Ignite Talks
Ignite Your Learning!
Ignite Talks are 60-90 minute presentations designed to spark interest and conversation around a variety of timely topics. Check out the recording from each session, as well as related resources.
STEAM Pathway
Presented By:
The South Fayette Team
If you are considering building a vertically aligned CS/STEAM pathway for your district, or simply looking for lessons to implement in your classroom or online, we are here to support you!
Grade Level:
K-12
Hummingbird & micro:bit
Presented By:
Victoria Lojek & Samantha Edkins
South Fayette School District
Gain an overview of MakeCode and Micro:Bit to prepare students for programming with hummingbirdBits. Experience a variety of sample lessons for your virtual and physical classrooms.
Grade Level:
3-8
Consistent, Cumulative, & Competency-Driven Pathways in Computing
Presented By:
Quinn Burke, Emi Iwatani, & Pati Ruiz
Digital Promise
Explore Computational Thinking as you see examples of the how & why districts, schools, and teachers pursue CT and CS pathways.
Grade Level:
K-12
Low-Tech, High-Impact STEAM Activities
Presented By:
Melissa Unger, South Fayette School District
Using the Engineering Design Process as a framework for introducing various STEAM activities to elementary students, learn how educators across Western Pennsylvania are engaging their students in STEAM learning one Design Challenge at a time!
Grade Level:
K-6
Real World Problem-Solving
Presented By:
Cassie Quigley, University of Pittsburgh
Dani Herro, Clemson University
Ever wonder what STEAM Education looks like in classrooms? If so, this Ignite Talk will present how it differs from STEM, and how real-world problems can be used to engage students in K–8 classrooms.
Grade Level:
K-8
Stories and Sensors: Environmental Data
Presented By:
David Sanchez, University of Pittsburgh
Stories are a powerful context to communicate data. This session discusses how weaving data analysis in a process of discovery for your students can provide rich experiences for them.
Grade Level:
6-12
Scratch: Building Foundations of Programming
Presented By:
Shad Wachter, South Fayette School District
Using the Creative Computing Curriculum as a guide, learn how to use Scratch as a foundation for programming in your school. From greeting cards, to storytelling, to video games, students have the ability to express themselves, collaborate, and create.
Grade Level:
3-8
Setting Yourself Up for Success in the MakerSpace
Presented By:
Victoria Lojek & Samantha Edkins
South Fayette School District
How can I set myself up for success as I begin my MakerSpace? If this is your question, this session is for you! Our goal is for you to feel less overwhelmed as you jump back into the 2020-2021 school year, whether it’s virtual or not!
Grade Level:
3-8
Data Science at the Intersection of Art and Science
Presented By:
Aileen Owens, South Fayette School District
Jessica Kaminsky, CREATE Lab at CMU
More than ever, the ability to be successful and stay competitive in business, industry and education is based on our ability to interpret and analyze data. School districts everywhere are beginning to recognize the critical need to build computational thinking and data science opportunities in core curriculum areas to prepare our students for the future of work.
Grade Level:
K-12