This spring, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is thrilled to once again serve as a host site for the multi-county Institute Day, welcoming 300+ educators from across Illinois for a full day of inspiring professional learning featuring over 50 unique workshops and presentations. This free event will take place on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 8:00 AM–2:45 PM, and is open to all Illinois educators—classroom teachers, specialists, administrators, and school staff. This year’s lineup features dynamic sessions centered on 6th–12th grade research, mathematics, science, AI, engineering, and technology, along with engaging workshops on experiential learning, equity, history, and the social sciences.
| 2026 | ||
| Friday, February 27th | ||
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 AM |
Chances are...Culture Counts! Teaching probability using culture games like Mahjong and Yet Nori Dr. Brian Trainor, Illinois Math and Science Academy 9-12 A151 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
Enhancing STEM Learning Through Industrial Robotics David Hernandez, Illinois Math and Science Academy 7-12 A152 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
Five Things LLMs Can Do in 2026 (That They Couldn't Do in 2022) Dr. Eric Rettberg, Illinois Math and Science Academy 8-12 A112 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
Learning to Think Like a Scientist; Spooky Lakes! Felicia Maxa, Dundee-Crown High School 6-12 Math Study area 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
Living, Learning, and Leading with SEL. Lessons From a Residential Community Victoria Layman, Illinois Math and Science Academy 10-12 A 113 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
Organizing and Hosting a Climate Summit Dr. Eric Hawker, Illinois Math and Science Academy 6-12 A110 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
Pick Me Please! Interactive Ways to Teach Natural Selection (HS-LS-4) Dr. Zachary Conley, Illinois Math and Science Academy AC Pit 9-12 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
Programming Made Fun: Exploring Cutebot and Block Coding Kavithaa Suresh Kumar, Illinois Math and Science Academy 6-8 A133 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
Teaching Smarter, Not Harder: Using Google AI Studio & “Vibe Coding” in the Middle School Classroom Dr. Phadmaka Patankar, Illinois Math and Science Academy 6-10 A117 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
Joyce Symoniak, Illinois Math and Science Academy 6-12 E121 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
The Underground Railroad in Illinois. The Illinois network to freedom in the classroom Eric Smith, Illinois Math and Science Academy 6-12 A-149 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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| 8:30 AM |
Use Your Words: Positive Feedback and Engagment Tracy Townsend, Illinois Math and Science Academy 6-12 B133 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
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