The California STEAM Initiatives Team is led by Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation staff and is supported by a dynamic team that assists with vision, marketing, registration, and event coordination. 

Contact Our Team

• General STEAM Symposium questions: email steamsymposium@cdefoundation.org
• STEAM Initiatives questions: email Glennon Stratton

Sponsorship, Partnership & Exhibitor questions: email Glennon StrattonI

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AI-Focused Community of Practice Opportunity
For School Leaders and Teacher Coaches

Application submission deadline is now closed.

Due to the overwhelming response to our winter and spring AI Communities of Practice (CoP), we are thrilled to announce that the Californians Dedicated To Education Foundation (CDEF) is opening one final AI-focused CoP cohort to be hosted online this summer! This is a new School Leadership & Teacher Coaches Summer Intensive opportunity specifically targeted for reflection and strategic planning for the 2026-2027 school year.

How is this different from our previous AI- focused CoP cohorts?

• Target Audience: This online opportunity is now open to both School Leaders (Principals, VPs, Administrators, etc.) and Teacher Coaches (i.e., TOSAs, Instructional Coaches, etc) who play a crucial role in providing support for educators at their site or in their district.

• Intensive Format: Four consecutive days: July 27–30) from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST.

• Action-Oriented: This CoP moves beyond general AI exploration into active planning, skill-building, policy exploration, and AI implementation.

The Essentials

• Mandatory Dates: Monday – Thursday, July 27 – 30, 2026. Please ensure you can commit to all four days before applying.

• The Format: 12 synchronous hours (9 AM – 12 PM PST daily) over four days via Zoom.

• Incentive: $750 stipend for full, active participation (no partial stipends or makeup assignments). This AI-focused learning program is made possible with support from Google.org.

• Stipend Eligibility: Participants are responsible for checking with their employer regarding eligibility to receive a stipend. You may opt out of receiving a stipend and still participate. Stipend payments will be distributed by November 2026.

• Eligibility: New participants only. If you joined one of our previous AI-focused CoP cohorts, you are not eligible for this special summer session.

• Selection Notification: By May 28, 2026.

Your Team’s Deliverable

We know how valuable your time is, which is why Day 2 is dedicated entirely to deep collaborative teamwork in your assigned team. By the end of the week, teams will have co-created a 45-minute presentation to facilitate with the CoP on Day 3 or Day 4, covering one or more of the following:

• Lessons Learned: Key takeaways from your team’s AI exploration.

• 2026/2027 Roadmap: Your concrete plans for AI implementation in the coming school year.

• Tool Review: Analysis of the specific AI tools you’ve tested.

• Policy Feedback: Optional time to get expert and peer feedback on your local AI policy or ethical framework.

 

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The World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies AI and big data as the fastest growing skill areas, alongside networks, cybersecurity, and technology literacy. Foundational competencies such as creative thinking, flexibility, resilience, curiosity, and lifelong learning are also expected to rise sharply through 2030—skills TK–12 schools must intentionally foster.

California’s approach emphasizes both learning about AI—how it functions, its benefits, and its risks—and learning with AI, ensuring students and educators use emerging tools effectively and ethically. This dual focus prepares TK–12 learners not only to navigate an AI-driven world, but to shape it. Future developments—including AI-powered fact-checking, personalized and immersive learning experiences, AI-assisted data analysis for student grouping, and new assessment formats supported or evaluated by AI—signal a shift in how schools can personalize learning and support student growth.

Ensuring equitable access to these technologies across TK–12 schools, especially those in rural, urban, and underresourced communities, will be essential to preventing new digital divides. By maintaining a human-first approach, California can integrate AI in ways that elevate teaching, expand opportunity, and create inclusive, supportive, and innovative TK–12 learning environments.

Learn more about updated guidance related to AI in schools.

Who Are The People In Our STEAM Initiatives Community?

California Educators, from PK-12, who are currently, or plan to align their curriculum and instruction with STEAM learning and opportunities, particularly those seeking curricular integration and maker-driven learning environments.

California’s District and County Curriculum Administrators working to challenge today’s students and better prepare them for college and 21st-century careers, scale STEAM professional learning, and discover ways to broaden quality STEAM education on a systemic level.

Higher Education Professionals leading pre-service teaching programs and other pathways to increase and improve the STEAM educator pipeline, as well as those working on inclusive recruitment and persistence initiatives for STEAM majors.

National and California Associations and Non-Profit Organizations that promote STEAM awareness and solutions in California schools.

Community Programs and Foundations that are looking to support and partner with California educators and school districts on successful, scalable programs.

Educational Technology Companies promoting new ways of learning—in and out of the classroom.

STEAM Industry Business Partners who understand the importance of strong STEAM learning and skills needed to succeed in our 21st-century world.

Policymakers who work on innovative partnerships with STEAM industry partners, local schools and districts, and government to support accessible and equitable student learning and STEAM-career experience.

Thank You To Our STEAM Initiatives Steering Committee!

Our Steering Committee members are STEAM leaders and help keep the annual STEAM Symposium connected to the needs of educators as they provide essential feedback. We appreciate the time and expertise of our STEAM Initiatives Steering Committee members:

• Amna Ahmad, Moreno Valley Unified School District Professional Development Specialist
• Rosanna Ayers, University of California, Merced
• Paul Bailey, Western Center Academy, Executive Director
• Chris Breazeale, California Department of Education
• Dave Chun, Director, K-12 Mathematics, Sacramento County Office of Education
• Jon Dueck, Count Play Explore Coordinator
• Jeannine Flores, Los Angeles County Office of Education Arts & STEAM Coordinator
• Amy Frame, Ten Strands
• Carlos Gonzalez, Associate Director, Programming and Special Initiatives, CA MESA
• Doug Henderson, Val Verde Unified School District Director-STEAM
• Jennifer Hunter, Railway School of Math, Science and Technology Principal
• Nathan Inouye, Moorpark Unified School District Assistant Director of Instructional Services
• Merry Kim, UC Davis C-STEM Center, Assistant Director for Partnerships
• Brieana Johnson, The Education Trust-West
• Corinne Lardy, Sacramento State University Associate Professor
• Sara Morrison, San Diego School of the Creative & Performing Arts, Physics Teacher
• Renee Ousley-Swank, California Department of Education
• Jeff Rivero, Merced Union High School District \ UN 17 SDGs Teacher \ Ambassador
• Anthony Quan, Los Angeles County Office of Education STEM Science Coordinator
• Jaspreet Sandha, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Jessica Sawko, Children Now
• Henri Shimojyo, Logos Education Systems STEM/Science Senior Lead Consultant
• Yamileth Shimojyo, Riverside County Office of Education, STEM Administrator
• Jerry Song, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Deepika Srivastava, Redlands Unified School District, STEAM & Innovation Coordinator
• Molly Stitt, California Department of Education
• Sue Thotz, Commonsense.org
• Fred Uy, CSU Office of the Chancellor, Director, Educator & Leadership Programs
• Glenn Warren, Laguna Beach Unified School District, Digital Media & Library Specialist
• Kate Welsh, Exploratorium Institute for Inquiry Senior Science Educator

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The STEAM Initiatives project fosters an inclusive community that values diverse talents and perspectives, promoting collaboration among educators to enrich STEAM education. We encourage the sharing of innovative ideas from all stakeholders, ensuring our events are learner-driven and cater to various learning styles. Focused on local impact, we equip participants with actionable strategies for implementation in their communities. Our commitment to professionalism ensures a high-quality experience in both in-person and online settings, empowering participants to expand STEAM opportunities for every student.

STEAM Initiatives Core Beliefs

• Asset-Based – Everyone’s talents matter. The contributions of varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds enrich all of our convenings.
• Collaboration – We convene educators to uncover connections and expand networks. Collaboration is key to the future success of STEAM education.
• Community – Our goal is to nourish a community of individuals committed to expanding STEAM education opportunities for every student.
• Innovation – Students, parents, educators, administrators, community leaders, and many others are brimming with ideas to advance STEAM. We want to know about them.
• Learner-Driven – There are many learning styles, and our event planners keep this in mind when developing varied opportunities for participants
  to engage.
• Local Impact – Our events equip attendees with actionable strategies they can implement in their districts, schools, and communities.
• Professional – Both our in-person and online events offer a high-quality, specialized environment – from venue to presenters, thematic strands to sponsors, and overall event experience.

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Thank You To Our STEAM Initiatives Steering Committee, Who Guide Our Work!

Our Steering Committee members are STEAM leaders and help keep the annual STEAM Symposium connected to the needs of educators as they provide essential feedback. We appreciate the time and expertise of our STEAM Initiatives Steering Committee members:

• Amna Ahmad, Moreno Valley Unified School District Professional Development Specialist
• Rosanna Ayers, University of California, Merced
• Paul Bailey, Western Center Academy, Executive Director
• Chris Breazeale, California Department of Education
• Dave Chun, Director, K-12 Mathematics, Sacramento County Office of Education
• Jon Dueck, Count Play Explore Coordinator
• Jeannine Flores, Los Angeles County Office of Education Arts & STEAM Coordinator
• Amy Frame, Ten Strands
• Carlos Gonzalez, Associate Director, Programming and Special Initiatives, CA MESA
• Doug Henderson, Val Verde Unified School District Director-STEAM
• Jennifer Hunter, Railway School of Math, Science and Technology Principal
• Nathan Inouye, Moorpark Unified School District Assistant Director of Instructional Services
• Merry Kim, UC Davis C-STEM Center, Assistant Director for Partnerships
• Brieana Johnson, The Education Trust-West
• Corinne Lardy, Sacramento State University Associate Professor
• Sara Morrison, San Diego School of the Creative & Performing Arts, Physics Teacher
• Renee Ousley-Swank, California Department of Education
• Jeff Rivero, Merced Union High School District \ UN 17 SDGs Teacher \ Ambassador
• Anthony Quan, Los Angeles County Office of Education STEM Science Coordinator
• Jaspreet Sandha, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Jessica Sawko, Children Now
• Henri Shimojyo, Logos Education Systems STEM/Science Senior Lead Consultant
• Yamileth Shimojyo, Riverside County Office of Education, STEM Administrator
• Jerry Song, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Deepika Srivastava, Redlands Unified School District, STEAM & Innovation Coordinator
• Molly Stitt, California Department of Education
• Sue Thotz, Commonsense.org
• Fred Uy, CSU Office of the Chancellor, Director, Educator & Leadership Programs
• Glenn Warren, Laguna Beach Unified School District, Digital Media & Library Specialist
• Kate Welsh, Exploratorium Institute for Inquiry Senior Science Educator

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Contact Glennon Stratton at STEAMinitiatives@cdefoundation.org to explore partnership opportunities.

Contact STEAMSymposium@cdefoundation.org with any questions related to the STEAM Symposium.

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Visit the California Mathematics Coherence Initiative