Annual STEM conference for new teachers expands to include the arts

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — An annual statewide conference that focuses on helping new teachers prepare students to compete in science, technology, engineering and math fields in the global economy is expanding this year to include the arts.

The STEM Beginning Teacher Conference, July 28-29 in Champaign, will be the third such event organized by the Illinois New Teacher Collaborative – but the first time that the agenda will include sessions focusing on instructional strategies for the arts.

The change reflects a growing movement in education recognizing that arts disciplines are integral to STEM curricula, playing critical roles in fields such as engineering and technology, said Chris Roegge, INTC’s director.

“STEM and the arts are clearly important areas of emphasis for teachers and their students,” Roegge said. “This conference brings new teachers together, allows them to network and enhance their instructional practice in preparation for the coming year and beyond.”

Breakout sessions will explore topics such as art and sustainability and integrating technology into the classroom. Participants, all of whom are beginning teachers of students in kindergarten through grade 12, will have the opportunity to volunteer as presenters during an innovative “unconference U-teach” session on the event’s second day.

The keynote speaker will be Alan McCormack, a nationally recognized science educator and former president of the National Science Teachers Association.

Nearly 130 people are expected at this year’s event, which will be at the I-Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 S. First St.

INTC, which has hosted yearly conferences for new teachers, mentors and school induction program coordinators in Illinois since 2006, receives support from the College of Education and the State Farm Companies Foundation. Governors State University and Engineering at Illinoisprovided special support for the 2015 STEM conference.