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

1:00pm EDT

CS Reimagined: A Review of the New National Standards

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

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

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

Computer Science

Audience Computer Science

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

8:00am EDT

Beyond the Buzz: Implementing AI with Purpose Across a District

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

Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

As AI reshapes every career sector, districts must move beyond isolated tools and toward a coherent, sustainable AI strategy. This session explores how Advance KY, in partnership with a local school district, designed a scalable, equitable, and standards-aligned plan for implementing AI across CTE programs focused on curriculum, teacher readiness, ethics, and long-term sustainability.

Speakers

Monique Rice

502-507-5210, Advance KY

Program Director at Advance KY

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

Computer Science

Audience Computer Science

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

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
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

Media Arts

Audience Media Arts

10:00am EDT

Where AI Meets Cyber: Teaching the Future of Digital Defense

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT

Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

This session explores how AI is reshaping cyber threats and defenses and shows educators how to use AI-focused resources within the CYBER.ORG curriculum to strengthen students’ cybersecurity knowledge and workforce skills. Attendees will examine practical, responsible strategies for integrating AI into instruction—preserving hands-on learning and minimizing passive screen time—through guided reviews of age-appropriate, ethical, and career-aligned lessons and activities. The session offers ready-to-use classroom activities, implementation models for different grade bands, and approaches to make AI accessible and engaging from basic digital literacy to advanced cybersecurity, leaving educators with actionable next steps, direct CYBER.ORG resource links, and greater confidence in preparing students for an AI-enabled cybersecurity workforce.

Speakers

Jeff Ramsey

318-841-9612, CYBER.ORG

Advanced Cybersecurity Advisor

John Holloway

318-841-9612, CYBER.ORG

Cybersecurity Advisor

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

Computer Science

Audience Computer Science

1:00pm EDT

Building Models with Machine Learning

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

Participants will build a linear regression ML learning model (will need a laptop)

Speakers

William Conn

6065214273, WeLeadCS

Cyber Security Instructor WeLeadCS, Doctoral Student @ Marymount University in Cyber Security emphasis in Machine Learning.

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Walnut - West - 3rd Floor

Computer Science

Audience Computer Science

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