NETA 2026: Full Schedule

The NETA Board is excited to welcome you to a dynamic learning experience on April 30-May 1,2026, at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney, Nebraska.

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10:15am CDT

Byte-Sized CS: Short Computer Science Activities

Friday May 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Bronze 3

Dive into a collection of short (25-50-minute), engaging activities that I have found over the years. Spanning topics from cyber security to physical computing, digital citizenship, and more. We will introduce you to fun activities to aid your students' computer science journey.

Speakers

Kimberly Ingraham-Beck

Computer Science Teacher/Esports Coach, Gretna Public Schools

Kimberly Ingraham-Beck is a high school Computer Science teacher at Gretna Public Schools with a background in music education, technology, and curriculum development. She holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and three master’s degrees... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Bronze 3

Concurrent Session

Company Computer Science
Audience Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Citizenship
Subject Middle, Secondary
Area All

10:15am CDT

Virtual Friends, Real Risks: Guiding Youth in the Age of AI

Friday May 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Silver 5

Nearly three out of four teens have used AI companions. This session examines its impact on the well-being and social development of youth. Attendees will learn why teens turn to chatbots, the risks of emotional dependency, and how to guide students and families toward healthy digital boundaries and human relationships.

Speakers

Adam Vinter

Education Outreach Manager, Common Sense Media

Adam is an Education Outreach Manager at Omaha Public Schools in Omaha, Nebraska. He collaborates with Common Sense Media to help regional educators, students, and families approach media and technology thoughtfully while building healthy habits at school and home. By providing trustworthy... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Silver 5

Concurrent Session

Company Library Media
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Citizenship, Middle Grades (6th-8th), Social Emotional Learning
Subject Middle, Secondary
Area Novice

11:15am CDT

Are You Ready Player One? The EPIC Rise of Esports in Nebraska!

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Silver 11

Step into the new frontier of education! This dynamic session provides middle and high school educators with a clear, actionable guide to the rapidly expanding world of esports and how it can be leveraged for student success in Nebraska. We’ll move past the stereotypes to focus on the tangible educational pathways emerging from competitive gaming.

Speakers

Matt Hinkel

Nate Simons

Director of Technology, [email protected]

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 11

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Conversation, Digital Citizenship
Subject Middle, Secondary
Area All

11:15am CDT

Before The Prompt: Foundational Skills for AI-Ready Students

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Silver 5

AI literacy— the ability to understand, question, and thoughtfully engage with AI systems—begins well before students use chatbots. In this session, educators will explore foundational lessons from Common Sense that help students question what's real, evaluate altered media, credit original work, identify credible sources, and understand digital consent. We must build students' critical thinking and ethical awareness to prepare them for an AI-driven world.

Speakers

Adam Vinter

Education Outreach Manager, Common Sense Media

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 5

Concurrent Session

Company Library Media, Teaching & Learning
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Citizenship, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Library Media
Subject Elementary, Middle
Area Novice

11:15am CDT

Tap, Type, Transform: Tech-Powered Adventures

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Bronze 2

What if students could move from surface-level thoughts to real insight? In this fast-paced, hands-on session, explore how simple tech tools ignite critical thinking, boost engagement, and guide students toward authentic self-realization. Discover easy-to-use strategies that turn “I’m done” into “Wait, I just realized something!” and help every learner tap, type, and transform their thinking.

Speakers

Brenda Larabee

ELA 10-12 Teacher, Stuart High School/ Nebraska Writing Project

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Bronze 2

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Creation/Design Tools, Cross Curriculum
Subject Elementary, Middle, Secondary, Higher Education
Area All

1:00pm CDT

Kai Bots. Not a question, it is the ANSWER!

Friday May 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Bronze 3

A fresh way to unlock coding for all! Showing you a new an innovative way to learn to FAIL then SUCCEED with STEM! Kai Bots are for all ages!

Speakers

Mitzi Luedtke

Tech Coordinator/Elem Tech Teacher, Humphrey Public Schools

Friday May 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Bronze 3

Concurrent Session

Company Elementary, Teaching & Learning
Audience Assistive Technology, Computer Science, Cross Curriculum, Maker/Makerspace
Subject Elementary, Middle
Area All

1:00pm CDT

Less Grading, More Growing: How AI Shifted Focus to Student Ownership

Friday May 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Silver 5

What if your students took charge of their learning and you got your evenings back? I started using NotebookLM to create Mastery Notebooks that guide students through what mastery looks like for each unit. The results? I stopped assigning busywork and grading everything. Students became more independent, some reluctantly. This shift is about reclaiming time and increasing student ownership. This session explores how to build structure, promote mastery, and stop chasing kids for late work.

Speakers

Brock Rezny

Middle School Math and Science, Malcolm Public Schools

Friday May 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Silver 5

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Assessment, Math, Science
Subject Middle, Secondary
Area All

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11:15am CDT

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