This inspiring and motivating panel of women entrepreneurs share their insights about programming, safe to fail, learn by experimenting/failing, building/creating, and innovating. Their products are leaders in the field of education and collaboration and their personal stories are a true inspiration.

How can school libraries introduce maker-centered education to support student learning? In a hands-on session, Moreau Catholic High School librarian Jessica Simons showcases how the Library and Learning Commons team researched, strategized, purchased and deployed equipment, and promoted the integration of the Maker Lab into the school's curriculum. The session also covers challenges faced during the implementation, lessons learned in Year 1 and plans for the future. This project has been another chapter in the evolution of the school library from a traditional space to a multidimensional support center for curriculum and student engagement.

Sketchnoting is a great way to take notes, share information, and deliver instruction. Also known as visual note-taking, it is also an activity that K-12 students can fall into effortlessly. Unlike adults, they have fewer fears about trying to draw and then sharing their creations. Humans are born with a desire to create, and too often this side of students' development is given short shrift in today's intense testing environment. After a brief introduction explaining sketchnoting, Mary Ann Bell shares successful projects and ideas for using it with PK-12 students. She also shares recent work done by kids that demonstrates ways to use sketchnoting in school for teachers and librarians. Come and gain an understanding of what sketchnoting entails, along with some good ideas for using it with your students.

Presenters Ahrens and Duffin motivated their teachers to use technology through gamification. Their badge reward system, focused on technology integration and skill expansion, created an environment of self-motivation, excitement, and friendly competition, encouraging teachers to build their technology skills and incorporate the use of technology in their instruction through gamification. Hear how they created interest and buy-in schoolwide by including both faculty and staff in their program and carefully designing the criteria for earning badges to be inclusive of all community members.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, only 16% of American high school seniors are interested in a STEM career. Get crazy about STEM, as our speaker takes you on a journey of some of the best science, technology, engineering, and mathematics resources for PK to 12. The journey includes activities, programs, events, lesson plans, teacher guides, classroom activities, video clips, games, and posters. Create a podcast with NASA tools or take self-directed courses in astrobiology, microgravity, or outer space environment. Learn where you can find full-text, government-funded, technical reports about radars, lasers, nuclear energy, and Area 51. At the end of this presentation, you will be able to handle your next STEM challenge!

Information Today, Inc. invites all conference registrants and exhibitors to a special Exhibit Hall opening reception. This is a great time to gather with fellow Internet Librarians and suppliers, renew acquaintances, meet new colleagues, sample tasty goodies, and check out the latest products and services in a relaxed atmosphere. 

Rainie shares new research about where libraries fit into the burgeoning education ecosystem of formal and informal learning. The Pew Research Center is doing a national survey of American adults to explore the lifelong learning needs of Americans and their sense of how different kinds of educational organizations and informal DIY learning can serve their needs. The research places special emphasis on workforce development issues and how libraries are viewed as part of community learning systems.

Explore methods for rethinking and redesigning a library space to better meet the needs of patrons. Learn strategies for gathering input, see examples of library design, and find out inspiring resources for rethinking your library space.

Ursula K. LeGuin reminded us "there have been no societies that did not tell stories." Explore how to use this universal feature of every country and every culture to connect people in meaningful ways. Cordell shares specific tools and techniques to help our school community members-students, staff, parents, and other library users-find common truths as they share their unique stories.

A recent study by EBSCO ties college success to research skills that students develop in grade 9. Students who develop digital research skills early go on to enjoy the confidence to conduct research at a college level. What's more-to the surprise of no librarian-students are most likely to develop the required skills when paired with a librarian. But how does the library make the case for using its resources in a world that's "all Google"? In this session panelists address how librarians can effectively empower students to develop the research skills critical for college success. Panelists showcase how students gain access to vetted information that improves research outcomes. They look at how technology can contribute to teaching research skills and students' ability to learn. And they examine how librarians, educators, and vendors can work together to develop effective library programs.

Starting a makerspace in a school library can be daunting. Physical space, resources, scheduling conflicts, and student and staff partic- ipation are all key issues that must be addressed in order to have a successful makerspace. Hear ideas from teacher-librarian Amy Armstrong on how to start a space, where to find money, what resources have been popular, and how to tie these activities into the school curriculum. Starting a program from scratch has lots of obstacles along the way, and attending this session can help you find the right balance for your library.

Is your school considering becoming a 1:1 school, or has it recently begun the journey? Many libraries are struggling to define their roles as students' information seeking behaviors rapidly change in a new 1:1 environment. You, as librarians and providers of information, must not only keep up but embrace this paradigm shift and become leaders in its implementation. Aptaker discusses three strategies she has used to successfully innovate and re-imagine the school library and its role on a 1:1 campus.

As our libraries and information services are morphing with changing roles and directions, how much do you know about the innovation, transformation, and practices of other libraries? Especially those libraries in different countries? Join our world traveler and storyteller for a look at some exciting spaces, programs and practices in European libraries. Test your knowledge at the challenging audience-interactive quiz included with this event! Join us for this fun learning experience filled with tips and tricks to apply in your library.