Connect with a community of forward-thinking peers to refine your approach to teaching and innovation at the in-person EXSEED Summer Educator Conference. This immersive professional development experience is designed specifically for K-12 educators looking to bridge the gap between traditional instruction and cutting-edge STEM+C (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, + Computing) practices.

Through collaborative workshops, world-class mentorship, and hands-on training in Design Thinking, we empower teachers to transform their classrooms and inspire the next generation of problem solvers. Join a community of forward-thinking educators dedicated to changing the face of education.

Save the Date: June 15-19, 2026

Save the Date: June 15-19, 2026

Mark your calendars and save the date for an unforgettable week of innovation, collaboration, and growth at the EXSEED Summer Educator Conference! Check back soon for more information on our 2026 conference.
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EXSEED Summer Conference 2025 Amanda Darsey Presenting K-2 Workshop
EXSEED Summer Conference 2025 Amanda Darsey Presenting K-2 Workshop
Testimonial
Last summer (2025), I was honored to be a breakout presenter at EXSEED and led a large K-12 NTCA team to the LLU EXSEED program for training. Now, in the 2025-2026 school year, I am thrilled to announce that Design Thinking is fully incorporated campus-wide, K-12, with full administrative backing. We are actively changing the face of education at NTCA, and I truly could not have accomplished what I have done at my school without the incredible support from the EXSEED team and the life-changing mentorship of Robert Henley.
Amanda Darsey
North Tampa Christian Academy, Middle School Science Teacher

Conference Essentials

Registration Information

Important Information:

  • Format: This year's conference will be held in person at Loma Linda University.
  • Cost: $100 registration fee (non-refundable). Includes hotel accommodations, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is available at the hotel.
  • Attendance: Full attendance throughout the conference week (Monday through Friday) is required to maximize the learning experience and receive clock hours. The evening programming for Monday through Thursday is subject to change so please plan on required attendance until 8 p.m.
  • Clock Hours: Earn 34 non-academic clock hours upon completion of the full conference program.
  • Technology: Please bring your own laptop to use during sessions and workshops. iPads will not be provided. Mac users will need to bring a USB Adapter.
  • Limited Capacity: Registration is limited to 50 participants. If you need to cancel your registration, please inform us as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to someone on the waiting list.

We look forward to welcoming you to the EXSEED Summer Conference!

Plenary Sessions

In these hands-on plenary sessions, you will explore the framework of innovation—Design Thinking, Problem-Based Learning, and Mechatronics—within a classroom setting as you develop solutions to real-world challenges. Discover how to integrate Innovation and STEM+C in an engaging way that transforms your classroom and school into an authentic learning environment that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
These sessions emphasize the constructionist approach to education, where learning is most effective when students actively construct knowledge through hands-on experiences. Educators will gain both theoretical insights and practical strategies to implement these methods, fostering deeper student engagement and innovation in STEM+C learning.
 
You will also receive a toolkit of strategies that you will be able to implement to transform your school into an innovation school that will equip your students with the competencies needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. You will walk away with a comprehensive curriculum, including a textbook, lesson plans, and a scope and sequence with structured resources to implement in your classroom immediately.
 
  • K – 8 teachers will learn how to use the BBC Micro:bit microcontroller to create a toy for children with disabilities or a communication device for non-verbal children.
  • 7 – 12 teachers will learn how to use the Arduino Microcontroller to create a medical device that address pusher syndrome.
 
Topics Covered will include: Competency-Based Education, Personalized Learning, Scrum, Multiple Intelligence in the Classroom, Generative AI, and much more.
 
No matter what grade you teach, you will leave equipped, inspired, and ready to transform your classroom into an innovation powerhouse. No prior tech experience is required—just a growth mindset! Join us for an inspiring week of exploration, collaboration, and growth as we empower you to cultivate the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators!

Breakout Sessions

Breakout Sessions grades K-2: Amanda Darsey & Jacquelin Gunther 

Prepare for four dynamic workshops packed with hands-on learning and practical strategies to transform your K-2classrooms.

We'll be diving deep into the world of Design Thinking and Problem-Based Learning (PBL), equipping you with the tools and techniques to ignite creativity and critical thinking in your young learners. Expect engaging activities, collaborative projects, and plenty of opportunities to explore cutting-edge educational technology.

You'll participate in collaborative design challenges that illustrate the design thinking process and explore real-world problem-solving scenarios to understand the application of PBL in early childhood education. We'll also equip you with user-friendly AI tools to streamline your planning, demonstrating how to leverage AI to speed up brainstorming, content generation, and personalize learning experiences. This will provide you with the resources and support you need to create impactful unit plans that you can implement right away.

Get ready to collaborate, innovate, and leave feeling inspired and empowered to bring fresh, exciting learning experiences to your classroom! We can't wait to see you there!

Breakout Sessions grades 3-8: Rozaleth Tenga

These breakout sessions are designed to empower 3-8 grade teachers to integrate technology and design thinking into their teaching practices. Participants will begin by learning strategies for unit planning that align with standards and incorporate design thinking principles. They will then explore hands-on tools like Micro:bit, Cardboard Robots, circuitry, and 3D printing, getting an introduction on how to use and teach these technologies to students. Building on this foundation, teachers will develop project ideas using these technologies within a design thinking framework. The final session ties everything together, allowing participants to refine their unit plans, collaborate, receive peer feedback, and prepare for classroom implementation.

  • Session 1: Design Thinking and Foundations of Unit Planning with Technology - Introduce the design thinking process and equip teachers with strategies on how to create unit plans integrating technology and design thinking.
  • Session 2: Exploring Tools and Technologies Part I - Teachers will have hands-on experience using the micro:bit and circuitry, creating their own cardboard robot.
  • Session 3: Exploring Tools and Technologies Part II - Teachers will have hands-on experience creating 3D designs and using a 3D printer. Teachers will integrate this session with Session II, collaborating and brainstorming how 3D printing can be involved in the use of micro:bits.
  • Session 4: Bringing It All Together - Teachers will create a unit plan that involves a project idea to implement in their classrooms. Teachers can collaborate, brainstorm with peers, and receive feedback.

Breakout Sessions grades 9-12: Robert Henley

Unlock the full potential of engineering design in your classroom with this comprehensive workshop on Autodesk Fusion 360 (Computer Aided Design). Tailored specifically for educators, this hands-on workshop will equip you with the knowledge, skills and strategies needed to inspire the next generation of designers, engineers, and innovators. Educators will also learn how to 3D print their designs. Topics will include: Problem-Based Learning, Competency-Based Education, Design Thinking, Iterative Design and Project Management with SCRUM.

Speakers

Plenary and Breakout Speaker 

Robert Henley, M.A., MCSE, MCT, A+, Network+
Innovation Director | Office of Education
Director | Florida Conference Institute for Innovation
Innovation Lab Director | Forest Lake Academy
Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Breakout Speaker 

Rozaleth "RJ" Tenga, MS
Junior High STEM Teacher
Loma Linda Academy

Amanda Darsey
Middle School Science and STEM Teacher
North Tampa Christian Academy

Jacquelin Gunther
Kindergarten Teacher
North Tampa Christian Academy

Overview

SCHEDULE

View the conference schedule - COMING SOON!

MEALS

M-F

  • Breakfast (7:00-7:45 AM)*
  • Lunch (12:00- 1:00 PM)
  • Dinner (5:15-6:00 PM)
*A continental breakfast will be available to attendees staying at the hotels. 

*The evening programming for Monday through Thursday is subject to change so please plan on required attendance until 8 p.m.

EXSEED Conference

 EXSEED provides & covers the cost of:Attendee provides:Pacific Union Conference offers:
First-time attendees 
Full conference
  • Lodging*
  • Meals
  • Conference materials
$100.00 registration fee (non-refundable)

NOTE: Participants are responsible for their travel to and from the EXSEED Conference at Loma Linda University.		CEUs or completed clock hours*
Notes* Full attendance throughout the conference week (Monday through Friday) is expected for all conference participants.   

REGISTRATION

Who can apply?

Registration for the full conference is open to the following groups:

  • SDA K-12 teachers (includes in-service teachers)
  • SDA K-12 administrators
  • SDA higher education professors
  • SDA higher education administrators
  • SDA union & conference representatives
  • K-12 teachers from Indian Springs High School Health Academy
  • K-12 teachers from the San Bernardino City Unified School District
  • Alumni Participation: Alumni who attended previous EXSEED Summer Conferences prior to 2023 are generally eligible to attend again this year. However, if you are an alumnus/alumna who attended the conference in 2023 or 2024, you may only attend again if you wish to attend as part of a team (co-worker and administrator from your school). Please email us at [email protected] prior to applying to receive approval. 
Are there eligibility requirements?Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To be eligible, applicants must be K-12 educators—including teachers, principals, or superintendents—who have a desire to learn how to integrate STEM into other subject areas.
Is there an attendance requirement?To fully benefit from the conference programming and resources, conference attendees are expected to attend the entire week.
How do I apply?Ready to join the EXSEED community? Click the link at the top of the page to apply and start your journey!
When is my $100.00 registration fee due?To complete your registration, you will need to enter your payment information at the end of the process.

QUESTIONS?

Contact: [email protected].

Plan Your Trip

Getting to the Loma Linda University Campus

We look forward to your visit to the LLU campus in June! If you will be traveling by air, there are several airports serving Southern California. Each provides options for ground transportation to Loma Linda, CA.

*EXSEED will provide free transportation to and from the LLU campus for flights arriving at or departing from Ontario International Airport (ONT) ONLY during the following times:

  • Arrival: Sunday, June 15th, 2025, between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. PST. 
  • Departure: Friday, June 20th, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. PST.

GET LLU CAMPUS MAP

Conference Site

Loma Linda University
Centennial Complex
4th Floor Conference Center
24760 Stewart St.
Loma Linda, CA 92354

Please review the check-in locations carefully. ------>

  • Free wireless internet
  • Free parking in Lot X, adjacent to building
  • Lunch, dinner, and light snacks will be provided during conference days 

Check-in:
June 16, 2025 (7:30-8:00 AM)
4220 Centennial Complex Conference Center (Subject to change, please watch registration emails for updates.)

  • From parking lot "X", enter the building and head south down the hall; elevators will be at the end of the hall on the left. Take them to the 4th floor. Venue is located directly ahead.
  • From the front entrance (that faces the campus & current street construction), head down the hall; elevators will be on the right. Take them to the 4th floor. Venue is located directly ahead.
Dining 
  • Lunch, dinner, and light snacks will be provided at the conference site (Note:Breakfast provided only at hotel for conference attendees staying there, M-F)
  • Additional on-campus dining: Get LLU Campus Map.
Fitness

Drayson Center
25040 Stewart Street
Loma Linda, CA 92354
Website

Full-week attendees, please review the note regarding family members  ------>

  • Free access to facilities with the use of conference ID badge (M-F)
  • For full-week conference attendees: If family will be staying with you at the hotel and would like to use the facilities at Drayson, there is a fee of $5/day. (Note: Children are permitted to access the pool only, and this is at designated times during the day.)
What to WearDon't freeze! Read this special note  -------->
  • Dress is casual. Warmer clothing is strongly recommended for the conference site (full-length pants, long-sleeve shirts or light sweaters for layering, etc.)

We look forward to learning and working with you!

 Contact: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Clock Hours

Continuing Education & Clock Hours

We are pleased to offer professional development recognition for your participation in the full conference program.

  • Earn Credit: Attendees are eligible to earn 34 non-academic clock hours upon successful completion of the entire conference schedule.

  • Documentation: To streamline your reporting, a formal Clock Hours Document will be provided at the conclusion of the event.

  • Submission: You can use this document to log your specific sessions and hours. Once completed, please submit it directly to your union registrar to ensure your professional development records are updated.

Technology

Technology & Device Requirements

To ensure you can fully participate in our interactive sessions and hands-on workshops, please review the following technical requirements:

  • Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): All participants are required to bring their own laptop. Our workshops are designed for desktop operating systems to ensure all software and tools function correctly.

  • iPad Notice: Please note that iPads will not be provided, and many session tools are not fully compatible with mobile or tablet interfaces. A laptop is essential for the best experience.

  • Mac Users & Connectivity: If you are using a MacBook, please remember to bring a USB-C to USB Adapter or a multi-port hub. This is necessary for connecting to shared hardware or transferring files during specific breakout sessions.

  • Power & Charging: To keep you powered up throughout the day, charging stations will be located at every table. Please remember to bring your own power cables and adapters so you can stay connected right from your seat.

Contact Information

We’d Love to Hear from You

Do you have a question about our upcoming conference? Whether you need help with registration, information on our speakers, or details about the event schedule, our team is here to assist. Reach out and let’s make this our best conference yet! Email us at [email protected].