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Save the date for our 2027 EXSEED Educator Conference: June 21-25, 2027!
Connect with a community of forward-thinking peers to refine your approach to teaching and innovation at the in-person EXSEED Summer Educator Conference, June 15-19, 2026. This immersive professional development experience is designed 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 you to transform your classrooms and inspire the next generation of problem solvers. Join a community of innovative educators dedicated to changing the face of education.
The nominal $150 registration fee (non-refundable) includes conference programming, hotel accommodations, lunch, and dinner. You will also have the opportunity to earn 34 non-academic clock hours with completion of the entire conference.
Conference Essentials
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.
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 between 2023-2025, 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.
- Cost: $150 registration fee (non-refundable). Includes hotel accommodations, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is available at the hotel. Airfare and airport transportation are the responsibility of the attendee. However, we do offer transportation for those arriving and departing during specific time windows - see the Parking, Directions, & Transportation section below for more information.
- 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.
- 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.
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- There is free parking in parking lot X, adjacent to the Centennial Complex building. View our campus map to view lot X and other potential parking options.
- Finding the Venue: After you park, enter the building and head south down the hall. The elevators will be at the end of the hall on the left. Take them to the 4th floor. The venue is located directly ahead.
- If you're entering from the front entrance (facing the campus), head down the hall. Elevators will be on the right. Take them to the 4th floor and the venue is located directly ahead.
Airport Transportation
For those traveling by air, there are several airports serving Southern California. Each provides options for ground transportation to Loma Linda, CA.
| Local Airports | Distance to LLU | |
| Ontario International Airport (ONT) | 22 miles | |
| Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) | 52 miles | |
| John Wayne International Airport (SNA) | 55 miles | |
| Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | 76 miles |
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 14th, 2026, between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. PST.
- Departure: Friday, June 19th, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. PST.
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.
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.
Dress is casual, but warmer clothing is strongly recommended for the conference site (full-length pants, long-sleeve shirts or light sweaters for layering, etc.). Don't freeze!
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].
Conference Program
View the full conference schedule (coming soon).
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| *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.
Plenary and Workshop 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
Workshop Speakers
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
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 grades 3-8 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.
Plenary Sessions
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
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. Topics include: Competency-based education, personalized learning, scrum, multiple intelligence in the classroom, generative AI, and much more.
Activities
- Grade 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.
- Grade 7 – 12 teachers will learn how to use the Arduino Microcontroller to create a medical device that address pusher syndrome.
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!
Speaker: Roger Seheult, MD
MedCram Co-Founder & Instructor
Dr. Seheult is a quadruple board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. As the co-founder of MedCram, he helps over 1 million YouTube subscribers "demystify" medical concepts. Currently an Associate Professor at UC Riverside and Loma Linda University, Dr. Seheult is passionate about bringing world-class medical education to the local community.
Session 1: Light & Circadian Rhythm, Sunlight & Chronic Disease
In this engaging Health STEM session, Dr. Roger Seheult equips educators with a deeper understanding of how light, circadian rhythm, and sunlight influence human health and chronic disease. Drawing from research in physiology, sleep medicine, and preventive health, he explains how light affects hormones, metabolism, immune function, inflammation, and overall wellness. Educators will come away with a clear scientific framework and practical concepts they can use to help students and audiences better understand the connection between modern living, disrupted biological rhythms, and long-term health outcomes. This presentation is designed to inform, inspire, and strengthen the teaching of evidence-based health principles.
Session 2: Sleep, Diet, & Diabetes
In this practical and evidence-based Health STEM presentation, Dr. Roger Seheult helps educators explore the important relationship between sleep, nutrition, and diabetes. He explains how sleep loss and dietary habits influence insulin sensitivity, blood sugar control, appetite regulation, weight gain, and metabolic disease. With clarity and clinical insight, Dr. Seheult provides educators with concepts and teaching points that can help others better understand both the causes of diabetes and the lifestyle strategies that can help prevent or improve it. This session is especially valuable for those seeking to communicate health science in a meaningful, understandable, and actionable way.
Session 3: The Human Body & the Sanctuary
In this distinctive Health STEM session, Dr. Roger Seheult offers educators a thoughtful exploration of the parallels between the human body and the biblical sanctuary. Bringing together biblical themes and the wonder of human design, he highlights how the body can serve as a powerful teaching model for deeper lessons on cleansing, restoration, health, and spiritual meaning. Educators will gain a fresh perspective and a rich conceptual framework that can help them communicate these connections to others with greater clarity and purpose. This presentation is designed to encourage both thoughtful reflection and effective teaching.
Join us for an engaging four-day series designed specifically for educators to discover practical ways to illustrate the concept of God as Designer through the lens of natural science . We will explore faith-affirming perspectives on common evolutionary arguments found in modern textbooks, equipping you to guide your students with confidence and clarity.
Speaker: Dr. Timothy Standish
Adjunct Associate Professor - Earth and Biological Sciences
Session 1: Design in Life: A Systems Approach
Speaker: Dr. Raul Esperante
Adjunct Associate Professor - Earth and Biological Sciences
Session 2: Design, Homology, and Analogy: Interpreting the Fossil Record
Speaker: Dr. Raul Esperante
Adjunct Associate Professor - Earth and Biological Sciences
Session 3: Gradual or Abrupt: Interpreting the Fossil Record
Speaker: Dr. Lance Pompe
Adjunct Associate Professor - Earth and Biological Sciences
Session 4: Applying GIS to Unveil Design in Earth Systems
Ready to revolutionize your teaching workflow? Our AI Plenary Series is designed to take you from AI-curious to AI-capable with practical, high-impact sessions. Discover how to reclaim your time with AI as Your Assistant, explore cutting-edge efficiency with AI as Your Grader, and learn how to provide personalized support using AI as Your Tutor. We’ll wrap up the series with a candid, high-level panel discussion on the ethics and pitfalls of these new tools—asking the tough question: What could go wrong?
Session 1: AI as Your Assistant
Session 2: AI as Your Grader
Session 3: AI as your Tutor
Session 4: AI Panel - What Could Go Wrong?
Workshops
This seminar is designed to equip educational leaders, teachers, and conference stakeholders with a comprehensive framework for transforming traditional schools into STEM+C-focused innovation ecosystems. Grounded in John P. Kotter’s Leading Change model, this experience provides a strategic and actionable roadmap for initiating, implementing, and sustaining meaningful school transformation.
Participants will explore how to lead change in their local contexts by building urgency, forming strategic coalitions, developing a compelling vision, and implementing systems that support problem-based learning, real-world application, and multi-year competency pathways. More than a conceptual discussion, this seminar is highly practical, guiding participants through the design of a customized transformation plan that can be immediately implemented within their schools.
By the conclusion of the seminar, participants will be prepared to return to their campuses with the tools, strategies, and confidence needed to launch and sustain a STEM+C innovation model aligned with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This seminar consists of two integrated workshop sessions:
Workshop 1: Building the Foundation for School Transformation
This session focuses on laying the groundwork for transformation. Participants will examine the urgency for change in education and develop the foundational elements required to launch a STEM+C innovation school. Using the first phases of Kotter’s Leading Change framework, participants will learn how to build a guiding coalition, craft a compelling vision, and design an initial innovation model tailored to their school context.
By the end of this session, participants will have begun developing a draft transformation blueprint aligned with STEM+C pathways, problem-based learning, and real-world workforce connections.
Workshop 2: Implementing and Sustaining School Transformation
This session focuses on execution and long-term sustainability. Participants will move from vision to implementation by applying the remaining phases of Kotter’s Leading Change framework. Emphasis will be placed on removing barriers, generating short-term wins, launching pilot programs, and scaling innovation across the school. Participants will also explore how to embed STEM+C into the culture and identity of their institutions to ensure lasting impact.
By the end of this session, participants will have a practical implementation and scaling plan that positions their school for sustained transformation rather than temporary change.
What EXSEED Attendees Say
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 . . . I am thrilled to announce that design thinking is fully incorporated campus-wide . . . I truly could not have accomplished what I have done at my school without the incredible support from the EXSEED team . . .
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