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.

10:15am CDT

Prototyping Prosthetics: Reimagining the Elementary Engineering Design Process

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Silver 4

Trade in desks for lab coats! This immersive session transforms elementary students into bioengineers through a project-based medical simulation. Discover a workflow that navigates the "Engineering Design Process," challenging young learners to solve complex anatomical problems for their stuffed animal patients using 3D printing. This approach ensures students engage in multiple areas of research and design.

This demonstration shows how to seamlessly integrate multimodal technology—including Apple Pages, Merge EDU, and Tinkercad—leading up to the final 3D fabrication of functional prosthetics, offering a true Universal Design for Learning (UDL) experience.

Participants will explore the technical scaffolding needed to move students from initial patient assessment annotations to the slicing and printing of custom-fit, bio-mechanical prototypes. Join us to receive digital "medical files" that bridge the gap between empathetic storytelling and cutting-edge classroom innovation.

Speakers

Angela Daigle

Library Services Department Head, Millard Public Schools

Anne Ogg

Instructional Technology Facilitator, Millard Public Schools

Millard Public Schools
Instructional Technology Facilitator

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session

Company All Levels
Audience All, High Ability/Gifted, Emerging Technology, Maker/Makerspace, Science
Subject All Levels
Area All

11:15am CDT

TIS Birds of a Feather

Thursday April 30, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Silver 4

Birds of A Feather - Educator’s Remix:TIS
No presenters, no slides—just real talk. This Birds of a Feather session is designed for Technology Integration Specialists to dive into the topics that matter most to you. Whether you want to discuss AI implementation, professional development hacks, or classroom management in a 1:1 environment, come ready to share your wins and brainstorm through your challenges.

Speakers

Terry Julian

Technology Facilitator, Hastings Public Schools

I have long enjoyed helping teachers use technology, As a district technology facilitator, I am very thankful to now be able to do that on a daily basis.

Thursday April 30, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 4

Birds of a feather

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist

1:00pm CDT

Ctrl+Alt+Fix: Rebooting Your School’s Tech Strategy and Culture

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Silver 4

After going 1:1 post-COVID without structure, our school faced inconsistency and frustration. A teacher-driven plan introduced access tiers, intentional blocking/unblocking, and a quick request process to align tools with learning. Now, tech use is purposeful—students create, collaborate, and practice digital citizenship, teachers lead PD, and a shared Tech Philsophy ensures transparency and a consistent, empowering culture.

Speakers

Leia Rumsey

Media Specialist, Norris 160 Intermediate School

Make your library the heart of the school with creative programming that draws in students and staff alike. Discover the impact of themed events, whole-school celebrations, and fun passive programs (like Fat Bear Week, book brackets, or kindness challenges) that spark excitement without... Read More →

Jason Gault

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Classroom Management, Digital Citizenship, Leadership, Learning Spaces
Subject Elementary, Middle
Area All

2:00pm CDT

Tiny Robots, Big Curriculum Impact

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Silver 4

Move beyond the basics to explore creative, classroom-ready ways to integrate robots and digital manipulatives into your curriculum. You’ll get "under the hood" with a variety of tools, discovering how to bridge the gap between play and pedagogy through quick, scalable activities that hit literacy, math, and problem-solving standards. Whether you’re looking to revitalize your existing kit or are just starting your robotics journey, you’ll walk away with a "Quick-Start" menu of project ideas and the confidence to turn any robotic moment into a meaningful learning movement.

Speakers

Angela Daigle

Library Services Department Head, Millard Public Schools

Anne Ogg

Instructional Technology Facilitator, Millard Public Schools

Millard Public Schools
Instructional Technology Facilitator

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Silver 4

2:45pm CDT

Device Optional Integration

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm CDT

Silver 4

Explore the potential of technology integration to energize K-5 learning with device-optional strategies and examples that require critical thinking, inspire creativity, promote collaboration, and reveal student thinking.

Speakers

Tina Williams

Technology Coordinator, McCook Public Schools

McCook Public Schools

NETA 2026 Device Optional Integration pdf

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session

Company Computer Science, Elementary
Audience Computer Science, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd)
Subject Elementary
Area Novice

3:45pm CDT

Teaching Beyond the Prompt: Authentic Learning with AI

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT

Silver 4

Discover how to integrate artificial intelligence in K–12 classrooms without losing authentic learning. This session helps teachers design lessons where students think critically, create meaningfully, and use AI responsibly. Attendees will learn how to balance technology use with cognitive engagement and ethical classroom practices that promote deeper understanding.

Speakers

Kelly Gatewood

Instructional Design and Technology Professor, Keiser University

Hi,
My name is Kelly Gatewood. I have been active with NETA for 30+ years. My interests include instructional design for motivating student through technology use and events of instruction.

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Assessment, Digital Citizenship, Staff Development
Subject All Levels
Area All

10:15am CDT

AI in Education: What One Educator Uses and Why

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

Silver 4

Veteran Teacher, Stephen Spiehs has narrowed the focus from prior presentations in order to highlight just a few of his AI for Education 'favorites'. He shares why he likes them, how and why they work for him, and how he's able to serve his students via engagement while also promoting educational ownership. This session is geared to be participatory, so the audience should please be ready to share in small group and whole group discussions as well!

Speakers

Stephen Spiehs

Friday May 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist

11:15am CDT

Beyond the Basics: Maximizing Google for Education

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

Silver 4

Google for Education keeps growing — and so do the ways it can support your classroom. This session will highlight Google Classroom updates, share practical tips and tricks across Google tools, and showcase simple strategies that save time and enhance learning

Speakers

Heather Callihan

Technology Integration Specialist, Northwest Public Schools

Heather Callihan is the Technology Integration Specialist for Northwest Public Schools in Grand Island, Ne. Heather is currently the NETA Board president (@YourNETA), Common Sense Certified Educator and Ambassador. Heather has a passion for integrating technology in education. She... Read More →

NETA 2026 Beyond the Basics Maximizing Google for Education jpg

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Google Suite, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Middle Grades (6th-8th), Secondary (9th-12th)
Subject All Levels
Area All

1:00pm CDT

Let’s Talk About AI: A Roundtable on Teaching, Ethics, and Experience

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

Silver 4

Join an interactive roundtable where educators discuss how AI is transforming their classrooms. From lesson design to student accountability, participants will share successes, challenges, and questions about using AI in real learning environments. The goal is open conversation and collective problem-solving.

Speakers

Kelly Gatewood

Instructional Design and Technology Professor, Keiser University

Hi,
My name is Kelly Gatewood. I have been active with NETA for 30+ years. My interests include instructional design for motivating student through technology use and events of instruction.

Friday May 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Conversation, Digital Citizenship, Staff Development
Subject All Levels
Area All

10:15am CDT

11:15am CDT

1:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:45pm CDT

3:45pm CDT

10:15am CDT

11:15am CDT

1:00pm CDT

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