2025 Summer Technology Institute

Focusing on the Future

August 5-7, 2025 | Virtual Event

Please join us for this dynamic community event on August 5 – 7, 2025.

This virtual conference will have thematic strands, workshops, plenary sessions, community building, networking, and learning. We will be inspired by leaders, researchers, and innovators in both library sciences and educational technology from across the United States. Come learn with us and feel empowered to innovate, create, lead.

Participants will earn contact hours/CEUs through professional development or 3 graduate credits by enrolling in either EDT 580 or LMS 580.

For more information, contact Mia Morrison, Summer Technology Institute Coordinator, at mia.morrison@maine.edu.

This event is sponsored by the collaborative Master of Education in Instructional Technology program, an effort between the University of Maine, the University of Maine at Farmington, and the University of Southern Maine.

Igniting Student Curiosity

Plenary Speaker: Michael Hernandez

Michael is an award-winning teacher, author, and speaker in Los Angeles whose work focuses on digital and civic literacy, authentic assessment, and innovative teaching strategies. His book, Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity (ISTE) helps educators increase student engagement, and his course, Uncheatable Assessments, shows how to design assignments that foster academic integrity in the age of AI.

Michael leads workshops and speaks at conferences in the U.S. and abroad, and is a National Geographic Grosvneor Teacher Fellow, Apple Distinguished Educator, and PBS Digital Innovator. Follow him on Linked In, Bluesky: @cinehead.bsky.social, Instagram: @changing.the.narrative, and at www.michael-hernandez.net.

Recommended Reading: Storytelling with Purpose – Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity. Michael will reference sections during the plenary.

Plenary Info

Strands

Presenters:

Paula Boyce

Literacy Leader/
Librarian

University of Maine, Orono, ME

Laura Capobianco

Technology Coordinator & Instructional Technology Coach

Immaculate Conception School, Newburyport, MA

Learn More

Presenters:

Rebecca Buchanan

Associate Professor

University of Maine, Orono, ME

Dr. Margaret Clark

Associate Professor in Education

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA

Learn More

Presenters:

Dan Ryder

Learning Facilitator

CRCS Overman,
Skowhegan, ME

Jeff Bailey

Technology Teacher

Mountain Valley High School,
Rumford, ME

Learn More

A composite photo of Nadia and Neal Rioux

Presenters:

Nadia Rioux

Social Studies/
Science Teacher

Tripp Middle School,
Turner, ME

Neal Rioux

English Teacher

Yarmouth High School
Yarmouth, ME

Learn More

Workshop Leaders

Circulation Specialist

University of Maine at Fort Kent
Fort Kent, ME

Workshop: AI and AASL Standards: Education Evolved!

Digital Learning Coach

Los Lunas Public Schools
Los Lunas, New Mexico

Workshop: Achieving Wellness Through Creativity: Digital Pathways for Educator Well-being

Technology Coordinator and Coach

Immaculate Conception School Newburyport, MA

Workshop: Reimagining Spaces: The Making of an Innovation Lab (more information coming soon)

Science Educator

Coppell High School
Coppell, TX

Workshop: Creative Classrooms – A Student’s Perspective

Senior Director

Future Ready Learning

Workshop: Fostering Belonging in the Math Classroom through Creativity and Technology

Cinema and Journalism Teacher

Los Angeles, CA

Workshop: Uncheatable: Designing Assessments in the Age of AI

Director of Technology & Innovation

York School Department
York, ME

Workshop: Introducing Students to AI Safely

Librarian

Yarmouth Schools
Yarmouth, ME

Workshop: Librarians Kickstarting Inquiry

Social Studies Teacher

Boothbay Region High School
Boothbay, ME

Workshop: Creating a Dynamic Humanities Classroom

Digital Learning Coach

Los Lunas Public Schools, Los Lunas, New Mexico

Workshop: Achieving Wellness Through Creativity: Digital Pathways for Educator Well-being

Workshop Sessions

Creative Classrooms – A Student’s Perspective – Jodie Deinhammer

Uncheatable: Designing Assessments in the Age of AI – Michael Hernandez

Librarians Kickstarting Inquiry – Amy Roberson

AI and AASL Standards: Education Evolved! – Dana Appleby

Fostering Belonging in the Math Classroom through Creativity and Technology –
Julie Garcia

Creating a Dynamic Humanities Classroom – Nick Scott

Achieving Wellness Through Creativity: Digital Pathways for Educator Well-being – Tamara Aragon and Rose Trujillo

Reimagining Spaces: The Making of an Innovation Lab – Laura Capobianco

Introducing Students to AI Safely – Eric Lawson

Event Schedule

9:00 am: Welcome – Mia Morrison

9:15 am: Strand Session

11:00 am: Break

11:15 am: Plenary Speaker – Michael Hernandez

12:30 pm: Lunch Break

1:30 pm: Workshop Session #1

2:45 pm: Break

3:00 pm: Strand Session

5:00 pm: End of Day 1

7:30 am: FIKA (optional – social time)

8:00 am: Welcome – Mia Morrison

8:10 am: Strand Session

10:15 am: Break

10:30am: Session – Nadia and Neal Rioux

12:00 pm: Lunch Break

1:00 pm: Workshop Session #2

2:15 pm: Break

2:30 pm: Student Presentations

3:30 pm: Strand Session

5:00 pm: End of Day 2

7:30 am: FIKA (optional – social time)

8:00 am: Welcome – Mia Morrison

8:10 am: Strand Session

9:45 am: EdCamp – Jeff Bailey and Dan Ryder

10:50 am: Break

11:00 am: Workshop Session #3

12:15 pm: Lunch Break

1:00 pm: Strand Session

2:30 pm: Closing

3:00 pm: End of Day 3

Registration

Graduate Credit
(includes 3-Day Institute)

Enroll in either EDT 580 or LMS 580 to earn 3 graduate credits

Graduate Course Dates:
July 21 – August 15, 2025

Graduate Course Registration Deadline: July 25

How to enroll:

Step 1: Complete the Conference Registration Form
Step 2: Enroll in EDT 580 or LMS 580 in one of two ways

CURRENT DEGREE STUDENTS can enroll the EDT 580 or LMS 580 course at umaine.edu/portal
NON-DEGREE STUDENTS must complete an online application in order to enroll in the course. Use the code UMSUMNDAP25 to have the application fee waived.

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