Presenters
Eva Betjemann is a library media specialist at a 6 -12 magnet school in Waterbury, Connecticut. She teaches library science and library media classes in which she regularly incorporates Makerspace activities. Prior to working in Waterbury, Eva was a librarian at an independent boarding school, serving students in grades 9 - post graduate, during which time she created a Makerspace.
Eva holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics, with an emphasis in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in addition to a Master’s degree in Information and Library Science.
Dr. Bhaduri received a Dual Ph.D. in Computer Science and Cognitive Science. Her primary areas of interest include Child Computer Interaction, Maker Technologies, and Learning Sciences. She explores learning environments to support underserved children in their investigation of emerging technologies, particularly programmable sensor technology and 3D printing, in a personally meaningful way.
Tiffany Cobbs, a passionate educator since 2010, specializes in computer science, digital citizenship, and STEM. As a Learning Designer for AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), she creates engaging curricula, develops innovative resources for educators and students, and creates and facilitates professional learning opportunities for educators globally. Driven by her love for education, Tiffany is committed to empowering students and teachers through captivating and innovative learning experiences. Her work as a Learning Designer allows her to positively impact education by providing educators with the tools and knowledge to inspire and guide students toward success.
Supervisor of Technology for Teaching and Learning
Dr. Michelle Eckler is the Supervisor of Technology for Teaching and Learning for the Waterbury Public Schools in Waterbury, Connecticut. In this role, Dr. Eckler helps teachers transition to a new model of instruction that encompasses a blended instructional model.
Dr. Eckler is incredibly proud to have been named one of ISTE's 20 to Watch in 2023. Dr. Eckler is an ISTE Certified Educator, Google Certified Trainer, and an ISTE Community Leader. Dr. Eckler earned her Ed.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership from Northeastern University.
Associate Director of Tech Innovation
An educational leader with 15+ years of experience in PreK-12 and higher education, curriculum, instructional design, educational technology, staffing, budgeting, and project management. Focused work and research in the areas of STEM, professional development, college and career readiness, virtual learning, collaboration, and data analysis.
Ms. Jaime Higgins was born in Upstate NY and has been teaching in Philadelphia for the last 13 years. She has a B.A. in Mathematics w/ Certification in Secondary Education from SUNY New Paltz and M.S.Ed. in Integrating Technology into the Curriculum from Walden University. She is certified in PA in 7-12 Mathematics and PA in Comp Sci. She is Google Educator Lvl 1 & 2 Certified and considers herself a Google Workspace Guru, Professional Mathematics Educator, EdTech, DigCit and CS Advocate, Webmaster, Rebel Teacher, Mathematician, Polymath, Futurist.
Social Media(all platforms): @MrsMathMagician
Assistant Professor
University of Colorado Boulder
Roboticist, Biomechanist, STEAM Educator
3rd Grade Teacher
Walsh School: Waterbury Public Schools
Jennifer is a third-grade teacher in Waterbury, Connecticut. She is a lifelong learner and passionate about helping her students develop their own love of learning. She is pursuing cross-endorsement to teach English Language Learners and is an avid reader.
Amanda (AJ) Lin is a library media specialist in Waterbury, CT. With both an MS in Educational Leadership and an MLIS, AJ has been using her time as a library media specialist to help her district reach for the 21st century by fostering makerspace development, being a part of writing and preparing others to use the city's newest curriculum, and ensuring her fellow teachers are ready to use the ISTE standards in their own learning spaces. Additionally, she directs and acts in audio theater, is a school equity lead, and co-facilitate's her district's LGBTQ+ educator affinity group.
Technology Integration Professional
Tricia Louis is an #edtech advocate. In her position as the Technology Integration Professional at the Richland School District, she brings individual & group training to the 200+ staff employed there. Tricia is proud to be a part of the Google Champions, Apple Learning Coach, and Microsoft In Education programs. Tricia shares her passion for #edtech at conferences and EdCamps in many different locations. In her personal life, Tricia is a musician and enjoys performing with local groups and she also enjoys travel and photography as her hobbies.
Staff Developer / Professor
Dr. Madlinger has thirty years of PreK-20 experience supporting teachers and leaders, as well as parents, local and state community members. Stephanie is a connected educator, adjunct professor, staff developer, director, and international presenter, seasoned at facilitating and teaching in traditional, online, and hybrid formats. Achieving Google Certification in 2008 and ISTE Certification in 2018, Stephanie stays ahead of educational trends. She has in-depth experience with instructional design using UDL, PBL, and UBD; consistently advocating for digital citizenship, educational technology, and STEM throughout. Dr. Madlinger is a respected veteran educator and proud parent of four adult children, including three educators.
Godwyn Morris is the Director of Dazzling Discoveries STEM Education Center in NYC and Skill MIll NYC, maker space style facilities in New York City. Her mission is to empower kids through hands-on creative experiences. She is the inventor of DazzLinks Cardboard Building Kits, co-creator of Engineering with Paper packets; projects that can be made with just paper, tape and scissors. Several of her projects have been published in the New York Times.
Michele Neff is a high school library media specialist in Waterbury, Connecticut, with a MLS and 19 years of experience working with elementary and high school students. Michele teaches students how to conduct research, explore technology, and refine their tech skills. She is one of the writers of a new district curriculum based on ALA and ISTE standards. Michele has also been a Codie Award judge for the past 8 years allowing her to stay up-to-date with advancements in educational technology. When she is not teaching or judging Ed tech, you can find her outside with her camera.
Instructional Technology Coach
Newport News Public Schools
Betsy Orlando has been an Instructional Technology Coach with Newport News Public Schools for the past 15 years. Prior to that, she was an ITRT with Norfolk Public Schools for 5 years and a classroom teacher in Norfolk and Florida for 10 years. Betsy enjoys sharing her passion for teaching, learning, and technology integration with her colleagues. In her free time, Betsy enjoys spending family time with her husband and son.
Technology Integration Specialist
Michelle Wendt is a Tech Integrationist, CS Coach Mentor of the SRI&ETTC, and Adjunct Instructor for Stockton University. She designs and delivers professional development programming and coaching in tech skills-building to K-12 teachers. Michelle is embedded in several SJ School districts as their in-house Technology Coach. Modeling the design and implementation of technology-enhanced learning experiences, addressing content standards and student technology standards, she speaks at conferences around the country, modeling the use of online and blended learning, digital content, and collaborative learning networks to support and extend student learning and expand opportunities and choices for online professional development.
Gerilyn Williams is a math teacher from New Jersey with 19 years of teaching experience. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about student-centered and blended learning and gamification and has been featured in Education Week articles. She has led professional development sessions within her district and community and is an active member of multiple district committees, working to improve district policies and programs for the benefit of her students.
Session description
Makerspaces are not just reserved for libraries or ed-tech classrooms. Teachers of all subject areas can benefit from makerspace projects in their classrooms. This playground will encourage educators to engage in hands-on activities in their classrooms.
Purpose & objective
The purpose of this playground is to provide educators with a place to try out different makerspace activities that could be incorporated in their content area instruction.
Participants will be able to:
- engage in makerspace activities related to their content area of choice.
- practice problem-solving and design thinking skills
- engage in dialogue with presenters related to the makerspace activities presented.
- make connections between the makerspace activities and their own instruction.
Participants will not only leave with one or more completed makerspace activities, but lesson plans and materials lists to be able to implement these same activities in their own classrooms.
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Outline
Content and Activities:
Each station in the makerspace will be dedicated to a different content area (as many as we can gather). At each station, there will be a demonstration of the makerspace activity and participants will actually engage in the process of doing whatever activity the presenter brings to the table.
Time:
Time will depend upon how long the playground lasts, how many stations there are, etc. Generally speaking each makerspace activity shouldn't last more than 10-15 minutes along with question and answer time.
Process:
People who visit this playground will be engaged in the creation of a makerspace product based in the content areas, so they will be able to find something that meets their interests.
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Supporting research
Design Thinking in the Classroom (2018), Lee
Worlds of Making: Best Practices for Establishing a Makerspace for Your School (2015), Fleming
Invent to Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom, 2nd Edition (2019)
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Explore and create: Playground 
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