ENGAGE 2026 Professional Learning Conference: Full Schedule

Lunch Options or Bring Lunch for Game Show theme Party happening in the Student Union!

8:30am CDT

Introduction to ADI for Science Teachers

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

Argument Driven Inquiry is a seven stage lab experience that plays an important role in helping students use disciplinary ideas along with their own idea to figure something out about the world around them. Experience how to guide students through the process as they use different disciplinary practices and lieracy skills to collaborate and move their thinking forward.

Presenters

Helen Wright

Instructional Coach, Northwest ISD

Courtney Toht

Secondary Science Instructional Coach

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Rm. 803 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, Science

Audience All Levels
TOPIC Content Literacy

2:45pm CDT

Differentiation Strategies for Gifted Learners (3-5 Math/Science)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

Rm. 806 - Northwest High School

Participants will explore practical strategies to differentiate instruction for gifted learners and reflect on how to apply these strategies in their own classrooms.

Presenters

Jennifer Casey

GT Specialist, Northwest ISD

Joanna Espinoza

G/T Specialist, Northwest ISD

I am a G/T Specialist who loves to differentiate, find new and innovative ways to help students pursue their passions, and facilitate scholarly growth in G/T learners! I also love creating cross-curricular lessons to make learning more engaging and teaching more time-efficient.

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
Rm. 806 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, Math, Science | Instruction, Math, Science

Audience Elementary
TOPIC GT Update

8:30am CDT

Hands-On ADI Exploration: Unveiling 6th Grade Science Labs!

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

Rm. 801 - Northwest High School

Experience 6th grade curriculum-embedded ADI labs firsthand during this interactive session. Gain insights into your students' perspectives as you participate in the labs, helping you better understand their needs and plan dynamic learning experiences.

Presenters

Helen Wright

Instructional Coach, Northwest ISD

Courtney Toht

Secondary Science Instructional Coach

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Rm. 801 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, Science | Instruction, Science

Audience Secondary
TOPIC Content Literacy

10:15am CDT

Hands-On ADI Exploration: Unveiling 7th Grade Science Labs!

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 801 - Northwest High School

Experience 7th grade curriculum-embedded ADI labs firsthand during this interactive session. Gain insights into your students' perspectives as you participate in the labs, helping you better understand their needs and plan dynamic learning experiences.

Presenters

Helen Wright

Instructional Coach, Northwest ISD

Courtney Toht

Secondary Science Instructional Coach

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 801 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, Science | Instruction, Science

Audience Secondary
TOPIC Content Literacy

10:15am CDT

Promoting Visual Literacy in the Science Classroom

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School

Our students live in a world that is saturated with visual images. Being able to analyze and interpret photos, diagrams, graphs, illustrations, and other visuals is critical to students’ understanding of the world around them. In this session, participants will learn practical strategies to empower our students to actively analyze and create images to deepen their understanding of science content. Participants will receive practical strategies and ready-to-use activities to boost visual literacy skills.

Presenters

Think Big Learning

We are an education company that provides high quality, research-based professional development and engaging classroom resources, specializing in science and gifted education.

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, Science | Instruction, Science

Audience All Levels
TOPIC GT Update

1:00pm CDT

Hands-On ADI Exploration: Unveiling 8th Grade Science Labs!

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Rm. 801 - Northwest High School

Experience 8th grade curriculum-embedded ADI labs firsthand during this interactive session. Gain insights into your students' perspectives as you participate in the labs, helping you better understand their needs and plan dynamic learning experiences.

Presenters

Helen Wright

Instructional Coach, Northwest ISD

Courtney Toht

Secondary Science Instructional Coach

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Rm. 801 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, Science | Instruction, Science

Audience Secondary
TOPIC Content Literacy

1:00pm CDT

Making Your Resource (Savvas) Work for You!

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Rm. 1108 - Northwest High School

Learn how to make your district resources work for you and your students without losing the pedagogical purpose

Presenters

Amanda Dominguez

Sabrina Dowell

6th Grade Science

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Rm. 1108 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, Science | Instruction, Science

Audience All Levels
TOPIC Differentiation

2:45pm CDT

Hands-On ADI Exploration: Unveiling Biology and Chemistry Science Labs!

Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

Rm. 801 - Northwest High School

Experience Biology curriculum-embedded ADI labs firsthand during this interactive session. Gain insights into your students' perspectives as you participate in the labs, helping you better understand their needs and plan dynamic learning experiences.

Presenters

Helen Wright

Instructional Coach, Northwest ISD

Courtney Toht

Secondary Science Instructional Coach

Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
Rm. 801 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, Science | Instruction, Science

Audience Secondary
TOPIC Content Literacy

2:45pm CDT

Speaking of Science: Promoting Academic Conversation

Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School

How do we empower all students to speak with confidence in our classrooms? Current research is clear on the benefits of getting students talking about the content. It helps our students become better readers and writers, has a significant impact on retention and prepares them for the real world! This interactive, engaging session is full of practical, ready-to-use strategies to promote academic conversation with all students.

Presenters

Think Big Learning

We are an education company that provides high quality, research-based professional development and engaging classroom resources, specializing in science and gifted education.

Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, Science | Instruction, Science

Audience All Levels
TOPIC GT Update

10:15am CDT

Ambitious Science Teaching: Book Study Collaboration

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1116 - Northwest High School

We will meet as a culmination of the book study to discuss topics from the book. You will be provided questions before the session to help guide the conversation.

Presenters