Educators, 2026 C-STEM Symposium

2026 7th Annual C-STEM Symposium

Promotional banner for the 7th Annual C-STEM Symposium at CSU San Bernardino on Thursday, March 12, 2026, themed "Moving the Needle on Math Education with Coding and Robotics."

Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ CSU San Bernardino

(Student Union Building North - Parking Lot N)

The UC Davis C-STEM Center and partners will organize the 2026 7th Annual C-STEM Symposium on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at California State University, San Bernardino. The theme of this year's symposium is "Moving the Needle on Math Education with Coding and Robotics."

The Annual C-STEM Symposium provides a forum for Southern California district and school administrators, and K-12 teachers in Southern California to share their visions, best practices, and experiences in transforming math education with hands-on coding and robotics, with a special focus on closing the math achievement gap for at-promise students and English language learners.

C-STEM is a UC Approved Educational Preparation Program for Undergraduate Admission for all UC campuses with UCOP A-G Program Status. The C-STEM program transforms math education, helps close the math achievement gap, and engages traditionally unrepresented groups and at-risk students in hands-on learning math with computing and robotics, as shown in C-STEM Math Success Stories.

Experienced C-STEM teachers will share their insights and strategies for integrating C-STEM coding and robotics into classroom teaching, and how to get started. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore C-STEM Math/CS/Engineering Curriculum, strategies, resources, and robotics with Arduino and Linkbots. Experienced C-STEM administrators will talk about the successful implementation of C-STEM, hands-on learning, and discuss long-term benefits and adaptability of the program.

Keynote Speaker

Kenneth Shelton (He/Him/His) is a distinguished, multi-award-winning professional and best-selling author in the field of education. He holds a master’s degree in education with a specific focus on Educational Technology and New Media Design and Production. With over two decades of teaching experience, Ken is a highly sought-after thought leader in education, particularly in the areas of educational technology, learning experience design, and leadership development. Ken’s expertise also extends to the sphere of policymaking/policy advisement, including being a notable figure on a California State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Education Technology Task Force. His range of expertise covers an array of topics, including but not limited to, Organizational Leadership, Policy Analysis, Policy Development, School/District Transformation, Inclusive Learning Environments, Antibias/Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Media Literacy, Cultural Intelligence, Design, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and in the emerging technology field of Artificial Intelligence. He is the co-author of a best-selling book, “The Promises and Perils of AI in Education: Ethics and Equity Have Entered the Chat.”

Ken has garnered many awards: Digital Equity Professional Learning Network Excellence Award in 2018, the Making IT Happen Award in 2022, and the CUE (Computer Using Educators) Platinum Disc Award in 2024. He is an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Google Certified Innovator, and a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert.

Currently, among many things, Ken provides insightful guidance and advisement as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board and Advisory Board for several technological companies, start-ups, and non-profit organizations that focus on education. His endeavors aim to build a more equitable, inclusive future in the world of technology and education.

Breakout Sessions

Many hands-on breakout sessions are designed for Learning through doing. Learn from experienced C-STEM teachers to share their experience on how to integrate computing, robotics, Arduino into their STEM classes for hands-on learning to close the achievement gap. Bring your own laptop of Windows, Mac OS X, or Chromebook to join many hands-on sessions to learn, and take the latest technologies, curriculum, know-how, and excitement to your classroom teaching and making. You can find details of breakout sessions here.

Breakout Session 1 (9:40am-10:50am)

1A. RoboPlay Challenge Competition: Showcase Student Learning & Add Pizazz to Math Instruction

1B. Hands-On: For Newbies & Absolute Beginners - Introduction to Getting Started with Hands-on C-STEM Coding, Robotics, and Curriculum (Bring-Your-Own-Computer)

1C. Teacher-to-Teacher Sharing (ES): Best Practices, Strategies, Lessons, and Projects in Integrating C-STEM Coding and Robotics into Teaching Elementary School Math

1D. Live Teaching (MS): Live Demonstration of Teaching Integrated Math/Science/Coding/Robotics - Middle School

1E. For Administrators: Leading the Change in Math and Computer Science Teaching & Learning

Breakout Session 2 (11am-12:10pm)

2A. Integrating Coding and Robotics into Math for Dual Language Learners/ELL, Students with IEPs, and Inclusive Classrooms

2B. Hands-On: Arduino - Introduction to Basic Electronics and Creative Problem Solving for Physical Computing (Bring-Your-Own-Computer)

2C. Teacher-to-Teacher Sharing (MS): Best Practices, Strategies, Lessons, and Projects in Integrating C-STEM Coding and Robotics into Teaching Middle School Math (6th-8th)

2D. Mini RoboPlay Challenge Competition (Live!)

2E. Featured Speaker (ES)

Lunch & Mini RoboPlay Challenge Competition - Live! (12:10pm-1:10pm)

Breakout Session 3 (1:15pm-2:25pm)

3A. Pathways & Careers in STEAM/Robotics

3B. Hands-on: C-STEM & AI, Teaching CS/CTE

3C. Extended Learning (After School, Summer Math/Robotics Camps, & Student Clubs)

3D. Live-Teaching (ES) - Demonstration of Teaching Math/Coding/Robotics - Elementary School

3E. Featured Speakers (HS)

Breakout Session 4 (2:25pm-3:35pm)

4A. Advancing Math/CS Achievement for All with COE Leadership & Cal-MSCS Grant

4B. Hands-On: Full STREAM Ahead: Reading/Literacy, Creating Art, Animations, Music, and STEAM in Your School (Bring-Your-Own-Computer)

4C. Teacher-to-Teacher Sharing (HS): Best Practices, Strategies, Lessons, and Projects in Integrating C-STEM Coding and Robotics into Teaching High School Math

4E. Featured Speakers (MS)

Closing & Raffle (3:45pm-4:00pm)

Join us for a fun closing! Please don't forget to complete the Symposium Feedback form as it helps us to in organizing our next Symposium. Turn it in for a raffle ticket and a chance to win a Linkbot or Arduino kit as well as other one-of-a-kind memorabilia!

Registration and Payment

Early bird registration is $150. General registration is $180.
Early bird registration deadline is February 12, 2026.
Registration deadline for the Symposium is March 12, 2026.
Please register through our Eventbrite page. Register Here
Registration via purchase order: please send a purchase order including the attendees' full names, email addresses, and school district information to [email protected].