Workshop 2016 will feature a stimulating mix of new features and old favorites. Among the more than 250 learning opportunities and outstanding speakers are demonstrations of digital learning, and new and exciting ways districts can embrace iSTEAM and sustainability initiatives.
Workshop will be held Oct. 25-27 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
Tour the Digital Learning Revolution Mobile Classroom! Step inside a 38-foot classroom-on-wheels and experience a complete mobile solution for schools. Along with inspiring presentations, the Digital Learning Revolution Tour demonstrates solutions for mobile technology integration and brings the full experience to your school’s doorstep. The Digital Learning Revolution Mobile Classroom will be available on the exhibit floor on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 25 & 26..
eLearning on the Exhibit Floor Stage On Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to noon, Workshop will explore eLearning right on the exhibit floor stage. Teacher Kathleen Menake and her students from the Contemporary Issues through Videoconferencing class at Passaic Valley Regional High School in Little Falls will participate in this groundbreaking presentation using the power of technology.
Integrative STEAM Command Center and “STEAM Tank” Challenge In the iSTEAM Command Center, formerly part of the “iSTEAM and Green Command” Center, integrative STEAM now has its own dedicated area on the exhibit floor. The area is sponsored by the U.S. Army.
Teachers will share classroom techniques along with STEAM subject matter experts, highlighting best practices and demonstrating the alignment between curriculum standards and innovative, hands-on projects. The iSTEAM Command Center will demonstrate how an Integrative STEAM approach is the common denominator for student success.
The New Jersey Technology and Engineering Educators Association (NJTEEA), and the Freehold Regional and Toms River Regional Schools, have teamed up to create a “Making a MakerSpace” demonstration area, featuring both the high-tech and low-tech aspects of creating a MakerSpace in schools. The center will also feature the return of the Camden County Technical School robotics team.
STEAM Tank Challenge The popular television show “Shark Tank” is a competition of ingenuity and creativity, pitting would-be inventors against each other in a quest to see their ideas move toward becoming actual products. Borrowing from this idea, NJSBA is launching the STEAM Tank Challenge at Workshop 2016. This challenge will provide an avenue for students and their teachers to enhance and promote the integrative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) education initiatives. Earlier this year, school districts were “challenged” to invent something new, modify an existing product, or identify a situation or problem that needs resolution. Entries have gone through preliminary judging, with the final live judging to take place at Workshop on the exhibit floor Oct. 25 and Oct. 26, 2016. The programs will be judged in a format similar to the TV show Shark Tank®. Review the programs on the online Workshop schedule.
Workshop Registration, Cost, and Housing The cost of Workshop group registration for boards of education and member charter schools is $1,400. Individual registration is $275. The group registration covers up to 14 team members, and may include school board members, the business administrator, superintendent, facilities manager, curriculum coordinator and technology director. School business administrators may start the registration process online at any time.
A block of rooms has been secured at a number of hotels in Atlantic City. Please review the housing information on the Workshop website. Housing must be handled by the school business administrator. The last day to pay for and to make reservations under the Workshop 2016 block is Friday, Sept. 23.
Registration Deadline NJSBA strongly advises that school business administrators register their members for the annual Workshop training conference by September 27 to avoid onsite lines and delays. With the exception of the districts participating in the badge pilot program*, badges for attendees registered by September 27 will be mailed to the school business administrator, along with a confirmation letter. Attendees registered after September 27, will be required to go to on-site registration on the second floor of the Atlantic City Convention Center, outside of Hall D, to have their badges printed.
Badge Pilot Program* Burlington, Middlesex, and Union counties have been selected for participation in our on-site badge printing pilot program. Workshop attendees from these three districts will be able to print their own badges at registration outside of Hall D at the Convention Center in Atlantic City using a barcode they receive via email. (Accommodations will be made for attendees who forget to bring their barcodes.)
More Information School officials should ask their school business administrator to register their districts for Workshop 2016 as soon as possible. Information on registration, housing, event schedules and more can be found on the Workshop website.