Breakout Sessions
(Sessions subject to change)
SESSION TITLES AND DESCRIPTIONS | PARTICIPANT FOCUS |
SESSION 1 (10:50am-12:00pm) | |
1A. Hands-on: For Absolute Beginners - Getting Started with RoboBlocky to Teach Math and CS with Robotics (Bring-Your-Own-Computer). New to C-STEM? This session will cover an overview of the C-STEM program and provide first-hand experience on getting started on your own computer. Experience how easy it is to set up and how fun it can be to learn through coding and robotics. Learn how to get started teaching with C-STEM coding and robotics. Explore thousands of pre-built activities including CCSS-aligned math activities, coding and robotics activities, and detailed projects to bring classroom learning to life. RoboBlocky also prepares students to program in C/C++, the most widely used conventional text-based programming language in industry and college, and it can run in any modern web-browser without installing additional software. Attendees will experience a hands-on introduction to free block-based programming and robotics. Attendees must bring their own personal computer. Windows and MacOSX users must download and pre-install Linkbot Labs software from https://roboblocky.com/download/ (free RoboBlocky account required). Chromebook users do not need to install any additional software in order to control hardware Linkbot robots and/or Arduino Uno boards. Requirements: Windows 10 or above, MacOSX 10.13 or above, Chromebook with Chrome OS v. 89 or above. Linkbots will be provided by the C-STEM Center. 
Facilitator: Jeff Hescox, Education Service Manager, UCD C-STEM Center
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1B. Model Teaching Strategies for Robust C-STEM Implementation & Student Achievement. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to guide students through the RoboBlocky 5E+GC Instructional Framework using a variety of resources in the RoboBlocky curricula. Participants will also engage with experienced RoboBlocky teachers to learn strategies that are working in real classrooms. Chair: Joe Nguyen, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Travis USD Speakers: Allison Bradford, Ph.D., Director of Learning, Barobo
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1C. Showcasing TK-12 Student Learning: RoboPlays & RoboParades Celebrating student learning with hands-on classroom, schoolwide or districtwide showcases such as RoboPlay Challenge Competitions and RoboParades inspire students and strengthen school-family-community engagement and partnerships...not to mention impressing school and district leadership. The RoboPlay Challenge Competition is a theme-based level playing field robotics competition for K-12 students. It is designed for students to showcase their real-world math problem solving skills in a competitive environment. In contrast, RoboParades are fun, flexible, and can be customized to celebrate Thanksgiving, New Year/Lunar New Year, Disney traditions, and more - from simple to complex, engaging students with diverse interests and talents. C-STEM's integrated Math/Coding/Robotics/STEAM curriculum and hands-on projects such as these nurture and strengthen student agency, communication, collaboration, leadership, creativity, perseverance, and problem-solving skills. Join this session to learn how you can organize your own RoboPlay Challenge Competition in your class, school or district with the support and guidance of UCD C-STEM Center. Find out why students, teachers, administrators, and community love RoboPlay Challenge Competitions and how RoboParades and its creative variations win the hearts and minds of students, families and community. 
Chair: Barbara Nemko, Superintendent (Retired) of Napa County Office of Education Speakers: Sandra Soto, Teacher, Travis USD Greg Miller, C-STEM Resource Teacher, Orange USD Caitlin Kilroy-McNany, Teacher, Orange USD Tiffany Lam, Assistant Principal, Orange USD Randy Kolset, Administrator Educational Technology, Orange USD |
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1D. Leadership & PD: School and Districtwide Integration of C-STEM Math/STEAM/CS with Robotics Curriculum into TK-12 Classroom Teaching Join this session and learn how educational leaders implemented the C-STEM K-12 Math and CS Curriculum in their schools and districts for accelerated and deeper learning of math and exploration of CS/Robotics. They will share administrative perspectives on getting started, including funding, recruitment of teachers, professional development, teacher support, and student progress and achievement in Math/CS/Robotics. In addition, best practices learned through experiences and success stories will be shared. 
Chair: Tiffany Benson, Superintendent, Travis USD Speakers: Robert Schwandt, Assistant Principal, Alvord USD Dr. Randy Clyde, Director of STEAM & Innovation, San Bernardino City USD Deepika Srivastava, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Professional Development, Pajaro Valley USD
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SESSION 2 (1:15pm-2:25pm) | |
2A. ELOP in Action: Afterschool, Summer Programs & GIRL/GIRL+ Camps and C-STEM Student Awards This session features a diverse group of presenters: kindergarten, lower grade, and high school teachers; district and county administrators; and high school and college students. They will share their own rich experiences with C-STEM Expanded Learning Programs and the C-STEM Student Awards. Join us and learn how to take advantage of the existing C-STEM computing resources and robotics infrastructure to promote fun and inspiring learning experiences and the opportunity for your students to earn recognition and scholarship through the annual C-STEM Student Award & Scholarship program About C-STEM Expanded Learning with Robotics: A flexible, standards-aligned curriculum for afterschool, summer, intervention, enrichment, MTSS, Expanded Learning Opportunities Programs (ELO-P), and community learning programs. It is designed for schools and districts to host for their students locally and provides provide authentic opportunities for students to apply and showcase their learning throughout TK–12. About summer robotic and GIRL (Girls in Robotic Leadership) camps: These programs focus on the cognitive and socio-emotional aspects of learning and bring fun back to learning. They empower K-12 students for accelerated and deeper math learning through robotics projects and the solution of real-world problems using math concepts, and at the same time provide students with recreational and teamwork opportunities with peer-mentoring.
Chair: Deepika Srivastava, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Professional Development, Pajaro Valley USD Speakers: Teresa Sicat, Teacher, Manteca USD Aryan Singh, C-STEM Scholarship Recipient 2026, Manteca USD & Student at UC Davis Anna Sotelo, Teacher, Orange USD Perla Ramos, Teacher, Orange USD Jennifer Angel, Teacher, Orange USD Gilbert Barraza, Executive Director, TK-12 College and Career Readiness & Innovative Programs Stephanie Morgado, Program Manager, STEAM and Robotics, Solano County Office of Education Daija Canegan, Coach, Girls in Robotic Leadership (GIRL) Camp, Student at Vanden High School, Travis USD
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2B. (ES) Teacher-to-Teacher Sharing: Best Practices, Strategies, Lessons, and Projects in Integrating C-STEM Coding and Robotics into Elementary School Math Elementary school teachers will share how they integrate C-STEM into math instruction, highlighting favorite lessons, projects, strategies, and practical tips. Participants will walk away with ready-to-use ideas they can bring directly to their classrooms. A perennial favorite, this session is packed with creative approaches and teacher-tested practices. C-STEM helps young learners build confidence and deepen their understanding of abstract math concepts through hands-on coding and robotics. Students develop problem-solving, logical thinking, creativity, and coding/engineering knowledge while applying math in meaningful ways. The curriculum also supports cross-curricular connections with English Language Arts, while text-to-speech and language translation features provide additional support for multilingual learners. Join this session to discover practical ways to integrate C-STEM into elementary math and make learning more engaging, hands-on, and fun.
Chair: Dr. Janice Gordon, Principal, San Bernardino City USD Speakers: Starr Wong, Teacher, New Haven USD Sandra Soto, Teacher, Travis USD Michael Rowley, Program Facilitator, San Bernardino City USD
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2C. (MS/HS) Teacher-to-Teacher Sharing: Best Practices, Strategies, Lessons, and Projects in Integrating C-STEM Math with Robotics/CS C-STEM teachers will share how they integrate math, computer science, and robotics at the middle and high school levels, highlighting favorite lessons, projects, activities, and classroom strategies. Through hands-on coding and robotics, students deepen their understanding of math concepts, strengthen logical thinking and problem-solving skills, and apply creativity to real-world challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experienced educators and leave with practical ideas and inspiration for your own C-STEM classroom. 
Chair: Dr. David Vujovich, Principal, Independence & Valley Robotics Academy Speakers: Mechele Newell, Teacher, Travis USD Nikki Greminger, Teacher, Marysville Joint USD Phi-Bao Tran, Teacher, Valley Robotics Academy Caitlin Kilroy-McNany, Teacher, Orange USD Josh Furtado, Teacher, Marysville Joint USD
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2D. Fun with C-STEM in CS/STEAM + Exploring STEM Majors & Careers In this session, presenters will brings computer science and STEAM to life through their lessons, projects, and activities that blend coding, robotics, engineering, math, and creative problem-solving. Participants will share in on practical, classroom-ready strategies that make learning interactive, meaningful, and fun—while helping students build critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and future-ready skills. In addition, explore interesting STEM majors and careers offered at UCD! What are some pointers that teachers can share with students on possible majors and careers in STEM fields? How important is math and what role does STEM/Coding/robotics play in the workplace? This session will also feature a special guest with experience in both academia and industry and who will share stories of her journey from school-to-work, information on current trends in STEM fields, helpful insights and resources. 
Chair: Suzie Dollesin, Ed.D., FPM Review Lead, Federal Program Monitoring Office, CDE Speakers: Jhosse Prado Guerrero, Teacher, New Haven USD Julianna Mulu, Teacher, San Francisco USD Alexis Glenn, Teacher, Elite Public Schools Dr. Karen Block, Director of Industry Relations, Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
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SESSION 3 (2:35pm-3:45pm) | |
3A. Hands-on Arduino: Introduction to Basic Electronics and Creative Problem Solving for Physical Computing (Bring-Your-Own-Computer) Join this hands-on session to get started using Arduino microcontrollers with RoboBlocky. This session will explore an introduction to Physical Computing with Arduino by combining the hands-on projects of physical computing with the simplicity of block-based programming. Discover the endless possibilities of physical computing and how to incorporate modern do-it-yourself electronics into your classroom teaching. Arduino can be integrated into Math, Computer Science, Engineering, and Robotics Courses, as well as afterschool programs and summer camps to facilitate a technologically advanced learning environment. Attendees must bring their own personal computer. Windows and MacOSX users must download and pre-install Linkbot Labs software from https://roboblocky.com/download/ (free RoboBlocky account required). Chromebook users do not need to install any additional software in order to control hardware Linkbot robots and/or Arduino Uno boards. Requirements: Windows 10 or above, MacOSX 10.13 or above, Chromebook with Chrome OS v. 89 or above. Arduino Uno Starter Kit will be provided by the C-STEM Center.
Facilitator: Vitaliy Orlov, Teacher, Redlands USD
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3B. Advancing Math/CS Achievement for All with County Office of Education Leadership & CAL-MSCS Grant What is CAL-MSCS (California Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science) Grant? What FREEE resources and professional development opportunities does it provide for teachers, administrators, schools, and districts? $5,000 grants for teacher and administrator teams? How have Monterey County Office Education collaborated with C-STEM to provide professional development opportunities for their teachers? Further, learn about exciting opportunities and resources Sacramento County Office of Education and Vallejo City USD are providing for the region in conjunction with CAL-MSCS. Come join us and find out!  Chair: Rod Garcia, Program Coordinator II - Computer Science & Digital Learning, Monterey County Office of Education (COE) Speakers: Rod Garcia, Program Coordinator II - Computer Science & Digital Learning, Monterey COE Judianne Ganschow, Educational Administrator, Math Science & CS, Monterey COE Jonathan Rhodea, Curriculum Specialist, Sacramento County Office of Education Lili Mora, College & Career Program Manager, Vallejo City USD
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3C. MTSS in Action with C-STEM: Supporting Math Success for At-Promise, Multilingual & IEP Students At Fontana USD, a cohort of middle school teachers has collaborated for seven years to provide students in math intervention programs with engaging, hands-on learning experiences designed to strengthen math understanding and improve student success. At Fresno USD, teachers and administrators have maintained a strong commitment to advancing academic acceleration and achievement despite an evolving educational landscape and ongoing challenges. Hear directly from these educators about their journeys, lessons learned, impact, and practical strategies for using C-STEM to support diverse learners and expand opportunities for student success.  Chair: Dr. Suzie Dollesin, FPM Review Lead, Federal Program Monitoring Office, CDE Speakers: Michele Romero, TOSA, Fontana USD Casey Brenenstall, Teacher, Fontana USD Winnie Fletcher, M.A., PPSC, Coordinator I, Advancing Academic Acceleration & Achievement, Fresno USD Peter Fortuna, Teacher (Alternative Ed), Fresno USD Kaylah Salinas, Teacher, Fresno USD
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3D. RoboBlocky, AI and Vibe Coding: Hands-on Exploration (Bring-Your-Own-Computer) How can AI help you create a C-STEM lesson in five minutes or less? What is vibe coding? Explore these questions through hands-on activities with RoboBlocky. Learn how AI, coding, robotics, and engineering design activities can enhance C-STEM teaching and learning. Build and program Linkbots, tackle challenges, and discover creative ways to connect math, computer science, engineering, and the arts. Attendees must bring their own personal computer. Windows and MacOSX users must download and pre-install Linkbot Labs software from https://roboblocky.com/download/ (free RoboBlocky account required). Chromebook users do not need to install any additional software in order to control hardware Linkbot robots and/or Arduino Uno boards. Requirements: Windows 10 or above, MacOSX 10.13 or above, Chromebook with Chrome OS v. 89 or above. Linkbots and accessories will be provided by the C-STEM Center.
Chair: Jeff Hescox, Education Service Manager, UCD C-STEM Center Speaker: Jeff Hescox, Education Service Manager, UCD C-STEM Center Bruce Tuttle, Teacher, Orange USD |
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