NCTIES2025

Differentiation doesn't have to be daunting! In this hands-on session participants will learn easy-to-implement strategies (paired with tech tools) for differentiating instruction tied to best practices for reaching all types of learners. These approaches can be immediately added to enhance upcoming lesson plans.

In this session, explore how EduProtocols—highly engaging instructional routines—align with the key competencies of the NC Portrait of a Graduate. Learn practical strategies to develop students' skills in critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, and communication. You'll also discover how to support your educational community in implementing EduProtocols, ensuring consistency across classrooms and grade levels. Our team will show how we successfully integrated these strategies in professional development sessions with teachers, providing real examples and actionable steps to make EduProtocols part of your instructional approach. This hands-on, collaborative session is perfect for K-12 educators and instructional leaders looking to empower future-ready learners.

Join us for a fun and informative session! We'll dive into Google's powerful tools and learn tips, tricks, and best practices. Through hands-on activities you'll discover how to enhance your teaching and learning experiences. Let's celebrate tech and make some Mardi Gras magic together!

Looking to add flexibility to your fixed library schedule while also not compromising on circulation? Does your school counselor want a way to teach students consistently without being in the specials rotation? We’ve figured out how to get the best of both worlds: a parade-worthy librarian/counselor team-up! Learn about the plan we presented to our admin, as well as our day-to-day reality. We will share two schedule options as well as lesson ideas for collaboration and co-teaching. Participants will also have the chance to add to the conversations and share their expertise!

Come see how to combine the use of tech tools while students are creating crafty projects with a makerspace mentality. Leave with 15 lesson plans that are maker inspired and cover various subject areas. Some of the session highlights: Chatterpix and making anything talk with this free app, simple stop motion animation projects through the use of a free imotion app, green screen with WeVideo, using Makey-Makeys with conductive tape and other paper electronic projects. This session will also show how to best showcase student work using SeeSaw, Rocket Book Notebooks and the Qball.

Come create an FREE app for your classroom or school using Google Slides to keep your students or families updated of the awesome things happening in your school or classroom.

Participants will learn how to introduce students to documentary creation, from brainstorming a topic, to storyboarding, to final editing. We analyze scenes from documentary vignettes to understand the audio/visual aspects of filmmaking. We introduce sources of copyright friendly media as well as materials used to teach citation of these sources. Finally, we will showcase our use of the video editing platform, WeVideo.

With a demonstration of how to light an LED, and escalating to the creation of a timed traffic light, participants will be able to learn the necessary skills and pedagogy needed to implement Tinkercad Coding and Circuitry in their STEM or Computer Science classes.

Please bring your device for full engagement!

Helping students develop information literacy skills in the age of AI is not only necessary, it’s a breeze…with the help of AI, of course! In this session, we will experiment with various AI tools that will cover every step of the research process and learn strategies to help students develop critical thinking skills that will extend far beyond the walls of our classrooms. See how incorporating AI in your research projects will add a new layer of relevance and engagement for your students.

In the spirit of Mardi Gras, this lively and interactive session will immerse participants in a vibrant "Coding Carnival." Attendees will take part in a series of unplugged coding activities using everyday materials such as decks of cards and simple toys—just like the colorful trinkets and playful elements of a Mardi Gras parade! These hands-on activities integrate physical movement with coding patterns, transforming the session into a festive celebration of critical thinking, computational thinking, and problem-solving.
The presenter will demonstrate how each unplugged coding activity can be adapted to various skill levels, allowing participants to adjust the "floats" in their coding parade—whether they're beginners or seasoned tech enthusiasts. Through the Mardi Gras theme, we will also explore the “how and why” of coding, helping participants understand how these unplugged activities lead to stronger digital coding skills.
The session will culminate in a collaborative “Brainstorm Bead Toss,” where participants will exchange and develop new ideas, similar to the way Mardi Gras participants share and celebrate their creativity. This concluding activity will encourage educators to design their own unplugged coding activities that they can bring back to their classrooms, spreading the Mardi Gras coding spirit.