IETA 2025

This is a presentation for teachers and administrators. In this presentation, we will share how to earn the Career Technical Education (CTE) Cybersecurity Teaching Endorsement. We will also share what free and open source resources you can use to build your CTE Cybersecurity high school program. Supported by the Cyber Operations and Resilience degree program at Boise State University, we conduct risk assessments for school districts to improve cybersecurity posture. Learn how we can help you with your cybersecurity risk assessment.

The hands-on workshop will run 3 hours for K-12 educators interested in implementing similar STEM activities into their teaching curriculum. Each will pick up a drone kit to build their small educational drone from scratch. The workshop organizer will provide the essential parts and components for coding exercises. The K-12 STEM educators will develop their own drone from scratch and a step-by-step building instruction will be provided by the instructor. The electronic version of the manual will also be provided, and technical issues/problems will be solved by interacting with the instructor at the IETA venue. The basic coding exercise using Arduino IDE and MIT Scratch will take place to control motors, adjust power to lift a drone from the ground, and discuss the fine-tuning methods for a safe flight. Understanding the instructor's federal regulations and safety guidelines is another avenue for all participants to fly their own drones safely and legally in the public domain. Each participant must bring their own laptop computer (preferably, Windows OS) equipped with a USB port. The workshop tuition is FREE for on-site registered personnel (Max 20 people) while an additional cost will be charged if the attendees want to keep their drones after workshop.

Botball Virtual Simulator: Bringing Robotics to Life in the Classroom
Session Description:
The Botball Virtual Simulator, developed by the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics (KIPR), is a powerful educational tool that empowers educators to bring the exciting world of robotics into their classrooms. In this comprehensive session, attendees will explore the capabilities of the Botball Virtual Simulator and discover how to leverage this engaging platform to inspire students and foster their passion for STEM learning.
Key Topics Covered:

Navigating the user-friendly Botball Virtual Simulator interface and understanding its core functionalities
Designing and programming virtual robots to navigate complex environments, complete challenges, and showcase their autonomous capabilities
Integrating the Botball Virtual Simulator into lesson plans to reinforce key concepts in computer science, engineering, and problem-solving
Leveraging the simulator's extensive library of pre-built robot models and customization options to encourage creativity and critical thinking
Exploring the Botball Virtual Simulator's assessment and reporting features to track student progress and measure learning outcomes

Anticipated Outcomes:
By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

Confidently utilize the Botball Virtual Simulator to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences for their students
Develop effective strategies for incorporating the simulator into their curriculum to support STEM education and foster 21st-century skills
Understand how to leverage the Botball Virtual Simulator's assessment tools to monitor student learning and optimize their instructional approaches
Feel empowered to introduce the Botball Virtual Simulator to their schools and classrooms, leading to increased student engagement, improved problem-solving abilities, and a deeper appreciation for the field of robotics

This session is designed for educators of all levels, from classroom teachers to STEM coordinators and school administrators, who are passionate about integrating cutting-edge technology into their teaching practices to inspire the next generation of innovators.

Join a CYBER.ORG curriculum specialist for an overview of our Intro to Cybersecurity course. The goal of this course is to introduce middle and high school students to basic cybersecurity concepts and inspire interest in cybersecurity careers. This course does not require any prerequisite knowledge in computing or cybersecurity for either the student or teacher.
In this session, our content experts will walk you through a variety of lessons that include unplugged activities, and cybersecurity labs using the CYBER.ORG Range. You will experience it through the eyes of a student, and we will also share tips for success! We encourage teachers to sign up for our no-cost curricula access(https://cyber.org/form/curricula-sign-up) and Range access (https://apps.cyber.org/apply) prior to the professional development session.

The MagicSchool AI chatbot is a powerful tool designed to support educators in their day-to-day work. In this session, we will explore how this AI-powered assistant can streamline lesson planning, content creation, and classroom management tasks. Attendees will learn how to leverage the chatbot's natural language processing capabilities to generate engaging lesson plans, customize educational resources, and access a wealth of teaching strategies and best practices.
Key Topics Covered:

Harnessing the MagicSchool AI chatbot to enhance lesson planning and content creation
Utilizing the chatbot's knowledge base to access teaching techniques, classroom management tips, and subject-specific resources
Integrating the chatbot seamlessly into your existing workflow to save time and boost productivity
Exploring the chatbot's multilingual capabilities and customization options to meet the diverse needs of your students
Anticipated Outcomes:
By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

Confidently use the MagicSchool AI chatbot to streamline their daily teaching tasks
Discover innovative ways to leverage the chatbot's capabilities to create engaging, personalized learning experiences for students
Understand how the MagicSchool AI can be tailored to their specific educational context and teaching style
Feel empowered to incorporate the chatbot into their classrooms and schools, leading to increased efficiency and improved student outcomes
This session is designed for educators of all levels, from classroom teachers to instructional coaches and school administrators, who are interested in exploring the transformative potential of AI-powered educational tools.

PBS KIDS ScratchJr. is a free coding app specifically designed for children in grades K-5. During this hands-on session, teachers will WATCH, PLAY, EXPLORE, CREATE & SHARE! They will take on the roles of Programmer, Background Designer, Character Designer, Sound Designer and Editor creating projects using their favorite PBS characters. Come learn to code with your favorite PBS characters, and develop curricular connections you can use in your classroom tomorrow.

What is stress? How can we not only survive stress but actually use it to make our lives better?

We will analyze sources of stress, discuss approaches to defuse stressful situations, and develop stress management techniques for both teachers and students such as mindfulness, active meditation, tapping and even color theory.

I will share and demonstrate a series of eight short (3-5 minute) mindfulness lessons you can take and use with students.

Then we will learn about the role of stress in job burnout and how we can make not every day a good day, but find good in every day.

What, exactly, do students need to know about Computer Science (CS)? What skills can be presented that will transfer for those who continue in CS, but more importantly, for those who continue to different careers? This talk will focus on the approach taken in BSU's CS 100 - Introduction to CS Professions, including what is being taught and why. You'll get an overview of computer science, the career paths in computer science, careers that seem like they're computer science but aren't, and what your student can expect in a computer science degree. Participants will leave with answers for students' and parents' questions about computer science, resources to help guide students as they explore their career options (no matter what field they choose), an explanation of the skills students can learn in a CS class that aren't restricted to CS, and resources for incorporating these types of activities and lessons in their own classes (whether they're CS or not!).

Learn about programs offered by the Idaho Department of Education and how to get involved. Programs offered: Adobe Express, Certification in Adobe and Microsoft, Coding in Minecraft

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, fostering innovation and invention among students is more crucial than ever. This session is designed to equip educators, mentors, and technology enthusiasts with practical strategies to inspire and guide students from beginner to intermediate levels in their journey towards becoming inventors and innovators.
Participants will explore a variety of tools and methodologies that can be seamlessly integrated into educational settings. The session will cover key topics such as cultivating a creative mindset, leveraging technology to solve real-world problems, and encouraging collaborative projects that stimulate inventive thinking.
Attendees will leave with a toolkit of actionable ideas to help students navigate the innovation process, from ideation to prototyping and beyond. Join us to unlock the potential of the next generation and empower them to shape the future through technology and creativity.

Idaho educators discuss how they have leveraged the resources offered by Idaho STEM Action Center to improve their instruction and student outcomes.

This session will go over a variety of easy to use websites and tech tools to help new teachers or just any teachers wanting some new tools.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the educational landscape, but its integration requires careful consideration to ensure ethical and effective use. In this session, participants will explore how the 1EdTech AI Data Rubric can help schools implement AI-driven tools in a way that promotes privacy, equity, and educational value. Drawing from experiences at Idaho Digital Learning Academy, we will discuss how to align AI initiatives with educational goals while safeguarding student data. This session is ideal for educators and technologists interested in the responsible use of AI in schools.
Outcomes: Attendees will:
Understand the 1EdTech AI Data Rubric and its application in K-12 settings.
Learn practical strategies for incorporating AI into teaching while ensuring privacy and equity.
Gain insights into aligning AI initiatives with school and district goals.

Discover how Learning Blade and Career Blade, in collaboration with the Idaho STEM Action Center, are transforming the educational landscape by bridging the gap between classroom learning and high-demand STEM and career pathways. These online learning resources, aligned with the First Step Standards, offer hands-on, interactive activities and industry-aligned curricula that inspire students to pursue STEM subjects and prepare them for real-world challenges.
Educators will learn how to leverage these tools to empower themselves and their students. Learning Blade, designed for grades 5-9, introduces students to STEM careers through contextualized, integrated learning experiences. The platform’s newest AI module enables students to uncover the science behind artificial intelligence and explore emerging AI-oriented careers. Career Blade, suitable for K-12 students, engages learners in career exploration and provides career-specific activities that equip them with essential skills and knowledge for the future workforce.
Participants will also explore how the Idaho STEM Action Center supports and enhances the use of these platforms, providing additional resources to strengthen STEM education across the state.
Join us to dive into the future of STEM and career education with your fully funded account at www.learningblade.com/ID.

Discover the power of digital libraries with LiLI.org’s Gale eBooks and the IDEA by ICfL OverDrive collection. In this presentation, we’ll explore two leading e-book platforms designed to enhance research, learning, and leisure reading. Learn how to access, navigate, and utilize these platforms to support education, professional development, and personal reading. Whether you’re an educator or librarian this session will provide valuable insights into the features, benefits, and best practices for using LiLI.org’s Gale eBooks and the IDEA by ICfL OverDrive collection.