The 2026 Summit is in the books

 Discover how effective prompt engineering can transform teaching, learning, and program development. Led by Nan Williams, this interactive session equips teachers, students, and non-formal educators with practical strategies for crafting AI prompts that improve lesson planning, assessment, research, communication, and creative problem-solving. Participants will practice prompt design, compare results across AI tools, and leave with reusable templates, productivity tips, and ethical guidelines for integrating AI into classrooms and informal learning environments.

 Discover a network of environmental educators, natural resource professionals, and shared resources that support K–12 schools through meaningful partnerships and place-based learning. This session highlights Project Learning Tree and Fire Ecology Learning Lab resources, which make complex forest and environmental topics accessible through age-appropriate, classroom-ready lessons. Participants will explore how environmental education strengthens STEM learning by fostering critical thinking, informed decision-making, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives on environmental issues. 

What happens when students pursue different ideas, products, and solutions while still meeting the same standards? This session explores an “organized chaos” approach to STEM learning that blends student ownership, proficiency scales, standards-based assessment, and strategic questioning to create highly engaging experiences. Through examples in engineering, coding, research, and makerspace innovation, participants will see how diverse student work can be assessed fairly using shared evidence of understanding. Attendees will leave with practical tools to increase ownership while maintaining clear expectations and accountability.

With a philanthropic gift, Northern Arizona University acquired the historic Hat Ranch near Williams in 2021, creating a site for research, teaching, and outreach 70 miles south of the Grand Canyon. Faculty, staff, and students developed a summer field course connecting learners to research and workforce skills through the Colorado Plateau. This session shares lessons from implementation and highlights strategies for partnering with educators and communities. It also explores how this place-based learning model can be adapted to other rural communities to strengthen engagement and collective impact.

Rural STEM teacher shortages are often framed as a supply issue, but this session examines how district-level decisions in staffing, resources, and partnerships shape pipeline sustainability. Drawing on action research and rural district fieldwork, including insights from superintendents, the session introduces a practical framework for identifying how well-intentioned choices can unintentionally limit STEM access over time. Participants will engage in case-based analysis and leave with actionable tools to redesign decision-making and strengthen long-term rural STEM teacher pipelines

This workshop focuses on identifying leverage points that turn STEM network efforts into observable, measurable outcomes. Participants will examine how to move beyond activity tracking toward meaningful indicators of progress, such as skill attainment, career exposure, and partnership effectiveness. The session will provide practical tools for aligning initiatives with data-driven impact and continuous improvement.

The Smithsonian STARS program, led by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, connects Classrooms to the Cosmos through a nationwide initiative bringing hands-on astronomy to rural schools. Participating schools receive a Celestron telescope, standards-aligned lessons, teacher professional development, and direct connections to Smithsonian science. The program leverages dark-sky access to spark curiosity and inspire future scientists and explorers. This session highlights the STARS mission, how schools can participate, and includes sample hands-on astronomy activities from the curriculum.

This presentation explores “Make and Take” STEM kits as a hands-on strategy to spark curiosity, creativity, and real-world problem-solving in both classroom and informal learning spaces. Participants will see how these kits support collaboration and applied STEM learning while increasing accessibility for diverse learners. The session also highlights partnerships with local libraries to expand resources, expertise, and community outreach. Together, educators and libraries can extend meaningful STEM experiences beyond traditional settings and strengthen community engagement. 

Rural communities offer powerful assets for STEM education, including place-based knowledge, strong networks, and students motivated by real-world problem solving. This session highlights SARSEF programs available to Arizona educators and students and how they have evolved in response to local needs. Participants will explore how place-based, inquiry-led approaches foster authentic belonging in STEM and engage in a hands-on research proposal activity. The session also includes reflection time to apply insights to participants’ own schools and learning communities.

This interactive session introduces the Teen Science Café (TSC) model and explores how it expands STEM access and career exposure for rural youth. Participants will learn how TSC connects teens with STEM professionals through youth-led events that build leadership, communication, and career readiness skills. The session highlights benefits of joining a national network of educators and professionals, including training and ongoing support. Presenters will share strategies for adapting the model for rural communities, and the session concludes with a hands-on marine science activity simulating a Teen Science Café experience.

Intrigued about incorporating current examples in research and the latest applications in STEM into your science activities to increase STEM literacy? Come to this session to discuss science literacy and it's importance, and explore current journalism resources that can be used to enhance STEM learning and literacy through the Science News Learning program. Discover the large libraries of Science News Media Group journalism and lesson plans that connect these real-world issues to core curricula.

Great STEM learning doesn’t require a big budget. This interactive, hands-on session explores low-cost STEM activities that spark curiosity, creativity, and collaboration using common classroom materials. Participants will engage in engineering challenges that emphasize the design process—building, testing, and improving solutions to real-world problems. The session models ways to adapt activities for different grade levels and learning environments while aligning with NGSS and academic standards. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use ideas, simple materials lists, and practical strategies for bringing hands-on STEM learning into any classroom.