We are thrilled to announce a powerhouse collaboration coming this fall! On October 9th, 2026, the Virginia Children’s Engineering Council (VCEC), the Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium (SVRTC), and the Institute for Teaching through Technology and Innovative Practices (ITTIP) are joining forces at Longwood University for a one-day event: “The Power of Three: STEM & Instructional Technology Showcase” for the educators of Southside Virginia.
Event at a Glance
- What: STEM Summit Fall 2026
- When: October 9th, 2026
- Where: Longwood University
- Cost: $25 per attendee
- Registration: The Power of Three registration form
Agenda
| 8:30 am – 9:00 am | Arrival and Registration |
| 9:00 am – 9:45 am | Welcome and Keynote – Dr. Alecia Blackwood |
| 10:00 am – 10:45 am | Breakout Session 1 |
| 11:00 am – 11:45 am | Breakout Session 2 |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch and STEM Expert Panel |
| 1:15 pm – 2:00 pm | Breakout Session 3 |
| 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm | Breakout Session 4 |
| 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Closure/Door Prizes |
Keynote Speaker – Dr. Alicia Blackwood
Alecia Blackwood is an author, consultant, coach, facilitator, and international speaker with over 25 years of experience in education, including 18 years in K–12 settings and 7 years in higher education. A former instructional coach at a STEM school and U.S. Fulbright-Hays Scholar for Namibia and Botswana, Dr. Blackwood is recognized as one of the leading U.S. experts on Ubuntu Pedagogy, a humanistic approach to fostering student engagement, belonging, and meaningful teaching and learning. In 2024, she received the ISTE Faculty Research Fellowship to explore AI in schools and was recently named a 2026 AI Catalyst Fellow by the EDSAFE AI Alliance. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Education at Longwood University.
Beyond the ‘Techlash’: Leading, Learning, and Teaching in an Age of Everyday AI
As AI, screen time, and emerging technologies reshape conversations about education, Virginia educators face an important challenge: preparing students for a rapidly changing technological world while keeping teaching, learning, and human development at the center. In this keynote, Dr. Alecia Blackwood explores what STEM literacy, future readiness, and Everyday AI mean for today’s classrooms and the future they are entering.
Participants will examine how educators can approach emerging technologies thoughtfully, critically, and ethically while remaining grounded in sound pedagogy, professional judgment, and learners’ needs. Through practical examples and guided reflection, attendees will leave with a simple framework for evaluating new technologies, making informed instructional decisions, and leading meaningful conversations about AI in their schools and communities.
STEM Panel Members
Jon Gregori
Yvonne Richards
Lakesia Jolley-Foster
???? – Classroom Teacher
Michele Thompson – Moderator
Accommodations
Overnight accommodations are available at the following Farmville area hotels:
NEED TO ADD:
Separate Schedule Page
Vendor Page