2025 ROE8 Summer Institute

Arrive for the day with enough time to grab a light breakfast, grab your swag bag, choose your seat, and signin prior to 8:30am. Signin is digital, ensure you bring a device that can scan a QR code in order to complete the sign in process.

The morning kicks off with a short welcome, introduction, and general guidelines for the day.

In a world driven by emerging technologies, the most valuable skill we can teach students is how to think creatively and design solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. This keynote will explore how to blend creativity, critical thinking, and technology to foster innovative mindsets in the classroom. Discover practical strategies, real-world examples, and inspiring ideas to empower students to become creative problem-solvers and future-ready innovators. Join us to rethink how technology can be more than just a tool—it can be a canvas for imagination and design.

Artificial Intelligence isn’t just a tool—it’s a creative partner that can inspire new ways of thinking and problem-solving in the classroom. In this session, we’ll explore how educators can leverage AI to enhance creativity and critical thinking, empowering students to innovate and approach challenges from fresh perspectives.

Discover practical ways to integrate AI-driven tools that encourage imaginative thinking—like generating story ideas, designing interactive art, creating data-driven visualizations, and even producing stunning AI-generated images. We’ll also discuss how to use AI as a catalyst for critical discussions about ethics, bias, and responsible use, pushing students to think deeply about the technology shaping their future.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or are already integrating it into your teaching, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to make AI an inspiring part of your creative classroom.

Unlock your students’ creative potential by bringing design thinking into your classroom and makerspace! In this one-hour session, you’ll discover how to inspire purposeful creativity through the design thinking process—whether you have access to cutting-edge makerspace tools or just everyday classroom materials.

We’ll explore how tools like 3D printers, laser engravers, and Cricut machines can bring design principles to life, but we’ll also dive into practical strategies for applying the same concepts without specialized equipment. Hear real-world examples of how teachers have successfully integrated design thinking into their curriculum to foster creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Whether you're new to making or a seasoned pro, this session will leave you with fresh ideas and practical inspiration to empower your students as creative problem-solvers—no matter the resources available.

During this session, all attendees will choose to rotate through various stations, each focusing on a different "tech tip" that can be implemented in the classroom.