopolo | 3 - Preparing for Show Your Skills: Sensors and Coding |
14 | Prototyping: Learning the Process, Not Just the Product | Gateway | Prototyping is a critical skill in engineering, yet students often get stuck trying to make their first design “perfect” instead of embracing iteration. This session will model how to introduce rapid prototyping challenges in PLTW classrooms, helping students take risks, set meaningful deadlines, and focus on learning through testing and refinement. Participants will engage in a hands-on instant challenge, explore strategies for making prototyping a regular classroom habit, and leave with concrete ideas to help students build confidence in the engineering design process. | Steve Thering | 3 - Prototyping: Learning the Process, Not Just the Product |
15 | HBS Unit 3: Adventure Awaits | HS Biomed | Help students navigate Adventure Guide and Expedition Builder to ensure they are ready for Unit 3.3.1. This session covers strategies for managing timing and budgeting so students can effectively research locations, analyze risks, and create accurate adventure guides. Walk away with tools to streamline the process and guide students toward deeper problem-solving in their final project. | Danielle Weber | 2- HBS Unit 3: Adventure Awaits |
16 | PBS 4.2: New Frontiers - Mapping Innovation and Discovery | HS Biomed | Prepare students to pioneer the future by exploring how research labs identify promising locations for discovery. In this session, you’ll learn to use ArcGIS to map ideal sampling sites and conduct hands-on assays to evaluate sea sponges for potential biomedical applications. Walk away with strategies to help students apply these techniques as they design their own research proposals and lab models. | Danielle Weber | 1- New Frontiers - Mapping Innovation and Discovery |
17 | Building Strong Lab Skills in HS Biomed | HS Biomed | Refine your own understanding of core lab skills to feel more confident teaching them in your classroom. Rotate through six hands-on stations to practice essential biomedical techniques, exchange insights with peers, and gain expert tips to streamline instruction. Walk away with greater confidence and practical strategies to help students master foundational lab skills. | Jess Meade Gretchen Cuhna Lyndsey Littlefield Lauren Saniuk | 3 - Building Strong Lab Skills in HS Biomed |
18 | Capstone Newbies: calling all HS Biomed, CS, and Eng educators! | HS Biomed HS CS HS Eng | Want to learn more about Capstone? Hear from those who have been in your shoes and are teaching it now. This session is for those new to Capstone or considering adding it to their school. An engineering and biomed Master Teacher pair will share their experiences launching a cross-pathway Capstone, what worked, and key lessons learned. Walk away with insights and practical tips to set your program up for success. | Danielle Weber Paige Ridley | 3 - Capstone Newbies |
19 | Making CS Structures Visible & Predictable | HS CS | Help students see the hidden structure behind every CS project. Iteration, testing, and revision guide all coding work, yet students often struggle to recognize these patterns. This session explores strategies to make these processes more visible and predictable, helping students develop stronger computational thinking skills and a more confident approach to coding. | David Czechowski | 1- Making CS Structures Visible & Predictable |
20 | Beyond Pair Programming: Authentic Collaboration in the CS Classroom | HS CS Gateway | Collaboration in computer science should be productive and engaging. This session explores three strategies to strengthen teamwork in PLTW CS classrooms, moving beyond traditional pair programming. Try hands-on activities like relay-style coding, structured peer feedback, and real-world problem-solving to help students communicate effectively and produce stronger work. Walk away with practical strategies to improve collaboration and engagement. | Katie Cunningham Gabe Yaeger | 2- Beyond Pair Programming: Authentic Collaboration in the CS Classroom |
21 | What are Your CS Essentials? | HS CS Gateway | A clear vision helps students engage deeply and produce high-quality work. This session will guide you in defining what is essential in your CS classroom and how to focus on problem-solving, iteration, and strong student outcomes. Walk away with strategies to help students take ownership of their learning and build meaningful projects. | David Czechowski | 3 - What are Your CS Essentials? |
22 | POE: 3.2.2-3.2.2: Fluid Power (2 Different Ways!) | HS Eng | Tackle fluid power from two perspectives to strengthen student understanding. In this session, two presenters will share different approaches to teaching this challenging POE topic, offering strategies to improve clarity and engagement. You'll gain insights into multiple instructional methods to ensure students are prepared to apply fluid power concepts to the Unit 3 Problem. | Steve Beauchamp Brian Bobbitt | 1- Fluid Power: 2 Different Ways! |
23 | Beyond the Basics: Fusion for Faster, Smarter Design | HS Eng | Take your Fusion skills to the next level in this hands-on session designed for educators looking to streamline their 3D design workflow. Explore key settings, powerful plugins, and efficiency-boosting techniques to create optimized models for 3D printing, including print-in-place designs. This session is for those comfortable with Fusion basics and ready to work smarter and faster. Beginners are welcome, but the session will move at a fast pace. | Brian Bobbitt | 2- Beyond the Basics: Fusion for Faster, Smarter Design |
24 | Sweet Success with Onshape: A Beginner’s Guide | HS Eng | Strong 3D modeling skills help students tackle real-world design challenges with confidence. This hands-on session walks you through essential Onshape tools - sketching, extruding, revolving, and part studio management - while creating candy-themed models like Tootsie Rolls and Dum Dums. Learn practical shortcuts and best practices to help students create high-quality designs for their final problems. | Austin Williams | 2 - Sweet Success with Onshape: A Beginner’s Guide |
25 | POE 4.4.1: Sustainability, Structures, and Transportation | HS Eng | Help students apply the design process to improve real-world infrastructure. This session will break down the 4.4.1 Problem, exploring ways to guide students as they propose sustainable solutions that integrate energy, structures, and transportation. Walk away with strategies to support brainstorming, research, and design so students can develop meaningful, community-focused projects. | Steve Beauchamp | 3 - Sustainability, Structures, and Transportation |
26 | Structuring Daily Lessons in Your Launch Classroom | Launch | A predictable classroom structure and schedule supports student learning and makes teaching easier. This session will help you break down your daily schedule - whether you have 45 minutes or 90 minutes - and organize content to fit your teaching time effectively. Explore examples, discuss strategies, and learn how creating PowerPoint slides can help make lessons more tangible and manageable. Walk away with a plan to streamline your Launch classroom. | Sarah Orr | 1- Structuring Daily Lessons in Your Launch Classroom |
27 | Can I Ask You a Question? Digging Deeper into Questioning | Launch | Questioning students in deeper ways can be hard in the heart of a lesson. How do you know what questions to ask? How can you find ways to not repeat the same question each time? Is there a good way to build them into your lesson? Come and learn the art of questioning as well as develop some takeaway resources to help deepen your students answers and knowledge! | Christi Davenport | 2- Can I Ask You a Question? Digging Deeper into QuestioningDigging Deeper into Questioning |
28 | Project READ the Way: Reinforcing Literacy in Your Launch Classroom | Launch | Strengthen the connection between literacy and PLTW in your Launch classroom. There are so many opportunities for literacy-rich supplements in each module, but when and where? Join us to see book examples, bring other classrooms into the research and reading for your module, and develop some planning for module literacy! | Christi Davenport Sarah Orr | 3 - Project READ the Way: Reinforcing Literacy in Your Launch Classroom |
29 | Module Prep: Helping You and Your Students See the Forest Through the Trees | Launch | Make sense of MyPLTW guides and focus on what matters most. With so much information, it can be hard to pinpoint what’s essential. This session will help you navigate MyPLTW teacher guides, identify key takeaways, and structure lessons that are clear, focused, and aligned to each APB’s goals. Walk away with strategies to streamline planning and ensure student understanding. | Molli Mowry | 1- Module Prep: Helping You and Your Students See the Forest Through the Trees |
30 | Applied Learning Leader Session | Leader | Join us for a leader session where participants will draw inspiration from PLTW bright spots seen in pre-work and then craft a plan to help teachers increase relevancy through Nipmuc’s structured approach to improving high-quality tasks. | Sissela Tucker | |
31 | Clean Energy Pilot Teacher Working Session | HS Eng | This session is for teachers piloting the clean energy materials. We will use the time to share important updates (and materials), debrief unit 2, and work together to unpack/prep units 3 & 4. The plan is for all pilot teachers to attend the session. | Katherine Skrivan | 2 - Clean Energy Pilot Teacher Working Session |
32 | Applied Learning Routines: Creating a Peer Helper Program in PLTW | K-12 | Looking for ways to differentiate for students? Wanting to build student muscle around problem solving? Hear how a peer helper routine from ST Math supports these goals and more. Leave with a plan to develop a peer helper routine for your classroom. | Heather Haines | 3 - Applied Learning Routines: Creating a Peer Helper Program in PLTW |
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