NETA 2025: Full Schedule

The NETA Board is excited to welcome you to a dynamic learning experience on May 1-2, 2025, at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney, Nebraska.

arrow_back View All Dates

7:15am CDT

Artificial Intelligence and Imagination: DAP for Early Childhood

Friday May 2, 2025 7:15am - 8:00am CDT

Silver 10

There is nothing more complex and expansive than a young child’s imagination. Educators will learn how to harness the power of AI to help support the development of imagination and play skills by making students’ thinking visual, through a variety of tech modalities, specifically Canva and ChatGPT. AI has the ability to represent fanciful and intricate play schemas, and support the documentation of cognitive development through visual representation. ISTE (2.5a -2.5c; 2.6a-b; 2.6d; 2.7a-b).

Speakers

Emma Bonacci

Omaha Public Schools

Augmented Reality, Equity in Education, Kindergarten, Instagram, iPhonography, Writing Workshop.

Friday May 2, 2025 7:15am - 8:00am CDT
Silver 10

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Elementary, Special Education
Tags Artificial Intelligence (AI), Canva, Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd), Social Emotional Learning
Grade Level Early Childhood/Pre-Kindergarten, Elementary
Target Audience Novice

7:15am CDT

Learning Adventures with Canva

Friday May 2, 2025 7:15am - 8:00am CDT

Silver 7

Do you love Canva and are ready to use it with your students? Discover how to bring your lessons to life! In this session, you’ll learn to create lessons and classes in Canva, use templates as digital assignments, design fun and engaging presentations, provide effective feedback, and leverage Canva’s AI tools to elevate student engagement. Whether you’re a Canva beginner or a seasoned pro, this session will equip you with the tools to design learning adventures your students will love.

Speakers

Jennifer Davis

Technology Integration Specialist, Educational Service Unit #1

Jennifer has twenty-one years of experience as an educator and has taught biology, chemistry, physics, physical science, computer science, and undergraduate education courses. She is the Technology Integration Specialist at ESU 1.Jennifer completed her Doctor of Education (Ed.D... Read More →

Friday May 2, 2025 7:15am - 8:00am CDT
Silver 7

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Elementary, Teaching & Learning
Tags Artificial Intelligence (AI), Assessment, Canva, Creation/Design Tools
Grade Level Elementary, Middle, Secondary
Target Audience All

10:15am CDT

Science/Math/EdTech Integration for a Sustainable World

Friday May 2, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Silver 9

Discover empowering digital tools and activities for elementary students to learn more about people’s relationship to the natural environment and ways to work toward a healthy planet. Raise environmental literacy and hone STEM skills while participating in simulations on natural resource use, wildlife habitats and more. Receive resources aligned with Nebraska Standards for Science, Mathematics and Social Studies.

Speakers

Amanda Steiner

Assistant Professor of Education, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Friday May 2, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Silver 9

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Computer Science, Teaching & Learning
Tags Cross Curriculum, Google Suite, Science, STEM / STEAM
Grade Level Elementary
Target Audience All

10:15am CDT

Lesson-Palooza: Over 264 Ways to Rock Your Elementary Library

Friday May 2, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Silver 5

Discover how one librarian partnered with school librarians district-wide to create a comprehensive elementary library curriculum. The curriculum includes 44 lessons per grade level with teaching slides, lesson summaries, and materials to enhance student learning. Lessons feature story connections or read-alouds, plus resource fliers to help families extend learning beyond the classroom.

Speakers

Betsy Thomas

11:15am CDT

“That’s Me in the Spotlight”—Creating Audience for Students

Friday May 2, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Silver 10

A student of mine said, “When it's actually published and other people are reading it, everyone kind of puts in more time and effort and just want it to be better." Yet research shows that most writing assignments are still for an audience of one—the teacher. How can we expand our students’ audiences with the use of technology? In this session, we’ll play with technologies, strategies, and activities that can expand students’ audiences, from simple formative writing to major final projects.

Speakers

Melissa Pilakowski

Friday May 2, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 10

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Elementary, Teaching & Learning
Tags Classroom Management, Conversation, Distance/Online Learning, Google Suite
Grade Level Elementary, Middle, Secondary, Higher Education
Target Audience All

11:15am CDT

An Interactive Gym for All? Yoga, Mental Health, Group Activities

Friday May 2, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Bronze 3

"Transform your gym into an interactive learning environment with Lü

Technology can play a major role in all classes! In this session, discover the educational potential of Lü, an interactive, engaging technology tool designed for school gyms. This innovative technology and its many applications (games and utilities) can assist teachers in various tasks, and contribute to enhancing the students' experience in PE. Hear how West Lawn in Grand Island are using their new Lü. The future of gyms!"

Speakers

Frédéric Morin-Beland

Lü

Maggie Mintken

Assistant Principal, Grand Island Senior High

Brooke Wentzlaff

Grecia SanRoman

Friday May 2, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Bronze 3

Exhibitor Session

Strands that Match Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Tags Creation/Design Tools, Emerging Technology, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd)
Grade Level Early Childhood/Pre-Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle
Target Audience All

11:15am CDT

Digital Curation for Year Round Library Success

Friday May 2, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Silver 5

Discover how digital curation can transform your library into a dynamic, year-round resource for your school community. Attendees will explore practical tools and strategies to keep libraries accessible and relevant throughout the year.

Speakers

Betsy Thomas

1:15pm CDT

Parent Power Up: Creative Ways to Communicate with Families

Friday May 2, 2025 1:15pm - 2:00pm CDT

Silver 5

Build stronger connections between your school library and the families in your community. This session will explore creative strategies for engaging families with library programs and resources, from sharing read-aloud plans to leveraging digital tools. Learn how to communicate effectively, promote transparency, and extend library learning beyond the classroom.

Speakers