Jump Start 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

11:00am MDT

Hands On With AI: Learning the Tools of AI

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

What is an LLM? What is a RAG? Is my data safe? What can use these tools for that are not just writing a lesson plan? Come explore the newest AI tools including chatbots, automations, RAGs, and more Learn how to create automations, build AI tools to support your classroom work quickly, and help you get hours back from your teaching schedule. This is a hands-on session.

Speakers

Matt Winters

AI Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Matthew Winters is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Educational Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. He was formerly a product manager and statewide trainer for Utah Education Network.He was the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology (UCET) President for 2022-2024... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 203

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum

11:00am MDT

Learning in Disguise: Painless Academic Support Through Play

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Ballroom 2

Limited Capacity seats available

Kids learn best when they do not even realize they are studying. This hands-on session provides a pattern to help afterschool educators weave critical math and literacy skills directly into the activities children naturally choose. You will learn to turn everyday play, crafts, and games into high-impact learning moments. Participants will roll up their sleeves and experience these joyful, "stealth-learning" activities firsthand. You will leave with a practical toolkit of activities that spark curiosity, preserve child autonomy, and seamlessly boost academic confidence, motivation and understanding.

Speakers

Deborah Ivie

Associate Professor, Utah State University Extension

Deborah Ivie is an associate professor at Utah State University, working with formal and informal educators to create innovative activities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Over the past six years Deb has secured and implemented over 12 million dollars in STEM and afterschool... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Ballroom 2

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

STRAND STEM
Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Program Planning and Development

1:30pm MDT

Content Creator Bootcamp: Digital Tools for Creative Communication

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Ballroom 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore digital design to cultivate student agency and self-expression. In this interactive session, we'll examine what creativity looks like in an AI-driven era through active digital content production.

Participants will gain hands-on experience using professional platforms like Adobe Express, learning to guide students in defining target audiences, building brand identities, and mastering graphic design fundamentals. By bridging the gap between students' digital passions and professional aspirations, this workshop provides practical insights into the creator economy, equipping educators to confidently guide students toward relevant 21st-century career pathways.

Speakers

Lindsey Prociw

Project Coordinator, Product Development, PCS Edventures!

Lindsey Prociw is the Project Coordinator for the Product Development team at PCS Edventures. Bringing over a decade of experience in STEM education, she has managed summer camp programs, led teacher professional development, coordinated school field trips and developed curriculum... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Ballroom 1

STEM, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades 6-8, 9-12 | TEENS
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Program Planning and Development

1:30pm MDT

Read It, Mix It, Discover It-Where Science and Literacy Come Alive!

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 203

Limited Capacity seats available

The Quirkles and Fuddlebrook Science School Series features engaging read-aloud stories with at least two science activities in each book. Participants will be introduced to these books, but also to other pieces of literature that are fun to use with science. We will explore how science investigations can strengthen reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking, all of which support the Science of Reading. Yes, eggs will fly, water will disappear, and potions will fizz all while teachers discover practical strategies for building vocabulary, deepening comprehension, and inspiring curiosity. Come and truly see how little moments will have big outcomes! You might get messy, but fun will be had by all!

Speakers

Terri Johnson

Developer/Owner, Quirkles and Fuddlebrook Science Series

Terri Johnson is the creator of the Quirkles and Fuddlebrook Science Series. She also developed an after-school program, Fiction, Facts, & Fun, that served over one thousand children in Springfield, Missouri. Terri is passionate about making literacy engaging and fun. In addition... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 203

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum

1:30pm MDT

The Math Behind the Magic: Using Illusions to Build Number Sense

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Ballroom 3

Limited Capacity seats available

How can a simple deck of cards teach deep mathematical thinking? This hands-on workshop explores how elementary afterschool educators can use simple magic tricks to reinforce foundational math concepts in a high-engagement setting. Participants will analyze how card matrices and number puzzles serve as playful, concrete representations of abstract ideas like place value, operations, and pattern recognition.Rather than just learning tricks, you will discover how to guide young learners to look past the "magic" and use logic to explain how the math works. You will walk away with an interactive toolkit of easy-to-teach routines, printable resources, and differentiation strategies perfectly suited for the relaxed, high-energy environment of afterschool programs.

Speakers

Deborah Ivie

Associate Professor, Utah State University Extension

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Ballroom 3

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Program Planning and Development

2:45pm MDT

STEM Goals - Creating the Next STEM Champion

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Ballroom 3

Limited Capacity seats available

In this training, educators will learn best practices for implementing the STEM Goals program and curriculum, gain free access to the Learn Fresh program management platform and all program materials, and learn about opportunities to extend students’ learning through virtual and in-person community events. Educators will immediately gain access to all materials needed to begin implementing with students in their programs and classrooms.

Speakers

Hunter Strickland

Senior Regional Outreach Coordinator, Learn Fresh

Based in Oklahoma City, Hunter Strickland graduated with a Bachelor’s in English Writing and later went on to obtain a MBA from Oklahoma Christian University. After graduating, Hunter found herself working part-time as an Associate Editor for the Oklahoma Hall of Fame's Gaylord-Pickens... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Ballroom 3

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades 3-5, 6-8
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum

4:00pm MDT

STEAM-Powered Learning: Play-based Activities for Young Innovators

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Ballroom 3

Limited Capacity seats available

Bring hands-on STEAM learning to life with PCS Edventures! This interactive session showcases engaging, play-based activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young learners. Explore three dynamic stations tailored to different grade levels: Cubelets Bot Builder introduces engineering and robotics, Rockin’ Robots with Sphero indi combines coding and music, Ready Set Drone! builds teamwork and problem-solving skills through mini-drone challenges. Discover how these activities promote critical thinking, collaboration, and a love for STEM while making learning fun and accessible for all students. Walk away with ideas to elevate your program with interactive, age-appropriate experiences!

Speakers

Lindsey Prociw

Project Coordinator, Product Development, PCS Edventures!

Friday October 9, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Ballroom 3

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum

11:00am MDT

Space, Paper, AI! Hands-On ESTEAM Challenges for Every Classroom

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 203

Limited Capacity seats available

Whether your program has zero access or one-to-one devices, this workshop meets you where you are. Experience an engaging, space-themed ESTEAM Design Thinking Challenge that stands alone as a no-tech prototyping activity or becomes an AI-powered learning experience, bridging together entrepreneurship, creativity, and science. You'll build, experiment, and play your way through adaptable lessons designed for any K-12 environment!

Speakers

Lindly Fernandez

Program Coordinator, VentureLab

Imagine a future where every young person is ready to dream big, tackle real challenges, and create what comes next. VentureLab makes entrepreneurship and STEM accessible to ALL youth through hands-on experiences that build creativity, collaboration, and resilience. Our evidence-based... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 203

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum

1:30pm MDT

Count Me In: Increase Math Understanding Through Sports

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Grand Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

After a long school day, the last thing kids want to do in an afterschool program is sit at a desk for more math. They want to get moving, play with friends, and burn off energy! But what if you could deliver high-quality math reinforcement without a single worksheet?This active, hands-on workshop will show you how to turn recess favorites and team sports into stealthy learning opportunities. You will discover practical ways to weave critical math concepts—like geometry, fractions, statistics, and estimation—directly into the playground games kids already love. Come ready to move, laugh, and learn how to bring fun and games to your program, completely by the numbers!

Speakers

Denise Taylor

Program Coordinator, Utah State University Extension

Denise Taylor serves as a program coordinator for USU. Over the last 14 years, she has extensive experience with making afterschool educational and fun for kids of all ages. She provided checkout materials for use in schools and afterschool throughout Utah. In her spare time she enjoys... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Grand Ballroom B

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Program Planning and Development

2:45pm MDT

Making Math Groove: Teaching Numbers Through Rhythm, Song, and Movement

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Ballroom 3

Limited Capacity seats available

Unlock the hidden math in every melody! This hands-on workshop equips afterschool educators with dynamic, "stealth math" strategies to teach foundational math concepts through high-energy music activities. Instead of worksheets, you will learn to use rhythm, song, instruments, and dance to reinforce learning naturally. Participants will actively jump, drum, and sing their way through interactive lessons. By the end of this session, you will have a ready-to-use toolkit of active musical experiences that make math feel like play.

Speakers

Nicole Rich

Afterschool Site Specialist, Utah State University Extension

Nicole Rich is a trained educator and USU Extension afterschool site specialist in Salt Lake County. She has many years' experience working in both formal and informal education. Music is one of Nicole's great loves, and she is excited to share her experiences.

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Ballroom 3

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Program Planning and Development

4:00pm MDT

Love Them or Hate Them, STEM Activities Are Real Winners

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Ballroom 3

Limited Capacity seats available

Mention "STEM" to afterschool educators, and you'll often hear two things: excitement for high engagement, or anxiety over mess, noise, and feeling out of their depth.This interactive session proves why STEM is worth the chaos. Participants will discover how hands-on activities build critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and perseverance. Attendees will jump into a hands-on design challenge, explore a showcase of STEM projects for every budget, and learn how to tap into local Utah funding and lending libraries. Leave with low-cost strategies and the confidence to run winning STEM experiences!

Speakers

Sarah Broadbent

STEM Curriculum and Engagement Project Specialist, Utah STEM Action Center

Sarah Broadbent is the new STEM Curriculum and Engagement Project Specialist at the Utah STEM Action Center. She spent the last 6 years teaching STEM rotations to grades K-6 at an elementary school in the Jordan School District. Five of those years she has organized and taught STEM... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Ballroom 3

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum

11:00am MDT

11:00am MDT

1:30pm MDT

1:30pm MDT

1:30pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

4:00pm MDT

11:00am MDT

1:30pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

4:00pm MDT

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