2026 KACTE Summer Program: Full Schedule

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

Monique Rice

502-507-5210, Advance KY

Program Director at Advance KY

Sherri McGuffin

502-507-5210, Advance KY

Manager of Development & Innovation

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

Computer Science

Audience Computer Science, Media Arts

11:00am EDT

Get Certified in the Industry Certification Lab!

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm EDT

Coe - East - 3rd Floor

Take free Industry Certification Exams from Comptia/TestOut, Pearson/Certiport, and MBA Research ASK Institute. Get certified to better prepare your students.

Speakers

Angela Rush

2705906290, KDE/OCTE

Program Consultant

Jeremy Davis

2705908040, KY DECA

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

Business and Marketing

Audience Business and Marketing, Computer Science, Healthcare, Media Arts

11:30am EDT

Industry & Innovators Luncheon (RSVP Required)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

Holly - West - 3rd Floor

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

Tabitha Berger

859-609-5116, KDE

Computer Science and Media Arts

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Holly - West - 3rd Floor

Computer Science

Audience Computer Science, Media Arts

1:00pm EDT

Adobe Premiere Tips and Tricks

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Holly - West - 3rd Floor

Learn about some of the newest features in Adobe Premiere and how to implement them in your classroom.

Speakers

Shane Smith

6062244954, Laurel County Schools Center For Innovation

Media Arts Instructor/Digital Learning Coach

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Holly - West - 3rd Floor

Media Arts

Audience Media Arts

1:00pm EDT

Creative Futures: Media Arts Pathway Updates

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

An overview of recent updates to the Media Arts Pathway, highlighting how revised standards reflect current industry practices, emerging technologies, and evolving career opportunities in the creative sector. This session will clarify what has changed, the rationale behind the updates, and how the pathway supports student readiness for postsecondary education and workforce entry.

Speakers

Tabitha Berger

859-609-5116, KDE

Computer Science and Media Arts

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

Media Arts

Audience Media Arts

3:00pm EDT

SkillsUSA Update

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

Cochran - West - 3rd Floor

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

Jermaine Poynter

2704549276, Kentucky SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA State Director

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Cochran - West - 3rd Floor

All Content

Audience Computer Science, Construction, Engineering, JROTC, Law and Public Safety, Manufacturing, Media Arts, Transportation

3:00pm EDT

CertPREP Practice Tests, powered by GMetrix - Using the Features to the Fullest

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

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

Logan Staab

7852598674, Certiport

Specialist, Partnership Management, Certiport

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

Computer Science

Audience Computer Science, Media Arts

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

Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

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

Jarratt Bryan

706-346-8731, Learning Labs, Inc.

Kentucky - Regional Manager, Vice President - Marketing

Alex Gray

(214) 673-0516, Neuromaker

Director of Partnerships and Enablement

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

Computer Science

Audience Computer Science, Media Arts

4:00pm EDT

Unreal Futures: Preparing Students for Careers in Emerging Tech

Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT

Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

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

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

Media Arts

Audience Computer Science, Media Arts

4:00pm EDT

Make a Mandala and get some Project Ideas!

Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

Holly - West - 3rd Floor

Come and learn a bit about the Western Kentucky Visual Communication Industry! We will discuss the specifics of what we do with our students to get them employed and even do a few exercises (including dye sublimation you will get to leave with) that are easily done in your classrooms!

Speakers

Kelley Johnson

270-559-1819, West Kentucky Community & Technical College the Paducah School of Art & Design

I am a skilled communicator, critical thinker, and problem solver. I consider being detail-oriented my most significant contribution to any work environment. I know how to take control and produce results, but I also know when I need help and how to accept criticism. I take ownership of, and have pride in all of my work. I am creative, and excel... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Holly - West - 3rd Floor

Media Arts

Audience Media Arts

8:00am EDT

Starting Strong: Foundations for Year One Computer Science and Media Arts Teachers

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 9:50am EDT

Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

Designed specifically for year one Computer Science and Media Arts educators, this session provides a supportive on-ramp into the classroom for teachers new to the pathway, the content, or both. Participants will explore the foundational expectations, instructional mindset, and practical classroom strategies needed to launch a successful first year.

Speakers

Tabitha Berger

859-609-5116, KDE

Computer Science and Media Arts

Jermaine Poynter

2704549276, Kentucky SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA State Director

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 9:50am EDT
Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

Media Arts

Audience Computer Science, Media Arts

8:00am EDT

Learning Through Experience: Expansive Learning Through VR

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 11:00am EDT

Holly - West - 3rd Floor

Presentation will cover basic tools and concepts for designing and developing virtual reality applications for the Meta Quest 3 headset. We will also touch on the research and data behind the tools, and ways to integrate these tools and applications into the classroom and workplace training environments.

Speakers

David Bosquez

6067296345, Somerset Community College

Virtual Reality Project Manager

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 11:00am EDT
Holly - West - 3rd Floor

Computer Science

Audience Computer Science, Media Arts, Teaching and Learning

8:00am EDT

Get Certified in the Industry Certification Lab!

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm EDT

Coe - East - 3rd Floor

Take free industry certification exams from CompTIA/TestOut, Pearson/Certiport, and MBA Research ASK Institute. Get certified to better prepare your students.

Speakers

Angela Rush

2705906290, KDE/OCTE

Program Consultant

Jeremy Davis

2705908040, KY DECA

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm EDT
Coe - East - 3rd Floor

Business and Marketing

Audience Business and Marketing, Computer Science, Healthcare, Media Arts

9:00am EDT

Incorporating STLP's CDA Events into Graphic Design

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT

Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

Learn how to incorporate a variety of Creative Digital Arts (CDA) events from STLP into your Graphic Design classroom. Lesson plans, curriculum, and examples will be provided during this session.

Speakers

Lynn Schentrup

859-422-0040, ext. 50131, Bryan Station High School

I am a National Board Certified Media Arts Teacher (Graphic Design Pathway) at Bryan Station High School in Lexington, KY. I have 21 years experience teaching. I am the CTE Department Chair for my school as well as the Yearbook Advisor and an Athletics Game Manager. Feel free... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

Media Arts

Audience Media Arts

9:00am EDT

Seal of Arts Excellence: Building Media Arts Portfolios

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT

Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

Discover how to help students build successful digital portfolios to present to colleges, scholarship foundations, and potential employers. We will discuss how Fayette County Public Schools uses the Seal of Arts Excellence to entice and reward students for building career-ready digital portfolios. Rubrics and resources will be included.

Speakers

Lynn Schentrup

859-422-0040, ext. 50131, Bryan Station High School

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

Media Arts

Audience Media Arts

1:00pm EDT

What Changed and Why: Graphics Design Standards Updates

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Holly - West - 3rd Floor

This session provides an overview of the updated Graphic Design Pathway standards, highlighting what has changed, why those changes were made, and how they support student readiness for both postsecondary education and the workforce. Participants will explore how the revised standards align with current industry practices, digital design tools, and evolving expectations in visual communication and media arts careers.

Speakers

Tabitha Berger

859-609-5116, KDE

Computer Science and Media Arts

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Holly - West - 3rd Floor

Media Arts

Audience Media Arts

3:00pm EDT

SkillsUSA Regional Meetings

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

Cochran - West - 3rd Floor

Regional Coordinators - required to attend. Every SkillsUSA advisor is invited to attend and meet their regional coordinator. As a state team, we will plan and organize regional competitions for the 2026-2027 school year. Attendees will gain more insight into SkillsUSA Championships and be given the opportunity to network with others in their field.

Speakers

Amy Hancock

2709635124, Livingston Central High School

Teacher

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Cochran - West - 3rd Floor

All Content

Audience Computer Science, Construction, Engineering, JROTC, Law and Public Safety, Manufacturing, Media Arts, Transportation

3:00pm EDT

Changing Students Lives with Certiport Industry Certifications

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

Want to find new and exciting ways to help change students' lives to set them up for future success? Come join Logan Staab, your Certiport Specialist, and we will discuss how Certiport certifications can help students who are ready to continue their education past high school or who are just ready to jump into the workforce! Discussion will also include turning your classroom into a Certiport Test Center, ensuring student success on certification day, how to use the reporting available, and how to keep your students engaged and excited about your program.

Speakers

Logan Staab

7852598674, Certiport

Specialist, Partnership Management, Certiport

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

Computer Science

Audience Computer Science, Media Arts

4:00pm EDT

3D Fundamentals Certification: A New Pathway for Student Creators with Unreal Engine and Gameplan

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

The Epic Games Education team is proud to introduce the new 3D Fundamentals Certification, powered by Gameplana new credential for aspiring creators in interactive 3D. This industry-informed program is designed for students interested in Game Design, Animation, and 3D Game Art, providing a strong foundation for those exploring careers, postsecondary programs, or personal creative projects. Whether students are building their own games or preparing for future study and work in interactive media, the certification equips them with essential skills aligned to real-world applications. The program is accessible through Gameplans intuitive digital platform, which combines engaging content with flexible delivery to support diverse learning environments. In this session, we'll explore how the certification works, from curriculum and assessment structure to classroom integration. Attendees will gain insights into the educator supports available, including lesson planning tools, pacing guides, and progress tracking. We'll also highlight how this credential can help districts unlock CTE funding by aligning to recognized pathways in Game Design, Animation, and Digital Media.

Speakers

Steve Isaacs

2152555002, Epic Games

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

Media Arts

Audience Computer Science, Media Arts

8:00am EDT

Certiport: Choosing an Exam Delivery System

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am EDT

Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

With the release of Compass Cloud, Certiport now offers multiple exam delivery options for students to use in obtaining certification. Come join Logan Staab your Certiport Specialist who will go into detail about Compass for Windows, Compass Cloud and Exams from Home which will help you choose what is best for your classroom. Discussion will include technical requirements, scheduling exams, exam offerings and support.

Speakers