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2026 AI Educator Summer Institute
The inaugural A.I. Educator Summer Institute begins on July 13, 2026! 
Audience: All clear filter
Monday, July 13
 

7:30am EDT

Institute Check-in
Monday July 13, 2026 7:30am - 10:00am EDT
All participants are asked to check in for the institute before attending any sessions to receive important institute information, nametag (which allows access to the building), a nice big bag of SWAG, and local Hartsville information. 
Monday July 13, 2026 7:30am - 10:00am EDT
Hampton Inn Coker Room 203 East Carolina Ave., Hartsville, SC, US

8:30am EDT

Session #1 Opening Ceremony & Keynote: Level Up Every Learner with AI
LIMITED
Monday July 13, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Session #1 -- Opening Keynote: AI is a powerful resource for educators, but if we stop there, we miss the full potential of this game changing tool... helping our students. With AI we can provide personalized support for every learner with tutoring, enrichment, feedback, review, conversations, reflection, accessibility, and more. This individualized instruction meets every student where they are and helps them grow and achieve. In this keynote, we will learn about the tools and techniques to help level up every learner and adapt to our changing roles as educators.
Speakers
avatar for Eric Curts

Eric Curts

National Consultant and Speaker, ControlAltAchieve
Eric has been in education for 34 years, and currently serves as a Technology Integration Specialist for SPARCC in North Canton, Ohio. He also provides keynotes, professional development, and consulting for schools, organizations, and conferences around the world. Eric's areas of... Read More →
avatar for Jackie Weber

Jackie Weber

Director of Educator Development Outreach Programs, SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Jackie Weber is the Director of Educator Development Programs for the Outreach Center at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.  With over 28 years of nationwide experience in STEM educational leadership, she continues her focus on professional development... Read More →
Monday July 13, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am EDT
Hampton Inn Coker Room 203 East Carolina Ave., Hartsville, SC, US
  Keynote, Large Group

10:00am EDT

Morning Break & Transition to Sessions
Participants will transition from the Hampton Inn & Suites to the GSSM building. This is a 1 block walk. Parking is available at GSSM building, though limited. If participants need handicap accessible parking or other accommodations, please contact [email protected] for arrangements. 
Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Break, Morning Break

10:45am EDT

Source Code Session #2: The Rise of the Machines: An Introduction to AI for Educators (AI in the Classroom is the expansion pack session)
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
This Source Code Session is for educators wishing to learn the what, how, and why of A.I. This is an overview introduction to the technical and practical aspects of A.I. We will study the types of A.I., the basic underlying premise behind machine learning, and the ethical considerations we face as a society when interacting daily with A.I.

Participants will...
1. consider the appropriateness of using A.I. in certain situations;
2. measure the strengths of A.I. versus human intelligence;
3. evaluate the benefits and costs of A.I.;
4. define large language models, machine learning and the four types of A.I.;
5. examine bias and ethical considerations of LLM;
6. discuss instructional strategies for introducing ML and AI into their classrooms.

*The expansion afternoon pack workshop for this session is called: Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom: Beginner's Guide *
Speakers
avatar for Jackie Weber

Jackie Weber

Director of Educator Development Outreach Programs, SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Jackie Weber is the Director of Educator Development Programs for the Outreach Center at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.  With over 28 years of nationwide experience in STEM educational leadership, she continues her focus on professional development... Read More →
Monday July 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550

10:45am EDT

Source Code Session #3: Session #3 AI-AI-Oh! Awesome AI Uses in Education
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
Artificial Intelligence can be used in so many different ways in schools to improve teaching, learning, creativity, productivity, support, and more for educators and students. Explore dozens of uses for generative AI including brainstorming, creating educational content, altering content, processing information, supporting all learners, grading and feedback, student engagement and much more. 

Participants will develop a proficiency with a variety of educational AI tools such as Google Gemini, NotebookLM,  as well as exposure to other tools such as Brisk, Snorkl, and others, and will understand the benefits and uses of each.Participants will explore practical ways to use AI tools for brainstorming, creating educational content, altering content, processing information, supporting all learners, assessment, grading, feedback, student engagement and more.
Speakers
avatar for Eric Curts

Eric Curts

National Consultant and Speaker, ControlAltAchieve
Eric has been in education for 34 years, and currently serves as a Technology Integration Specialist for SPARCC in North Canton, Ohio. He also provides keynotes, professional development, and consulting for schools, organizations, and conferences around the world. Eric's areas of... Read More →
Monday July 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Source Code Session, Large Group

10:45am EDT

Source Code Session #6: AI for Every Learner: Practical Tools for Differentiation, Accessibility, and Inclusive Teaching
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
*This is a cohort session. All participants who attend the morning session are invited to attend an accompanying afternoon expansion pack session each afternoon this week to apply your morning learning to the Special Education classroom.*

Special educators carry an extraordinary load. Differentiated instruction, IEP documentation, progress monitoring, parent communication, and the daily work of meeting every student exactly where they are. AI tools cannot replace the human expertise at the heart of that work. But they can extend it.

This session builds a practical, critical framework for using AI in inclusive classrooms and special education contexts. We explore what AI does well, including generating differentiated materials, audio versions of text, scaffolded activities, and adapted assessments. We also examine where it fails. From hallucination to awareness of bias and privacy risks that matter, especially when working with vulnerable students.

Participants work hands-on with Google Gemini and NotebookLM to adapt reading levels, generate modified materials, and explore AI-assisted documentation. Data privacy, FERPA, and keeping human judgment at the center of every decision are woven throughout, not added at the end.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. W. Ian O'Byrne

Dr. W. Ian O'Byrne

Associate Professor of Literacy Education, College of Charleston
Dr. W. Ian O'Byrne is Associate Professor of Literacy Education at the College of Charleston and principal consultant of Digitally Literate, LLC. For over 20 years, he has worked at the intersection of AI literacy, digital literacy, and educator professional development, with particular... Read More →
Monday July 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550

1:15pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #2X (Part 1): Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom: Beginner's Guide (The expansion pack session for Introduction to AI)
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
Following the Rise of the Machine: An Introduction to A.I., this session will build on our understanding of the what A.I. and machine learning are to explore the why, when and how of integrated A.I. instruction in your classroom. In this session we will explore why is it essential that we address the mechanical elephant in the room and teach students the best practice around A.I. use. A.I. does not have to make us lazy and stupid, if we use it right. We will then explore some common tools and ways to integrate A.I. into any content area. We will share ideas and brainstorm. Participants will leave with a toolkit and specific ideas for how to bring A.I. into their classrooms safely, effectively, and appropriately.
Speakers
avatar for Jackie Weber

Jackie Weber

Director of Educator Development Outreach Programs, SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Jackie Weber is the Director of Educator Development Programs for the Outreach Center at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.  With over 28 years of nationwide experience in STEM educational leadership, she continues her focus on professional development... Read More →
Monday July 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Expansion Pack Workshop, Small Group
  • Knowledge/Experience Level 1, 2
  • Audience All
  • Subject All
  • Tags AI, Collaboration, Tools, Transdisciplinary, Strategies
  • Location/Room Number C123
  • Participants should bring...Part Laptops (with charging cords); Academic standards for their subject; access to instructional planning materials

1:15pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #3X (Part 1): AI-AI-Oh! Awesome AI Uses in Education
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
During the workshop time the participants will be able to apply the tools from the morning to their specific subject area to create content for their classes. This will include opportunities to: narrow in on specific Gemini Gems from my EduGems website and create practical content for their classes. Add course content to NotebookLM and generate teaching and learning materials. Try out other AI tools such as Brisk, Snorkl, or others to generate learning materials for their classes.
Speakers
avatar for Eric Curts

Eric Curts

National Consultant and Speaker, ControlAltAchieve
Eric has been in education for 34 years, and currently serves as a Technology Integration Specialist for SPARCC in North Canton, Ohio. He also provides keynotes, professional development, and consulting for schools, organizations, and conferences around the world. Eric's areas of... Read More →
Monday July 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Expansion Pack Workshop, Large Group

1:15pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #6X (Part 1): AI for Every Learner: Practical Tools for Differentiation, Accessibility, and Inclusive Teaching
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
*This is a cohort session. All participants who attend the morning session are invited to attend an accompanying afternoon expansion pack session each afternoon this week to apply your morning learning to the Special Education classroom.*

The 3-hour afternoon workshop gives participants dedicated creation time to apply the morning's framework to real materials from their own classrooms. It is structured as a creation studio rather than a continuation of the lecture.

Hour 1 (1:00–2:00) — Identify and Design: Participants select one real instructional challenge. A lesson that needs differentiation, a text that needs to be adapted for a lower reading level, an assessment that needs scaffolding, or a documentation task they want to streamline. Small groups form around shared challenges. Special educators learn as much from each other as from any presenter. Introduction to the creation workflow: original material → AI prompt → draft → critical review → revision.

Break (2:00–2:15)

Hour 2 (2:15–3:15) — Create: Hands-on creation using Gemini and NotebookLM. Facilitator circulates with targeted coaching. Structured peer feedback in pairs: Does this serve the student? What did the AI miss that a human expert would catch? What needs to be fixed before this goes near a classroom?

Hour 3 (3:15–4:00) — Share, Critique, and Plan: Small group shares. Not just "look what I made" but "here's what the AI got wrong and how I fixed it." Whole-group reflection on AI as a tool for inclusive practice versus a shortcut that bypasses expertise. Individual action planning to identify one specific thing I will try with students in fall 2026.

Participants leave with a real, usable adapted resource and a realistic, critical framework for continuing independently.
Monday July 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550

2:30pm EDT

Break & Refreshments
Enjoy refreshments and a stretch of the legs in the South Lobby and outside between sessions. 
Monday July 13, 2026 2:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Break

2:45pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #2X (Part 2): Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom: Beginner's Guide (The expansion pack session for Introduction to AI for Educators)
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
Following the Rise of the Machine: An Introduction to A.I., this session will build on our understanding of the what A.I. and machine learning are to explore the why, when and how of integrated A.I. instruction in your classroom. In this session we will explore why is it essential that we address the mechanical elephant in the room and teach students the best practice around A.I. use. A.I. does not have to make us lazy and stupid, if we use it right. We will then explore some common tools and ways to integrate A.I. into any content area. We will share ideas and brainstorm. Participants will leave with a toolkit and specific ideas for how to bring A.I. into their classrooms safely, effectively, and appropriately.
Speakers
avatar for Jackie Weber

Jackie Weber

Director of Educator Development Outreach Programs, SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Jackie Weber is the Director of Educator Development Programs for the Outreach Center at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.  With over 28 years of nationwide experience in STEM educational leadership, she continues her focus on professional development... Read More →
Monday July 13, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Expansion Pack Workshop, Small Group

2:45pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #3X (Part 2): AI-AI-Oh! Awesome AI Uses in Education
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
During the workshop time the participants will be able to apply the tools from the morning to their specific subject area to create content for their classes. This will include opportunities to: narrow in on specific Gemini Gems from my EduGems website and create practical content for their classes. Add course content to NotebookLM and generate teaching and learning materials. Try out other AI tools such as Brisk, Snorkl, or others to generate learning materials for their classes.
Speakers
avatar for Eric Curts

Eric Curts

National Consultant and Speaker, ControlAltAchieve
Eric has been in education for 34 years, and currently serves as a Technology Integration Specialist for SPARCC in North Canton, Ohio. He also provides keynotes, professional development, and consulting for schools, organizations, and conferences around the world. Eric's areas of... Read More →
Monday July 13, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Expansion Pack Workshop, Large Group

2:45pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #6X (Part 2): AI for Every Learner: Practical Tools for Differentiation, Accessibility, and Inclusive Teaching
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
*This is a cohort session. All participants who attend the morning session are invited to attend an accompanying afternoon expansion pack session each afternoon this week to apply your morning learning to the Special Education classroom.*

The 3-hour afternoon workshop gives participants dedicated creation time to apply the morning's framework to real materials from their own classrooms. It is structured as a creation studio rather than a continuation of the lecture.

Hour 1 (1:00–2:00) — Identify and Design: Participants select one real instructional challenge. A lesson that needs differentiation, a text that needs to be adapted for a lower reading level, an assessment that needs scaffolding, or a documentation task they want to streamline. Small groups form around shared challenges. Special educators learn as much from each other as from any presenter. Introduction to the creation workflow: original material → AI prompt → draft → critical review → revision.

Break (2:00–2:15)

Hour 2 (2:15–3:15) — Create: Hands-on creation using Gemini and NotebookLM. Facilitator circulates with targeted coaching. Structured peer feedback in pairs: Does this serve the student? What did the AI miss that a human expert would catch? What needs to be fixed before this goes near a classroom?

Hour 3 (3:15–4:00) — Share, Critique, and Plan: Small group shares. Not just "look what I made" but "here's what the AI got wrong and how I fixed it." Whole-group reflection on AI as a tool for inclusive practice versus a shortcut that bypasses expertise. Individual action planning to identify one specific thing I will try with students in fall 2026.

Participants leave with a real, usable adapted resource and a realistic, critical framework for continuing independently.
Monday July 13, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
 
Tuesday, July 14
 

10:30am EDT

Source Code Session #11: Discovery Education From Awareness to Action: Building AI Confidence and Classroom-Ready Digital Skills
FILLING
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
Limited Capacity filling up
In this hands-on session, educators will explore IBM SkillsBuild through Discovery Education and learn how to navigate courses that build foundational AI and digital skills with confidence. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of AI concepts, digital literacy, responsible use, and workforce-aligned skills that can support both teacher learning and student readiness.

This session will also lay the foundation for the afternoon Expansion Pack Workshop, where educators will apply what they learned to classroom instruction. Educators will use their new AI knowledge to determine when AI is the right tool, how AI can increase rigor, and how AI can provide additional supports or accommodations for students as they design lessons for their own subject areas and grade levels.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Andrea Lance

Dr. Andrea Lance

Senior Manager, Statewide and Strategic Partnerships, Discovery Education
Dr. Andrea Lance is a strategic education partnerships leader who supports statewide initiatives, professional learning, and cross-sector collaboration across South Carolina. As Senior Manager at Discovery Education, she helps connect K–12 education, STEM, career readiness, and... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550

1:15pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #11X (Part 1): Discovery Education From Awareness to Action: Building AI Confidence and Classroom-Ready Digital Skills
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
In this interactive afternoon workshop, educators will move from awareness to application by exploring research-based Discovery Education SOS Instructional Strategies that can be used across grade levels and content areas. Participants will work collaboratively to develop, curate, adapt, and practice strategies they can immediately implement in their classrooms.

Educators will first explore high-impact instructional strategies that work with or without AI, then examine how AI can be used intentionally to increase rigor, support accommodations, extend student thinking, and create more responsive learning experiences. Using knowledge from the morning session, participants will design or adapt classroom-ready lessons for their own subject areas while determining when AI adds value and when strong instructional strategy alone is enough.

Educators will leave with:

5–7 practical instructional strategies they can use for engagement, discussion, collaboration, and formative assessmentA stronger understanding of when AI can meaningfully support instructionA classroom-ready plan for using AI to increase rigor, support student needs, and strengthen learning
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Andrea Lance

Dr. Andrea Lance

Senior Manager, Statewide and Strategic Partnerships, Discovery Education
Dr. Andrea Lance is a strategic education partnerships leader who supports statewide initiatives, professional learning, and cross-sector collaboration across South Carolina. As Senior Manager at Discovery Education, she helps connect K–12 education, STEM, career readiness, and... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550

1:15pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #6X [Part 3: Cohort Continued]: AI for Every Learner: Practical Tools for Differentiation, Accessibility, and Inclusive Teaching
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
*This is a cohort session. All participants who attend the morning session are invited to attend an accompanying afternoon expansion pack session each afternoon this week to apply your morning learning to the Special Education classroom.*

The 3-hour afternoon workshop gives participants dedicated creation time to apply the morning's framework to real materials from their own classrooms. It is structured as a creation studio rather than a continuation of the lecture.

Hour 1 (1:00–2:00) — Identify and Design: Participants select one real instructional challenge. A lesson that needs differentiation, a text that needs to be adapted for a lower reading level, an assessment that needs scaffolding, or a documentation task they want to streamline. Small groups form around shared challenges. Special educators learn as much from each other as from any presenter. Introduction to the creation workflow: original material → AI prompt → draft → critical review → revision.

Break (2:00–2:15)

Hour 2 (2:15–3:15) — Create: Hands-on creation using Gemini and NotebookLM. Facilitator circulates with targeted coaching. Structured peer feedback in pairs: Does this serve the student? What did the AI miss that a human expert would catch? What needs to be fixed before this goes near a classroom?

Hour 3 (3:15–4:00) — Share, Critique, and Plan: Small group shares. Not just "look what I made" but "here's what the AI got wrong and how I fixed it." Whole-group reflection on AI as a tool for inclusive practice versus a shortcut that bypasses expertise. Individual action planning to identify one specific thing I will try with students in fall 2026.

Participants leave with a real, usable adapted resource and a realistic, critical framework for continuing independently.
Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550

2:30pm EDT

Break & Refreshments
Enjoy refreshments and a stretch of the legs in the South Lobby and outside between sessions. 
Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Break

2:45pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #11X (Part 2): Discovery Education From Awareness to Action: Building AI Confidence and Classroom-Ready Digital Skills
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
In this interactive afternoon workshop, educators will move from awareness to application by exploring research-based Discovery Education SOS Instructional Strategies that can be used across grade levels and content areas. Participants will work collaboratively to develop, curate, adapt, and practice strategies they can immediately implement in their classrooms.

Educators will first explore high-impact instructional strategies that work with or without AI, then examine how AI can be used intentionally to increase rigor, support accommodations, extend student thinking, and create more responsive learning experiences. Using knowledge from the morning session, participants will design or adapt classroom-ready lessons for their own subject areas while determining when AI adds value and when strong instructional strategy alone is enough.

Educators will leave with:

5–7 practical instructional strategies they can use for engagement, discussion, collaboration, and formative assessmentA stronger understanding of when AI can meaningfully support instructionA classroom-ready plan for using AI to increase rigor, support student needs, and strengthen learning
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Andrea Lance

Dr. Andrea Lance

Senior Manager, Statewide and Strategic Partnerships, Discovery Education
Dr. Andrea Lance is a strategic education partnerships leader who supports statewide initiatives, professional learning, and cross-sector collaboration across South Carolina. As Senior Manager at Discovery Education, she helps connect K–12 education, STEM, career readiness, and... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550

2:45pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #6X [Part 4: Cohort Continued]: AI for Every Learner: Practical Tools for Differentiation, Accessibility, and Inclusive Teaching
LIMITED
Limited Capacity seats available
*This is a cohort session. All participants who attend the morning session are invited to attend an accompanying afternoon expansion pack session each afternoon this week to apply your morning learning to the Special Education classroom.*

The 3-hour afternoon workshop gives participants dedicated creation time to apply the morning's framework to real materials from their own classrooms. It is structured as a creation studio rather than a continuation of the lecture.

Hour 1 (1:00–2:00) — Identify and Design: Participants select one real instructional challenge. A lesson that needs differentiation, a text that needs to be adapted for a lower reading level, an assessment that needs scaffolding, or a documentation task they want to streamline. Small groups form around shared challenges. Special educators learn as much from each other as from any presenter. Introduction to the creation workflow: original material → AI prompt → draft → critical review → revision.

Break (2:00–2:15)

Hour 2 (2:15–3:15) — Create: Hands-on creation using Gemini and NotebookLM. Facilitator circulates with targeted coaching. Structured peer feedback in pairs: Does this serve the student? What did the AI miss that a human expert would catch? What needs to be fixed before this goes near a classroom?

Hour 3 (3:15–4:00) — Share, Critique, and Plan: Small group shares. Not just "look what I made" but "here's what the AI got wrong and how I fixed it." Whole-group reflection on AI as a tool for inclusive practice versus a shortcut that bypasses expertise. Individual action planning to identify one specific thing I will try with students in fall 2026.

Participants leave with a real, usable adapted resource and a realistic, critical framework for continuing independently.
Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
 
Wednesday, July 15
 

9:00am EDT

Source Code Session #17: The Ethics of A.I. in the Classroom (single session - no expansion pack session)
LIMITED
Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session we will explore the heavy topics and controversies around A.I. in society and the classroom.  In particular, we will discuss our students using A.I. and how we can talk about it with them, guide them in best practices, and provide them safe ways to use and evaluate A.I. products. We will explore the current big research stories and how to avoid the brain rot that can come with human technology use. We will define bias in machine learning and how it impacts our ability to trust and rely on A.I. Finally, we will look at resources for creating classroom and school policies, and how to make the most of this powerful technology.
Speakers
avatar for Jackie Weber

Jackie Weber

Director of Educator Development Outreach Programs, SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Jackie Weber is the Director of Educator Development Programs for the Outreach Center at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.  With over 28 years of nationwide experience in STEM educational leadership, she continues her focus on professional development... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Source Code Session, Small Group
  • Knowledge/Experience Level 1, 2
  • Audience K-5, All, Administrator
  • Subject All
  • Tags AI, Ethics
  • Location/Room Number B186
  • Participants should bring...Part Laptops (with charging cords);Pre-work (will be sent to participants ahead of time)

10:30am EDT

Source Code Session #19: A.I. & Data Science in the Energy Industry (single session with no expansion pack)
LIMITED
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Powering Intelligence: How Electric Utilities Enable the AI Revolution

After engaging in this session, participants will be able to explain why AI uses so much electricity and how utilities like Duke Energy are addressing this demand while also using AI tools to run the grid better.

In this fascinating session, educators will learn how utilities like Duke Energy are using AI today to run the grid better. They will look inside a Data Center and discuss why AI uses so much electricity. Finally, attendees will get a glimpse into how utility companies are addressing rapid load growth while protecting customers. Attendees will learn about AI in the real world and how it impacts their lives every day. Educators are encouraged to consider how take this knowledge into their classrooms. 
Speakers
avatar for Nicole Flippin

Nicole Flippin

Senior Vice President Nuclear Operations, GSSMF Board of Directors
Nicole Flippin serves as the senior vice president of Duke Energy's nuclear operations in North Carolina. In this role, she provides oversight for the safe and reliable generation of the Brunswick, Harris, and McGuire nuclear plants. Flippin has over 25 years of experience in the... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Source Code Session, Small Group
  • Knowledge/Experience Level 1, 2, 3
  • Audience All
  • Subject All
  • Tags AI, Data Science, Real World
  • Location/Room Number C130
  • Participants should bring...Part Notetaking materials

1:15pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #6X [Part 5 - Cohort Continued]: AI for Every Learner: Practical Tools for Differentiation, Accessibility, and Inclusive Teaching
LIMITED
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
*This is a cohort session. All participants who attend the morning session are invited to attend an accompanying afternoon expansion pack session each afternoon this week to apply your morning learning to the Special Education classroom.*

The 3-hour afternoon workshop gives participants dedicated creation time to apply the morning's framework to real materials from their own classrooms. It is structured as a creation studio rather than a continuation of the lecture.

Hour 1 (1:00–2:00) — Identify and Design: Participants select one real instructional challenge. A lesson that needs differentiation, a text that needs to be adapted for a lower reading level, an assessment that needs scaffolding, or a documentation task they want to streamline. Small groups form around shared challenges. Special educators learn as much from each other as from any presenter. Introduction to the creation workflow: original material → AI prompt → draft → critical review → revision.

Break (2:00–2:15)

Hour 2 (2:15–3:15) — Create: Hands-on creation using Gemini and NotebookLM. Facilitator circulates with targeted coaching. Structured peer feedback in pairs: Does this serve the student? What did the AI miss that a human expert would catch? What needs to be fixed before this goes near a classroom?

Hour 3 (3:15–4:00) — Share, Critique, and Plan: Small group shares. Not just "look what I made" but "here's what the AI got wrong and how I fixed it." Whole-group reflection on AI as a tool for inclusive practice versus a shortcut that bypasses expertise. Individual action planning to identify one specific thing I will try with students in fall 2026.

Participants leave with a real, usable adapted resource and a realistic, critical framework for continuing independently.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550

2:30pm EDT

Break & Refreshments
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
Enjoy refreshments and a stretch of the legs in the South Lobby and outside between sessions. 
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Break

2:45pm EDT

Expansion Pack Session #6X [Part 6 - Cohort Continued]: AI for Every Learner: Practical Tools for Differentiation, Accessibility, and Inclusive Teaching
LIMITED
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
*This is a cohort session. All participants who attend the morning session are invited to attend an accompanying afternoon expansion pack session each afternoon this week to apply your morning learning to the Special Education classroom.*

The 3-hour afternoon workshop gives participants dedicated creation time to apply the morning's framework to real materials from their own classrooms. It is structured as a creation studio rather than a continuation of the lecture.

Hour 1 (1:00–2:00) — Identify and Design: Participants select one real instructional challenge. A lesson that needs differentiation, a text that needs to be adapted for a lower reading level, an assessment that needs scaffolding, or a documentation task they want to streamline. Small groups form around shared challenges. Special educators learn as much from each other as from any presenter. Introduction to the creation workflow: original material → AI prompt → draft → critical review → revision.

Break (2:00–2:15)

Hour 2 (2:15–3:15) — Create: Hands-on creation using Gemini and NotebookLM. Facilitator circulates with targeted coaching. Structured peer feedback in pairs: Does this serve the student? What did the AI miss that a human expert would catch? What needs to be fixed before this goes near a classroom?

Hour 3 (3:15–4:00) — Share, Critique, and Plan: Small group shares. Not just "look what I made" but "here's what the AI got wrong and how I fixed it." Whole-group reflection on AI as a tool for inclusive practice versus a shortcut that bypasses expertise. Individual action planning to identify one specific thing I will try with students in fall 2026.

Participants leave with a real, usable adapted resource and a realistic, critical framework for continuing independently.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
 
Thursday, July 16
 

9:00am EDT

Source Code Session #21: Administrator’s Session: Cultivating Future-Ready Citizens: Empowering Student and Community Voices in Responsible AI Integration
LIMITED
Thursday July 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Also available via virtual link: 

Greenville County Schools (GCS) will share its strategic approach to generative AI, highlighting a human-centered vision focused on student success, a premier workforce, and a caring culture. This session will provide an overview of the district’s three-year AI implementation plan and how GCS is building AI literacy, fostering responsible innovation, and preparing students and educators for a rapidly evolving future.

Participants will learn about the district’s phased approach, beginning with foundational awareness and exploration in Year 1, expanding to intentional educator integration in Year 2 through tools such as MagicSchool.ai, and culminating in Year 3 with student empowerment and future-ready learning experiences supported by MagicStudent.
The session will also highlight the development of Board Policy and Administrative Rules that guide the responsible and intentional use of AI and technology, including efforts to balance innovation with healthy screen-time practices.
Attendees will leave with practical insights into how a large school district can thoughtfully implement AI while maintaining a strong focus on teaching, learning, workforce development, and student well-being.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Susan Stevens

Dr. Susan Stevens

Associate Superintendent of Academics, Greenville County Schools
Dr. Susan Stevens serves as the Associate Superintendent of Academics for Greenville County Schools, bringing extensive experience and a proven record of educational leadership. Her career in education began in 2006 following a successful tenure as a corporate research scientist... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Source Code Session, Large Group

9:00am EDT

Source Code Session #22: The AI Teaching Assistant That Never Sleeps: Honing the AI First Mindset
LIMITED
Thursday July 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
AI is not just a shortcut or a search box—it can function like a tireless teaching assistant, thought partner, editor, tutor, and brainstorming companion. This session will introduce practical ways educators can adopt an “AI First” mindset: asking where AI can save time, deepen learning, personalize support, or improve the quality of your work and save time on manual tasks. Designed for non-experts, the session will focus on real examples rather than technical theory, showing how AI can help draft materials, refine assignments, generate feedback, support student inquiry, and strengthen day-to-day productivity. Participants will leave with a deeper appreciation of what AI can do, how to use it responsibly, and how to begin building AI into their teaching practice with curiosity, judgment, and confidence.

Apply an “AI First” mindset by recognizing moments when AI can save time, improve quality, or expand instructional possibilities. Identify practical classroom and workflow uses for AI as a teaching assistant, planning partner, tutor, editor, and productivity tool. Craft more effective AI prompts to generate stronger lesson ideas, feedback, rubrics, examples, explanations, and student supports. Leverage AI’s multimedia capabilities, including text, images, audio, documents, and data, to support instruction, communication, and daily productivity. Understand the major AI model options and recognize which tools are best suited for different teaching and productivity tasks.
Speakers
avatar for Justin Young

Justin Young

Director of Investments, MEMCO - Multilateral Endowment Management Company
Justin Young, an SCGSSM 2003 alumnus, is Director of Investments at MEMCO, where he helps nonprofit institutions build resilient portfolios and evaluate investment opportunities across public and private markets. A former GSSM student and graduate of the University of South Carolina... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Source Code Session, Small Group
  • Knowledge/Experience Level 1, 2, 3
  • Audience All, Administrator
  • Subject All
  • Tags Productivity
  • Location/Room Number C126
  • Participants should bring...Part Laptops (with charging cords)

10:15am EDT

Source Code Session #24: Administrator’s Session: AI for AI for Teaching, Learning, and Productivity
LIMITED
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session explores practical AI applications for educators, from foundational concepts to real-world classroom use cases. Presenters will introduce core AI ideas, discuss responsible adoption strategies, and examine how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and academic integrity. Through real-world examples and live demonstrations, attendees will see how AI tools can enhance productivity. The session will also highlight approaches to AI enablement, including ambassador programs and cross-functional best practices. Participants will leave with actionable ideas and a clearer understanding of how to begin using AI effectively and thoughtfully in educational settings.

After participating in this session, attendees will be able to:
1. Explain core AI concepts and their relevance to teaching and learning.
2. Identify practical ways AI can support instruction, productivity, and classroom engagement.
3. Apply strategies for integrating AI into education and use by educators.
Speakers
avatar for Dwayne Daily

Dwayne Daily

Emerging Technology Initiatives Leader, Trane Technologies
Dwayne Daily is an Emerging Technology Initiatives Leader at Trane Technologies with more than 20 years of experience leading digital transformation and enterprise technology programs across global organizations. He has built and scaled AI and digital platforms, led the rollout of... Read More →
avatar for Matt Erdman

Matt Erdman

Emerging Technology Initiatives leader, Trane Technologies
Matt Erdman is an Emerging Technology Initiatives leader with special interest in AI. Matt has led large-scale analytics initiatives, built training and mentoring programs, and helped Trane Technologies use research, data, and machine learning to make better decisions. Previously... Read More →
avatar for Rashmi Vadlakonda

Rashmi Vadlakonda

Smart Transformation Engineer & Gen AI Ambassador, Trane Technologies
Rashmi Vadlakonda is a Smart Transformation Engineer at Trane Technologies with a focus on digital transformation, and technology implementation. She has led initiatives in additive manufacturing, manufacturing execution systems, and enterprise technology adoption to improve workflows... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Source Code Session, Large Group

10:15am EDT

Source Code Session #27: AI in Education Today: What Every Educator and Administrator Needs to Know
LIMITED
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
The AI landscape in education is moving fast, and not all tools are created equal. This session gives educators a clear-eyed look at where legislation and policy stand today, how those decisions ripple down to the classroom level, and what to watch for as districts navigate responsible AI adoption. We'll unpack what makes MagicSchool distinctly different from general-purpose chatbots and consumer AI tools, and explore how purpose-built AI supports meaningful, intentional screen time for students and educators alike.


By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Summarize the current state of AI-related legislation and policy and its implications for classroom practice
  2. Distinguish between general-purpose chatbots and purpose-built AI tools designed specifically for education
  3. Evaluate AI tools through the lens of purposeful screen time and student safety
  4. Articulate why MagicSchool was built for educators and how that distinction shapes responsible adoption in their district

Speakers
avatar for Karisa Schwanekamp

Karisa Schwanekamp

Solution Architect, MagicSchoolAI
 Karisa Schwanekamp is a Solutions Architect at MagicSchool, where she partners with school districts to implement AI tools that are practical, purposeful, and grounded in real classroom needs. A former educator of 21 years spanning special education, elementary education, STEM... Read More →
avatar for Derek Lovell

Derek Lovell

District Partnerships - Carolinas, MagicSchoolAI
Derek Lovell partners with school districts across the Carolinas to help educators thoughtfully integrate AI into teaching and learning. With 17 years of experience in K–12 education and EdTech, he is passionate about building strong relationships and supporting districtwide innovation... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Source Code Session, Small Group

10:15am EDT

Source Code Session #28: Keeping Humans in the Loop: AI Use with Integrity
LIMITED
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
AI isn’t replacing student work. It is replacing student struggle.

In an era when AI can write an essay, solve an equation, and generate a research summary in seconds, the most important question is no longer whether students can use AI — it’s whether they are thinking while they do it. This session reframes the AI-in-schools conversation away from detection and discipline toward something far more powerful: building the responsible use, critical thinking, and informed judgment that make students genuinely prepared for the world they are entering.

Drawing on the aiEDU AI Readiness Framework, participants will explore how AI bias shows up in classrooms, what it looks like to be a critical consumer of AI outputs, and how to design learning experiences that honor both human judgment and the tools that are here to stay.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
  1. Identify at least two ways AI systems reflect bias and explain why this matters for classroom learning and student agency.
  2. Recognize human cognitive biases — including confirmation bias and authority bias — that shape how students and teachers interact with AI outputs.
  3. Apply a framework for evaluating student AI use that centers critical thinking and responsible judgment, not detection or compliance.
  4. Redesign or adapt at least one existing task to support transparent, integrity-centered AI integration using a prompt rubric and transcript as the assessable artifact.
Speakers
avatar for LeNard Pitts

LeNard Pitts

Senior Program Lead, East Coast The AI Education Project, aiEDU- The AI Education Project
LeNard Pitts is a passionate advocate for educational equity and digital empowerment in underestimated communities. As Senior Program Lead at aiEDU, he builds the critical thinking and human judgment students need to lead in a world shaped by AI. With over a decade of experience... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550
  Source Code Session, Small Group

11:15am EDT

Transition to Closing Ceremony
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:15am - 11:45am EDT
Following the last session, please join us at the hotel in the Coker Room for the Closing Ceremony. 
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:15am - 11:45am EDT
Hampton Inn Coker Room 203 East Carolina Ave., Hartsville, SC, US
  Break, Large Group
  • Knowledge/Experience Level 1, 2, 3
  • Audience All
  • Location/Room Number Coker Room

11:45am EDT

Closing Ceremony & Keynote
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm EDT
Keynote Speaker: Lilyn Hester, Head of Southeast External Affairs & Government Relations, Google

Housekeeping Bits and Final Farewells
Speakers
avatar for Jackie Weber

Jackie Weber

Director of Educator Development Outreach Programs, SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Jackie Weber is the Director of Educator Development Programs for the Outreach Center at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.  With over 28 years of nationwide experience in STEM educational leadership, she continues her focus on professional development... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm EDT
Hampton Inn Coker Room 203 East Carolina Ave., Hartsville, SC, US
  Keynote, Large Group
  • Knowledge/Experience Level 1, 2, 3
  • Audience All
  • Subject All
  • Location/Room Number Coker Room
 
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