SPRING 2023

EDUCATOR FORUM
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
IN EDUCATION
FUTURE EDUCATOR CAREER FAIR | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | TECHFEST

SESSIONS:
AI in Education Panel Discussion

A STEM Career Can Start With Wed., April 12

an Entry Level Position
4:30-7:30 PM
Combining Lteracy and
Engineering in Early Childhood
Classrooms

Equity, Belonging, and CS: What

the Graphic Novel "Power on!" Can 210 Wood Lake Dr. SE,
Teach Us Rochester, MN 55904
Encouraging Entry Level Roles as
Another Pathway to the Future

This is AI

AI in Every Career

ChatGPT 101: A Beginner's Guide

to AI in the Classroom

Maximizing the Potential of

ChatGPT

TechFest: Explore NEW STEM

Teaching Tools and Curriculum
SPRING 2023
STEM EDUCATOR FORUM
Welcome!
We are delighted to have all of our esteemed educators gathered here for this exciting event. Today,
we embark on a journey to explore the incredible possibilities that Artificial Intelligence and
technology hold for education.

As educators, you play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of our future leaders and innovators. We are
thrilled to have you join us in this forum to learn, share, and collaborate on the latest advancements
in AI and technology, and how they can be harnessed to enhance the learning experiences of our
students.

Throughout the forum, we have curated an engaging program with dynamic speakers, interactive
workshops, and thought-provoking discussions that will provide you with valuable insights, practical
strategies, and innovative ideas to incorporate AI and technology into your educational practices.

This forum is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about fostering meaningful connections
and building a strong network of like-minded educators who share a passion for integrating AI and
technology into STEM education. It's an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from each other's
experiences, and inspire each other to push the boundaries of what's possible in education.

We extend our deepest appreciation to all our attendees, sponsors, and partners for their unwavering
support in making this forum a reality.

Once again, a warm welcome to the STEM Educator Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Technology!
Let's embark on this exciting journey together and explore the limitless potential of AI and technology
in education. Thank you for being a part of this transformative event!

Sarah Ness, STEM Forward Program Manager

(AI wrote this.)

Dinner and TechFest Sponsor:

Door Prize Sponsor: TechFest and Door Prize Sponsors:

Session Themes
Minnesota Education Standards Increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in
STEM
Reenergizing student engagement
Building computational literacy
Preparing the STEM workforce for the
future Tools to support STEM

Parent engagement in STEM education Focusing on building educator capacity on the T

and/or career pathways in STEM with emerging tools

Engaging students where disciplines

converge
AT-A-GLANCE
April 12, 2023
4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

OAK MAPLE BIRCH CEDAR LOBBY

AI in Panel
4:30- TechFest
Discussion Audience: ALL
5:20 Audience: ALL

5:20-
5:35
Pick up Dinner TechFest Future Educator Career Fair

This is AI Equity, Belonging, ChatGPT 101: A

Audience: Elementary (K-
A STEM Career and CS: What the Beginner's Guide
2), Elementary (3-5), MS Can Start With Graphic Novel to AI in the
5:35- Power On! Can TechFest,
(6-8), HS (9-12), Before & An Entry Level Classroom
6:25 After School Programs) Teach Us Audience: Early Ed, Future Career Fair
Position Audience: MS(6-8), Elementary (K-2), Audience: ALL
Audience: HS (9-12) HS (9-12) Elementary (3-5),
MS (6-8), HS (9-12)

Encouraging Entry Combining Maximizing the

Literacy and Potential of
AI in Every Career Level Roles as
6:30- Engineering in ChatGPt TechFest,
Audience: MS (6-8), Another Pathway
7:20 HS (9-12)
Early Childhood Audience: Early Ed,
Future Career Fair
Elementary (K-2),
to the Future Classrooms Elementary (3-5), Audience: ALL
Audience: HS (9-12) Audience: Early Ed, MS (6-8), HS(9-12)
Elementary (K-2)

7:20-
7:30
Closing Remarks & Door Prize Drawing
SESSION INFORMATION
4:30 - 5:20 P.M.

AI Panel Discussion
Panelists: Jen Hegna, Wren Hoffman, Burke Enger, and Joel Candrell
Audience: All
Room: Oak Time: 4:30 PM

Do you want to understand why the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) is percolating to the top of
conversations in education and how you can best embrace this disruptive technology? During this
session, our panelists will discuss how our connected lives depend on AI, the implications of AI, and why
an equitable and accessible approach to AI integration in education is paramount to your student’s
future. Attendees of this session will walk away with a deeper understanding of AI and integration ideas
for the classroom/district that leads to positive youth outcomes in education and success in the
workforce after graduation.

5:35 - 6:25 P.M.

This is AI
Facilitator: Wren Hoffman
Audience: Elementary (K-2), Elementary (3-5), MS (6-8), HS (9-12), Before & After School Programs
Room: Oak Time: 5:35 PM

Course description: Artificial intelligence (AI) surrounds us and already deeply impacts many of us almost
daily, from social media recommendations to smart homes and automobile safety. Attendees will explore
an array of AI tools to better understand what artificial intelligence is and how it is part of our everyday
world, then evaluate it from their own unique perspectives. You’ll walk away with projects that will build
the skills needed to change the course of AI's future, from thwarting facial recognition in search of privacy
to weighing the pros and cons of deepfakes in politics. Attendees will explore how AI fits into their
curriculum and participate in a collaborative brainstorm to develop a community knowledge base of
projects.

A STEM Career Can Start With an Entry Level Position

Facilitator: Mandy Satterfield
Audience: HS (9-12)
Room: Maple Time: 5:35 PM

Course description: Regardless of what path a student is looking to follow, an entry level position can be
part of that pathway. We will look at what qualifies as an entry level position, the types of entry level
positions, and the benefits of entry level positions.
SESSION INFORMATION

Equity, Belonging, and CS:

What the Graphic Novel Power On! Can Teach Us
Facilitator: Rachelle Haroldson and Andrea Wilson Vazquez
Audience: MS (6-8), HS (9-12)
Room: Birch Time: 5:35 PM

Course description: In this interactive and collaborative session we dig into the equity ideas and CS
concepts from the graphic novel Power On! by Jean J. Ryoo, Jane Margolis, and Charis JB. We will offer
two approaches. The first will be how to apply these ideas with CS high school students and ways to
discuss the salient topics from AI to access. The second approach will be how to lead discussions with
your PLC and CS curriculum teams. Participants will engage in activities centering social justice issues in
CS, creating a sense of belonging in the classroom, and using the interdisciplinary lens of literature and
CS. In addition, participants will come away with lesson ideas aligned to CS standards and discussion
guides to use with colleagues.

ChatGPT 101: A Beginner's Guide

to AI in the Classroom
Facilitator: Jen Hegna
Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary (K-2), Elementary (3-5), MS (6-8), HS (9-12)
Room: Cedar Time: 5:35 PM

Course description: This is an introductory session for educators and administrators with little to no
experience with ChatGPT. You will be provided with a basic understanding of how ChatGPT works, how it
can be used in different educational settings, and its benefits and limitations. Included will be hands-on
activities for participants to explore and experiment with the tool.
SESSION INFORMATION
6:30 - 7:20 P.M.

AI in Every Career
Facilitator: Wren Hoffman
Audience: MS (6-8), HS (9-12)
Room: Oak Time: 6:30 PM

Course description: Artificial intelligence (AI) surrounds us and will have a profound impact on our future.
AI already deeply affects our Generation Z students, from TikTok's recommendations to automated
resume readers. Attendees will explore various careers to consider how AI might impact them differently.
Leveraging students' everyday interests, you’ll walk away with projects that will build the skills needed to
thrive in an AI world, from understanding bias to getting a loan. Attendees will explore how AI fits into
their curriculum and participate in a collaborative brainstorm to develop a community knowledge base
of projects.

Encouraging Entry Level Roles

As Another Pathway to the Future
Facilitator: Mandy Satterfield
Audience: HS (9-12)
Room: Maple Time: 6:30 PM

Course description: This presentation will focus on encouraging students to consider entry-level roles as
a pathway to a fulfilling career. The benefits of entry-level roles are discussed.

Combining Literacy and Engineering

in Early Childhood Classrooms
Facilitator: Megan Tuohy
Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary (K-2)
Room: Birch Time: 6:30 PM

Course description: Ideas for incorporating incorporate STEM education into literacy for lower
elementary students. It doesn’t have to be expensive and you don’t need fancy technology. Ideas for
taking things you already do in your classroom and adding STEM education. Actual lesson ideas that are
used in a kindergarten classroom!
SESSION INFORMATION

Maximizing the Potential of ChatGPT

Facilitator: Jen Hegna
Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary (K-2), Elementary (3-5), MS (6-8), HS (9-12)
Room: Cedar Time: 6:30 PM

Course description: This session is designed to help K12 educators and administrators delve deeper into
the use of ChatGPT to support student learning and optimize workflows. Participants will have the
chance to share their own experiences and collaborate with colleagues on practical applications of
ChatGPT. In addition, participants will be encouraged to consider ethical and social implications of using
ChatGPT to ensure that this technology is used responsibly and for the benefit of their learners.

Connecting classrooms to
careers and life to learning.
Expert presenters
Experiential Learning Hosts
On-Demand STEM Career Videos

www.futureforward.org
BIOGRAPHIES

Burke Egner
Burke has been with the Albert Lea Area Schools for 5 years and is currently the District Technology
Integrationist, as well as the head coach for both the middle school and high school robotics program.
Burke has been in education since 2004 and has had teaching roles from elementary to high school, always
in the vein of STEM and Computer Science related course work. Burke's spirit animal is a UNICORN and his
goal hist to help ALL he meets find their Magic and BE the ONE Awesome Unicorn they can be!

Joel Candrell
Joel leads programming for the Minnesota Technology Association. His passion is harnessing meaningful
relationships and technical solutions to solve intractable challenges. Prior to joining MnTech, Joel held
many roles over nearly 12 years at Genesys Works in the Twin Cities—a talent pipeline for students in
underserved communities pursuing careers in business technology. He helped provide 2,300 year-long high
school and college internships and $31 million in student wages during this time. Joel and his wife, Lorie,
live in north Minneapolis with their three kids. Family, coffee, soccer, coaching, beer, public speaking, and
church are passions that make his life good.me

Rachelle Haroldson
Rachelle Haroldson is an Instructional Designer at the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at the
University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She has worked as a STEM educator with pre-service teachers pushing
them to identify as STEM teacher leaders. In collaboration with a former graduate student she has written
articles and presented on integrating children’s books and graphic novels in computer science education.
Using an equity lens she works with instructors in all areas and grade levels to help them help their
students see themselves as the kind of people who do STEM and CS.

Jennifer Hegna
Jen Hegna is the Director of Information and Learning Technology for Byron Public Schools in Byron,
Minnesota, with 26 years of experience in edtech leadership. Jen's extensive experience in visioning and
planning has enabled her to witness firsthand how technology can enhance, support, and transform
education. She is passionate about change leadership and strives to develop and support new paradigms
that better serve ALL students.

Wren Hoffman
Wren is an educator with experience in teaching, coaching, professional development, leading, and
program management. She brings more than 20 years in education to this position, with 13 of them
teaching computer science. Wren previously served as the Computer Science State Lead at the Iowa
Department of Education tasked with expanding computer science K-12 instruction in Iowa. She also ran
the SCRIPT (Strategic CSforALL Resource and Implementation Planning Tool) program at CSforALL which
supported districts in developing equitable K-12 computer science pathways.

Mandy Satterfield
Mandy Satterfield is the Career Awareness Specialist within Workforce Development at Mayo Clinic. Prior to
this role she was the Administrative Assistant for Workforce Development for the over 2 years as part of her
8 years at Mayo Clinic. Her path to this role took her through a degree in Psychology, non-profit work with
teenagers, and human resource experience in both healthcare and manufacturing.
BIOGRAPHIES
Megan Tuohy
My name is Megan Tuohy and I am currently teaching my 5th year at Dover-Eyota Elementary School. I have
taught kindergarten all 5 years but get to experience all grade levels Pre-K-6th grade when I teach Camp
Invention every summer. I am passionate about incorporating STEM education in my classroom. I want
other teachers to know it doesn’t have to be expensive and it can be cross curricular taught.

Andrea Wilson Vazquez

Andrea Wilson Vazquez is the Director of Educator Training & School Partnerships with Code Savvy, a MN
non-profit working to expand equitable and engaging K-12 computer science education. She is also a
teacher and most recently worked as an innovative instructional coach at an alternative high school,
partnering with teachers to engage students with unique learning needs in creative problem solving with
technology. Andrea is the co-president of the Minnesota chapter of the Computer Science Teachers
Association and is passionate about the role of equity in CS ed and works to empower each learner to
develop a mindset in which they see themselves as confident, creative, critical thinkers.

Things I don't want to forget:

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