Begin your block coding adventure with an introduction to fundamental concepts of coding and experience an engaging hands-on activity to create a simple project using Scratch or MakeCode.Learn some engaging ways to incorporate your STEM Center products like into project-based learning. These tools foster creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning in the classroom. Teachers will learn practical strategies to integrate these products into their curriculum, making STEM education accessible and fun for students. The session will also provide resources and support to help teachers feel confident using these innovative tools.Using your STEM Center for Project-Based Learning Attendees can participate in three breakout sessions during the Summit. Review the descriptions below to determine which sessions most interest you!  

Breakout Session: Creating 3D Printed Manipulatives and Implementing 3D Modeling/Design into the Classroom

Presenter(s): Braydon Moreno and/or Hannah Olson from Boxlight

Description: Discover how to create 3D printed manipulatives that enhance hands-on learning and explore practical strategies for implementing 3D design projects. This session will provide valuable insights and resources to help educators bring innovative, interactive experiences to their students, fostering creativity and critical thinking in STEM education. 

Breakout Session: Getting Started with Makey Makey 

Presenter(s): Eli Phillips and/or Jenelle Obra from Joylabz

Description: Learn how to effectively utilize Makey Makey products in your Ripken STEM Center and discover a wealth of additional resources to enhance your teaching toolkit. This session will provide practical tips and creative ideas to help you integrate Makey Makey into your curriculum, fostering an interactive and engaging learning environment for your students. 

Breakout Session: How to Utilize Bee-Bots in K-2 Classrooms 

Presenter: Felicia Velasquez – Former Teacher 

Description: Learn how to effectively use these interactive robots to teach foundational concepts in coding, sequencing, and problem-solving. This session will provide practical tips, lesson ideas, and hands-on activities to help young students develop critical thinking skills while having fun with Bee-Bots. Enhance your teaching toolkit and create an exciting learning environment for your youngest learners. 

Breakout Session: Making K-12 STEM & Coding Engaging and Accessible 

Presenter: Armen Kroyan – Intelino Smart Team Member 

Description: This presentation will provide an overview of innovative strategies and tools to captivate students’ interest in STEM subjects. Participants will also have the opportunity for a hands-on experience with Intelino’s products, exploring how these tools can be integrated into the classroom to enhance learning and foster a love for STEM and coding.

Breakout Session: STEM City

Presenter: Engage Learning

Description: Participants will work together to design and build their very own city, using Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation STEM Center products. This project-based experience will help educators integrate STEM resources into real-world applications for their classrooms. By the end of the session, educators will have a deeper understanding of the CRSF products and new strategies for classroom integration.

Breakout Session: STEM City

Presenter: Engage Learning

Description: 3D Modeling with CRSF STEM Center Products: Join us as we dive into the world of 3D modeling.  Educators will learn how to create their own TinkerCAD classrooms and utilize 3D modeling, both printing and non-printing alike.  Participants will come away with the skills to integrate 3D modeling into existing lesson plans, explore CRSF products’ 3D offerings, and discover ready-to-use digital resources.  Beginner and beyond level 3D modelers are welcome!

Breakout Session: Sphero Triathlon: The Ultimate Robot Showdown! 

Presenter: Greg Rousos

Description: Get ready to roll, race, and pop your way through the Sphero Triathlon—a hands-on, high-energy session where brains and bots collide! In this fast-paced, one-hour session, you’ll explore the power of coding and creativity with Sphero’s robot lineup, all while having a blast with your team.

Topic 1: Maze Mastery with BOLT+ - Kick things off by programming BOLT+ to navigate a tricky maze using block coding. Add flair by creating your team’s logo to BOLT+’s LCD matrix—style points matter! Beat the maze? You’re on to the next leg. 

Topic 2: Tunnel Trek with indi -Guide indi from start to finish using color-coded tiles, maneuvering through two BP-built tunnels to reach the victory tile. Precision, teamwork, and a splash of strategy will get you to the goal. 

Topic 3: Balloon Blast with RVR+ & littleBits - For the grand finale, take control of RVR+ with a custom-mounted littleBits circuit. Use IR signals (or color coding) to activate your rig and pop the balloon at the finish line. Fastest pop wins bragging rights! 

Breakout Session: Exploring the Design & Engineering Process with Kid Spark Education

Presenter:  Taylor Edwards, Director of Educational Programming, Kid Spark Education

Description: In this hands-on session, participants will dive into the design and engineering process using Kid Spark’s STEM Pathways Lab. They’ll work through a real-world challenge—building water transport devices to move water to and from a source—while learning key engineering concepts along the way. The session will highlight how the STEM Pathways Lab helps students develop problem-solving skills and confidence in STEM. By the end, participants will leave with practical strategies for integrating hands-on engineering into their classrooms.

Breakout Session: Exploring Motion with Kid Spark’s Spark:bit Robotics Controller

Presenter:  Ryan Neden, Executive Director, Kid Spark Education

Description: The Spark:bit robotics controller, included in Kid Spark’s STEM Pathways Lab, is a powerful tool that can be used in non-programming environments to explore real-world engineering concepts. In this session, participants will use the Spark:bit to explore the physics of movement, experimenting with different types of motion—rotary, linear, oscillating, and reciprocating. Using the building materials from the STEM Pathways Lab, they’ll construct mechanical systems that demonstrate these motions and then apply their learning to design their own moving creation!

Breakout Session: Using your STEM Center for Project-Based Learning 

Presenter: Anthony D’Achino 

Description: Learn some engaging ways to incorporate your STEM Center products into project-based learning. These tools foster creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning in the classroom. Teachers will learn practical strategies to integrate these products into their curriculum, making STEM education accessible and fun for students. The session will also provide resources and support to help teachers feel confident using these innovative tools.

Breakout Session: Block Coding

Presenter: Deanie Barlett

Description: Begin your block coding adventure with an introduction to fundamental concepts of coding and experience an engaging hands-on activity to create a simple project using Scratch or MakeCode. 

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. — Welcome Breakfast, Registration & Networking

9:30 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. — Opening Remarks

9:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. — Transition to Breakout Session 1

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — Breakout Session 1

11:00 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. — Transition to Breakout Session 2

11:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. — Breakout Session 2

12:10 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Transition to Lunch

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Lunch (provided), Networking & Vendor Expo

1:30 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. — Transition to Breakout Session 3

1:40 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. — Breakout Session 3

2:40 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. — Transition to Gym

2:50 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Closing Remarks & Prize Giveaways

All times in Mountain Daylight Time Zone

Attendees can park for free in the lot in front of the main building. Click here to view a handy map.

We’ll kick off the STEM Summit in Room 103.