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2026 KACTE Summer Program
Audience: Computer Science clear filter
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Tuesday, July 21
 

10:00am EDT

AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Launching in 2026-2027, AP Cybersecurity prepares students for high-demand careers by blending rigorous academics with real-world, career-connected learning. AP Networking will launch in the 2027-28 school year and will help students learn about how networks are set up and connect so many parts of our lives. This session introduces the course framework, exam design, and work-aligned scenarios that develop essential technical and professional skills. No prior coding or cybersecurity experience is required. Learn how AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking fit into CTE pathways, engage industry partners, and expand access to future-ready opportunities for all students.
Speakers
avatar for Willis Holmes

Willis Holmes

2703395454, Hopkins County Career and Technology Center
Computer Science Teacher
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

10:00am EDT

Beyond the Classroom: The KINETIC Externship Experience
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
This session brings together educators and industry partners to share insights from the KINETIC Teacher Externship Experience. Teachers and industry leaders will discuss what they learned from working alongside one another, how industry practices are informing classroom instruction, and how these partnerships are strengthening career pathways. Attendees will gain practical takeaways for building authentic, workforce-aligned learning experiences.
Speakers
avatar for Monique Rice

Monique Rice

502-507-5210, Advance KY
Program Director at Advance KY
SM

Sherri McGuffin

502-507-5210, Advance KY
Manager of Development & Innovation
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

10:00am EDT

Powering the Pipeline: Computer Science Updates
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
This session provides a comprehensive update on Kentuckys Computer Science pathways, highlighting recent changes, emerging initiatives, and key considerations for the upcoming school year. Participants will review pathway updates, standards alignment, and industry certification considerations, while exploring how computer science instruction continues to support career readiness and workforce development across the state. Designed for teachers, administrators, and CTE leaders, this session will offer practical insights, clarify expectations, and highlight opportunities to strengthen and sustain a high-quality computer science pipeline for students.
Speakers
TB

Tabitha Berger

859-609-5116, KDE
Computer Science and Media Arts
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Holly - West - 3rd Floor

11:00am EDT

Get Certified in the Industry Certification Lab!
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm EDT
Take free Industry Certification Exams from Comptia/TestOut, Pearson/Certiport, and MBA Research ASK Institute. Get certified to better prepare your students.
Speakers
avatar for Angela Rush

Angela Rush

2705906290, KDE/OCTE
Program Consultant
JD

Jeremy Davis

2705908040, KY DECA
 
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm EDT
Coe - East - 3rd Floor

11:30am EDT

Industry & Innovators Luncheon (RSVP Required)
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
The Industry & Innovators Luncheon brings together educators, business leaders, and industry professionals for meaningful conversations focused on innovation, workforce readiness, and the future of career pathways in Computer Science and Media Arts. This collaborative event provides an opportunity for teachers to connect directly with industry partners, explore emerging trends and technologies, and discuss the real-world skills students need to succeed in today’s evolving workforce.
Speakers
TB

Tabitha Berger

859-609-5116, KDE
Computer Science and Media Arts
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Holly - West - 3rd Floor

1:00pm EDT

CS Reimagined: A Review of the New National Standards
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
This working session is designed for educators and leaders actively engaged in Computer Science standards revision. Participants will receive an overview of the new National Computer Science Standards and examine what has changed, what remains consistent, and why these shifts matter for classrooms and programs. The session will focus on key updates related to emerging technologies, equity, and real-world application, with guided discussion on implications for curriculum, instruction, and pathway alignment.
Speakers
SJ

Sean Jackson

502-564-4286, Kentucky Department of Education
CS/IT Academy Program ManagerK-12 Computer Science Lead
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

3:00pm EDT

SkillsUSA Update
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Will cover the following topics: CTSO Guidance for New Advisors Regional Advisor/Coordinator information, SkillsUSA Registration Website, SkillsUSA - Pathful, and updates for 2027 State Conference Competition
Speakers
JP

Jermaine Poynter

2704549276, Kentucky SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA State Director
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Cochran - West - 3rd Floor

3:00pm EDT

CertPREP Practice Tests, powered by GMetrix - Using the Features to the Fullest
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
CertPREP Practice Tests, powered by Gmetrix are the BEST way to ensure your students are prepared for Certiport certifications! Join us to learn the best practices for utilizing this amazing resource in your classroom. We will discuss, giving your students access, creating customized exams to investigate specific content, aligning your practice exams to curriculum, and evaluating student progress with reporting.
Speakers
LS

Logan Staab

7852598674, Certiport
Specialist, Partnership Management, Certiport
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

3:00pm EDT

Engaging students and educators with STEAM / STEM with affordable options of curriculum and hardware
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
We will introduce free curriculum for instructors to teach EMG (electromyography), neuroscience, AI and coding. Participants will also explore meaningful, hands-on projects powered by affordable, industry-derived hardware, nurturing transferable skills and preparing students for career readiness.
Speakers
avatar for Jarratt Bryan

Jarratt Bryan

706-346-8731, Learning Labs, Inc.
Kentucky - Regional Manager, Vice President - Marketing
AG

Alex Gray

(214) 673-0516, Neuromaker
Director of Partnerships and Enablement
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

4:00pm EDT

Unreal Futures: Preparing Students for Careers in Emerging Tech
Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Theres never been a more exciting and empowering time to be a creator. Real-time technology is an innovation set to transform the world we live in and with Unreal Futures, students will learn how to recreate real-life projects produced by industry leaders in a variety of fields using Unreal Engine. This learning series prepares students for the new world by providing them with real-world skills using industry-standard tools. Demand for real-time skills is outpacing the market by 600%. Game engines are no longer just for making games.Attendees will learn about interactive 3D and real-time technology and how it is powering the future. The Unreal Futures: Careers in Real Time learning series takes students behind the scenes of industries that are using game engines and how its use is transforming their workflow and making space for innovation and creativity. Learn about the many industries that have taken to using a game engine to make everything but games, and what that means for students and their role in the metaverse.
Speakers
avatar for Steve Isaacs

Steve Isaacs

2152555002, Epic Games
I'm the Director of Secondary Education at Epic Games. In this role, my mission is to support organizations and educators in adopting Epic tools in the secondary classroom to prepare students for careers in emerging technology. Prior to Epic, I was a public school teacher for 28 years... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

4:00pm EDT

Using Linux to Enhance Web Design Instruction
Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
After your students have designed their gorgeous websites, how can they share them with the world? The answer is a Linux web server! My district will never let students upload websites to the wide open Internet! I hear some of you say. Fear not! Its incredibly easy to have a local server where your students can upload their sites and only students in your classroom can see them. During this presentation, some of the things we will cover are 1) why exposure to Linux is important for budding web designers, 2) how you can setup Linux using just my Windows PC, 3) Linux commands any user should know, 4) and how students can connect and upload their work to a Linux server. Instructional videos and PDF cheat sheets will be provided that can be used free of charge in your classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Jerry T. Smith

Jerry T. Smith

6062729113, Breathitt Co Area Technology Center
teacher
Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Poplar - West - 3rd Floor
 
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2026 KACTE Summer Program
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