Digital Media, Graphic Communications, & Digital Technology Summer Conference: Full Schedule

8:00am PDT

Opening Session

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am PDT

Speakers

Saige Bowman

Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Saige has experience teaching in the fine arts and CTE from 2013-2022, ranging in student ages of 8-18. She has attained a BFA in K-12 Education with a concentration in Graphic Design, a BS in Psychology, an MS in Education Leadership, and holds both administrator and secondary education... Read More →

Kristina Yamada

Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

K-12 Computer Science Education

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am PDT
Auditorium

General

about <br>

8:00am PDT

Certiport / Knowledge Pillars Industry Testing

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm PDT

B109

This is an opportunity to take industry-recognized certification exams through Certiport and Knowledge Pillars, allowing you to demonstrate your own industry standard skills and competencies. By stepping into the role of the learner, participants will gain valuable insight into the expectations, rigor, and real-world applications embedded within these assessments. Engaging directly with...
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Speakers

Sara Cox

Sara Cox - Specialist, Partnership Management, Certiport

Sara Cox has been a vital member of Certiport’s-Pearson Large Accounts Deployment Team since 2014, bringing deep expertise in customer training and deployment management. With a strong background in tailoring solutions to client needs, she consistently drives successful implementations... Read More →

Aaron Osmond

CEO, Knowledge Pillars

Knowledge Pillars is a provider of "live in the coding browser" assessments and certification exams for the most popular computer science, coding, and web development tools. Students are tested on their actual ability to code, not just to memorize information. Our Coding and Web Development... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm PDT
B109

Industry Testing

8:00am PDT

YouScience Industry Certification Testing

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm PDT

B113

This is an opportunity to take YouScience certification assessments firsthand, offering a valuable lens into the skills and knowledge being measured within the digital arts-related pathways. By experiencing the assessments as learners, participants will gain deeper insight into how certifications align with course strands and standards. As you engage with the tests, you’ll build a clearer...
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Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm PDT
B113 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Industry Testing

8:30am PDT

Pathful

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am PDT

Auditorium

Speakers

Paul Ashby

Customer Success Manager, YouScience

With over 20 years in education, Paul brings expertise in Special Education, administration, and professional development. His passion for guiding students towards optimal career paths has flourished in his 2-year tenure at YouScience, where as the Customer Success Manager, he collaborates... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
Auditorium

General

9:45am PDT

Setting the Table for Success: Maximizing CTE and Special Education Collaboration

Tuesday June 9, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT

Auditorium

Completing or concentrating in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway significantly improves post school outcomes. In addition to raising graduation rates for students with disabilities, CTE pathway participation is correlated with higher rates of postsecondary education and employment. Achieving these outcomes requires collaboration between CTE and Special Education. This session helps...
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Speakers

Lavinia Gripentrog

Postsecondary Transition and TBI Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Utah's Transition Elevated Resource website on Postsecondary Transition for students with disabilities

Deanna Taylor

Secondary Transition Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Deanna Taylor is a Postsecondary Transition for Students with Disabilities Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. Her public education career has spanned over 40 years as a music teacher, special education teacher, special education director and college instructor in three... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Auditorium

General

10:45am PDT

Break

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:00am PDT

Commons

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:00am PDT
Commons

General

11:00am PDT

YouScience Data Deep-Dive

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Auditorium

Speakers

Paul Ashby

Customer Success Manager, YouScience

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Auditorium

General

12:00pm PDT

Lunch

Tuesday June 9, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Commons

Tuesday June 9, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Commons

General

1:00pm PDT

Brightpath

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Auditorium

Speakers

Paul Ashby

Customer Success Manager, YouScience

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Auditorium

General

1:45pm PDT

Break

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm PDT

Commons

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm PDT
Commons

General

2:00pm PDT

Google, A Notebook, and A Teacher: The AI-Empowered Educator: Demystifying AI & Streamlining Instruction with NotebookLM

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Auditorium

Imagine having a powerful toolkit to help you design engaging lessons, spark student curiosity, and manage your instructional workload. Kick off the afternoon with a foundational look at artificial intelligence, before diving into how you can confidently integrate it into your classroom with NotebookLM—a robust platform that lets you ground the AI strictly in your specific K-12 course materials....
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Speakers

Rick Lapi

Collaborator, Google

Rick is an instructional Technology Coach/Director at the Governor Mifflin School District in Shillington, PA. he has been instrumental in the planning and implementation in their 1:World roll-out in 2017, as well as Wilson School District 1:1 implementation in 2014. In addition... Read More →

Nicole Reitz-Larsen

Educator, Canyon School District

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Auditorium

General

8:00am PDT

Pathway Changes + Q&A

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am PDT

Auditorium

Speakers

Saige Bowman

Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Kristina Yamada

Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

K-12 Computer Science Education

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am PDT
Auditorium

General

8:00am PDT

Certiport Testing

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm PDT

B109

Speakers

Sara Cox

Sara Cox - Specialist, Partnership Management, Certiport

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm PDT
B109

Industry Testing

8:00am PDT

Knowledge Pillars Testing

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm PDT

B113

Speakers

Aaron Osmond

CEO, Knowledge Pillars

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm PDT
B113 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Industry Testing

10:00am PDT

Break

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am PDT

Commons

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am PDT
Commons

General

10:15am PDT

Advertising Design Strands & Standards

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT

B121

Be among the first to explore a preview of the new Advertising Design strands and standards in this collaborative session designed for thoughtful discussion and idea-sharing. Participants will get a sneak peek at upcoming course updates while engaging in deeper conversations about the skills, concepts, and industry alignment shaping these changes. This session creates space for like-minded...
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Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT
B121 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

10:15am PDT

Branding & Logo Design Strands & Standards

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT

B121

Be among the first to explore a preview of the new Branding & Logo Design strands and standards in this collaborative session designed for thoughtful discussion and idea-sharing. Participants will get a sneak peek at upcoming course updates while engaging in deeper conversations about the skills, concepts, and industry alignment shaping these changes. This session creates space for like-minded...
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Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT
B121 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

10:15am PDT

Design Capstone Strands & Standards

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT

B125

Be among the first to explore a preview of the revised Design Capstone strands and standards in this collaborative session designed for thoughtful discussion and idea-sharing. Participants will get a sneak peek at upcoming course updates while engaging in deeper conversations about the skills, concepts, and industry alignment shaping these changes. This session creates space for like-minded...
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Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT
B125 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

10:15am PDT

Digital Illustration Strands & Standards

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT

B121

Be among the first to explore a preview of the revised Digital Illustration strands and standards in this collaborative session designed for thoughtful discussion and idea-sharing. Participants will get a sneak peek at upcoming course updates while engaging in deeper conversations about the skills, concepts, and industry alignment shaping these changes. This session creates space for like-minded...
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Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT
B121 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

10:15am PDT

Illustrator/Photoshop Strands & Standards

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT

B125

Be among the first to explore a preview of the new Illustrator & Photoshop strands and standards in this collaborative session designed for thoughtful discussion and idea-sharing. Participants will get a sneak peek at upcoming course updates while engaging in deeper conversations about the skills, concepts, and industry alignment shaping these changes. This session creates space for like-minded...
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Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT
B125 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

10:15am PDT

Packaging & Product Design Strands & Standards

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT

B125

Be among the first to explore a preview of the new Packaging & Product Design strands and standards in this collaborative session designed for thoughtful discussion and idea-sharing. Participants will get a sneak peek at upcoming course updates while engaging in deeper conversations about the skills, concepts, and industry alignment shaping these changes. This session creates space for like-minded...
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Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT
B125 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

10:15am PDT

What's up Doc? - Tips and tricks for teaching 2D Animation

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT

B111

What’s working in the classroom right now—and what’s changing in the animation industry faster than a frame-by-frame walk cycle? Join this lively session packed with practical teaching tips, creative exercises, classroom hacks, and real-world insights for educators teaching 2D animation today.

Speakers

Lisa Wadzeck

State Advisor, Jordan School District

Lisa has a BFA in Art Education and has been teaching Digital Media for the past 27 years.
She is also the State TSA Advisor for Utah.

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT
B111

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

10:15am PDT

Game Development Fundamentals: Scope & Sequence + Using Flowlab Game Creator

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT

B119

Explore how to structure a successful Game Development Fundamentals course by reviewing a complete scope and sequence while also diving into Flowlab Game Creator. Flowlab is a browser-based game engine that is easier to learn than Unity or Unreal, yet more powerful than Scratch. It uses a visual logic builder instead of traditional code, making it accessible for students of all experience levels....
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Speakers

Mike Dunkley

Computer Science & Multimedia Instructor, NUAMES

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT
B119

Digital Technology

10:15am PDT

Real or Rendered? Promoting Digital Media Literacy in the Age of AI

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT

B108

In a world where AI can generate realistic but false text, images, and video, how do we equip students with the skills to be critical digital citizens? This essential workshop moves beyond content creation to focus on critical evaluation. We will provide a framework for teaching students how to identify the hallmarks of AI-generated content, verify sources with greater scrutiny, and understand the...
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Speakers

Rick Lapi

Collaborator, Google

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am PDT
B108 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Technology

11:00am PDT

Lunch

Wednesday June 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Commons

Wednesday June 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Commons

General

12:00pm PDT

Sneak Peek & Deep Dive: New Strands and Standards

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

B121

This is a continuation of previous strands and standards sessions during this conference.Be among the first to explore a preview of the new strands and standards in this collaborative session designed for thoughtful discussion and idea-sharing. Participants will get a sneak peek at upcoming course updates while engaging in deeper conversations about the skills, concepts, and industry alignment...
See More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
B121 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

12:00pm PDT

From Fundamentals to Creation: AI Technical Foundations & the New Product Development Cycle

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

B119

AI is reshaping not just curriculum, but the entire product development cycle—and educators are uniquely positioned to lead that shift. In this session, you’ll explore how AI tools are already transforming the way educational technology is built, where classroom tech is heading, and how one Utah educator is actively developing real AI-powered tools for teachers today. At the same time, we’ll...
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Speakers

Ryan Frandsen

CTE Teacher, Davis School District

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
B119

Digital Technology

12:00pm PDT

Your Custom AI Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Gemini Gems

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

B108

Tired of writing the same long, detailed prompts every time you need Gemini to help with a specific task? This workshop introduces Gemini Gems, a powerful feature that lets you build custom, reusable Google AI assistants. We'll show you how to create and save personalized instructions, turning the general-purpose Gemini into a specialist for your unique needs. Learn how to build a "Syllabus...
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Speakers

Rick Lapi

Collaborator, Google

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
B108 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Technology

12:00pm PDT

Weapon Agency Presentation

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

B112

Speakers

Ash Ram

Founder & President, Weapon Agency

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
B112 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

12:45pm PDT

Beyond the Lens: Visual Branding and Digital Growth

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT

B119

In this session, Laurence Boswell shares the dual blueprint for standing out in a crowded market. You will explore how high-impact commercial photography serves as the foundation for a brand’s visual identity and how to leverage that imagery across critical digital touchpoints. Laurence breaks down three essential growth strategies: optimizing your online presence through Google Business and...
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Speakers

Laurence Boswell

Boswell Photography

Laurence Boswell is a professional commercial photographer and studio owner based in Draper, Utah. With a career marked by four consecutive "Best of SLC" nominations, Laurence specializes in high-end product imagery and brand overhauls, helping local businesses and e-commerce brands... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
B119

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

12:45pm PDT

Self-Guided Work Session: Exploring Digital Arts Strands & Planning for Pathway Implementation

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT

B121

This self-guided work session provides dedicated time and space for educators to explore the newly developed strands and standards at their own pace. Rather than a structured presentation, participants will independently navigate resources, review course content, and focus on the areas most relevant to their programs and students. Educators can use this time to dig into specific courses, reflect...
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Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
B121 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

1:00pm PDT

Inclusive by Design: Using Google AI to Enhance Accessibility and UDL

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

B108

Are you looking for practical ways to make your courses accessible to all learners without adding hours to your workload? This workshop explores how Gemini can help you implement the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) efficiently. We'll demonstrate how to use Google AI for practical accessibility tasks, such as generating accurate transcripts for video content, creating descriptive...
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Speakers

Rick Lapi

Collaborator, Google

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
B108 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Technology

1:00pm PDT

THE NEW COMBINED PATHWAY

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

B119

👀 Come get a FIRST LOOK at what’s next for Digital Technology in Utah!This isn’t just an update—it’s a glimpse into a potential reimagining of a NEW PATHWAY, come help us build this with your feedback, your needs, and your classroom realities in mind. 💡We’re talking about the possibilities you’ve been asking for—new directions, updated experiences, and exciting...
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Speakers

Nicole Reitz-Larsen

Educator, Canyon School District

Rodger Brown

GTI

Lisa Wadzeck

State Advisor, Jordan School District

Lisa has a BFA in Art Education and has been teaching Digital Media for the past 27 years.
She is also the State TSA Advisor for Utah.

Lucas Wild

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
B119

Digital Technology

1:30pm PDT

Break

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:30pm - 1:45pm PDT

Commons

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:30pm - 1:45pm PDT
Commons

Digital Media | Graphic Comm. | Comm. Photography

1:45pm PDT

Break

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm PDT

Commons

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm PDT
Commons

Digital Technology

1:45pm PDT

From Concept to Career: Industry Insights in Digital Arts

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT

Auditorium

Join a panel of industry professionals working across the digital arts landscape—including graphic design, illustration, animation, photography, and emerging media—as they share what it takes to turn creative skills into real-world opportunities. Panelists will offer insights into current industry trends, in-demand technical and professional skills, and how digital tools and workflows are...
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Speakers

Laurence Boswell

Boswell Photography

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Auditorium

General

2:00pm PDT

Building with AI & Teaching Game Development Through Visual Scripting

Wednesday June 10, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

B119

Discover how to both build and teach with today’s most accessible and powerful tools. This session explores how AI can be used to create practical, customized tools for your classroom—helping support student learning, streamline instruction, and reduce repetitive tasks. You’ll see real examples of AI-assisted resources designed specifically for classroom use and walk away with...
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Speakers

Brian Ericson

Educator, Salt Lake City School District

Brian Ericson has been a professional teacher since 2012 and a professional 3D artist since 2010. His passion for 3D is passed on to his students.

Wednesday June 10, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
B119

Digital Technology

2:00pm PDT

USBE CTE's AI Pilot Course and Alignment to the Gemini Certified Student (K12): The AI-Ready Student: Facilitating the Gemini Credential in Your Classroom

Wednesday June 10, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

B108

Get ready for a deep dive into the future of AI education in Utah! 🤖✨ In this interactive session, we’ll unpack the pilot strands & standards for the second AI course—what they are, why they matter, and how they’re intentionally designed to move students from AI users to AI creators. But we’re not stopping at theory… 👀As AI continues to become an integral part of the world, our...
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Speakers

Rick Lapi

Collaborator, Google

Wednesday June 10, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
B108 Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Digital Technology

3:00pm PDT

Awards & Closing Remarks

Wednesday June 10, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Auditorium

Wednesday June 10, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Auditorium

General

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